Author: WBEZ Chicago

Illinois Republicans called on Democrats to “end dangerous rhetoric” after an apparent second Trump assassination attempt, while the Illinois Supreme Court heard challenges to the state’s assault weapons ban. Reset goes behind the headlines of those stories and much more in our Weekly News Recap with Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long, ABC7 News anchor Ravi Baichwal, and WBEZ city government and politics reporter Tessa Weinberg. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Garrett mix, caramel and cheddar popcorn, has inspired many knockoffs, and has become known as the “Chicago Mix”. We’ll mark the anniversary of the legendary Chicago company. Reset talks with the owner Megan Chody about what keeps the iconic treat so tasty, and tries a new flavor ahead of its debut on September 23.

From sea-level rise to plastic pollution and environmental justice, young people around the world are making films that tackle environmental harms and offering calls to action. Out of 400 submissions, 10 films have won awards, and will be screened this weekend at the Gene Siskel Film Center, including two films made by Chicagoans. Reset hears what to expect from the screening this weekend and chats with one of the filmmakers who is attending Loyola University.

The Biden administration announced a program called Keeping Families Together in June that would allow some undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to stay in the country while they go through the process of changing their immigration status. A judge in Texas issued an order to pause the program until Monday, Sept. 23. Reset checks in with Elvia Malagón, Chicago Sun-Times social justice, immigration and income inequality reporter to see how Chicago families are being impacted. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

White Sox fans, look away! The team is on pace to have the most losses in a single season in the history of the MLB. Where did things go wrong? Reset digs into the Sox season, what’s not working and what needs to happen to get this team to win a game.

Today marks one year since the Pretrial Fairness Act went into full effect, making Illinois the first state in the country to end cash bail. Many were opposed and believed ending cash bail would affect crime and jails for the worse. But what is the data actually saying? Reset spoke with a panel of guests to break down the effort that ensued in 2016 and what it took to get there, along with what were the blockages, and why. Then, we hear from the research on what we’ve seen in the past year.

The zoning committee oversees small scale renovations on people’s homes and also larger development projects. For months the chairmanship has been vacant, after political turmoil ensnared former chair Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa. Reset gets the latest on the political jockeying and drama that has surrounded the post, and how Ald. Burnett could steer the committee from WBEZ city government and politics reporters Tessa Weinberg and Mariah Woelfel.

Unhoused people who have been living in dozens of tents in Humboldt Park will move into apartments by December, according to city leaders and advocates. The news comes as the city prepares to merge shelter systems for homeless and migrant populations. For more, Reset sits down Carolyn Ross, president and CEO of All Chicago; and Carol Sharp, president and CEO of The Night Ministry. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Between January 2019 and June 2024, Chicago taxpayers have paid $200 million dollars to more than three dozen people who were wrongfully convicted. And dozens more lawsuits are expected. Reset hears why advocates Mark Clements, community organizer at the Chicago Torture Justice Center and Joey Mogul, counsel at People’s Law Office, say these payouts are still necessary in the midst of a budget shortfall and what could minimize the amount the city owes. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.