In the Loop

After charting the grim reality that there was a 35-year difference in life expectancy for Americans based on zip code, Chicago physician Dr. David Ansell charts a path through this divide in Crossing the Gap: Healing Epidemics and Inequalities in a Divided City. He shares successful community engagement stories from Chicago’s West Side. In the Loop learns more about the ways that hospitals could change how they engage with communities to close the death gap.GUEST: Dr. David Ansell, professor of medicine, Rush University Medical Center; author: Crossing the Gap: Healing Epidemics and Inequalities in a Divided CityPastor Marshall Hatch, senior pastor, New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist ChurchFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

In the Loop breaks down the week’s top stories in the Weekly News Recap. Plus: Sasha-Ann Simons says goodbye to WBEZ listeners during her last show in the host chair. GUESTS: Tina Sfondeles, Chicago Sun-Times national political reporterSarah Karp, WBEZ senior Education reporterBrandon Pope, Fox 32 political reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The Trump administration’s violent immigration enforcement policy was among the top issues that drove people to vote blue in the 2026 midterm elections. With control of the House and the Senate, the Democrats are now positioned to reshape federal immigration policy. But what can they realistically deliver? Today on In the Loop: we hear from local immigration advocates on what they want to see happen on day one of the new Congress. GUESTS: Ahmed Rehab, executive director, CAIR ChicagoErendira Rendon, chief program officer, The Resurrection ProjectCristóbal Cavazos, executive director, Casa DuPage Workers Center 

Democrats took the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in a monumental political shift during the U.S. midterms elections seen as a rejection of Trumpism.Democrats prevailed in statewide positions in Illinois, where JB Pritzker became the first Democratic governor elected to a third term. Meanwhile, Chicagoans chose former Chicago Public Schools principal Jessica Biggs as the first elected president of the Chicago Board of Education. WBEZ hears from local winners and talks with listeners. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

The Black Harvest Film Festival returns for its 32nd year with a curation of more than 75 films and features highlighting the best of Black cinema and culture.  In The Loop sits down with the festival’s curator to get a preview. GUESTS: jada-amina, curator of the Black Harvest Film FestivalFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

The City of Chicago recently approved the largest single payout for police misconduct in city history: $260.8 million. This is all tied to the actions of disgraced former police officer Reynaldo Guevara. But what’s being done to prevent future police misconduct cases?In the Loop gets the latest from a reporter and checks in with the former head of the Chicago Police Department’s constitutional policing and reform efforts. GUESTS: Heather Cherone, WTTW Chicago politics reporterBob Boik, Senior Vice President of Public Safety at the Civic Committee and the Commercial Club For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

A downstate man is charged with sending threatening letters to members of Congress from Illinois. Sixteen candidates meet the deadline to turn in required signatures to run for Chicago Mayor. Plus, Chicago breaks ground on downtown’s first monument honoring a historic woman. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more in the Weekly News Recap. GUESTS: Jacoby Cochran, City Cast Chicago hostAlex Nitkin, government finance and accountability reporter with the Illinois Answers Project of the Better Government AssociationMitch Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporterFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to honor loved ones who have passed away, celebrated each year on Nov 1-2. In Chicago, the weekend will be marked with ofrendas (altars), marigolds, and special performances that create opportunities for collective healing.  In the Loop finds out more about the ancient Mesoamerican roots of the holiday. We also talk about how art is used as a conduit between the physical and spiritual world. GUEST: Teresa Magaña, artist curator, co-founder of Pilsen Arts & Community HouseFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop. 

Across the Chicago area, flu cases and hospitalizations are rising fast. Influenza test positivity is currently 2.1%, outpacing positivity rates at this time in previous years. In The Loop digs into all the need-to-knows this early flu season. GUEST: Dr. Mia Taormina, infectious disease specialist with Duly Health and CareFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

What does it take to tell a story of faith, survival and humanity through opera? Omar is now onstage at Lyric Opera of Chicago, inspired by the extraordinary life and writings of Omar ibn Said, an Islamic scholar captured in West Africa and enslaved in South Carolina. The Pulitzer Prize-winning score weaves together musical traditions that feel both deeply personal and distinctly American. In the Loop talks with one of the composers about bringing this powerful story to life.GUEST: Michael Abels, Pulitzer Prize-winning co-composer, OmarFor a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.