Outside the Loop RADIO Albert James PROductions

Mike Stephen talks to Roberta Garner, professor emerita of sociology at DePaul University, about why the Bring Chicago Home initiative failed and then chats with Jerry Smith of The Flock about that band’s upcoming reunion show.  Jerry shares some great stories about his time in the music business.

Mike Stephen welcomes Chalkbeat reporter Reema Amin to discuss the latest on Chicago Public Schools’ position on police officers in schools and how schools are funded and then discovers the Secret History of the 1960s soul group from Evanston: The Drew-Vels.

Mike Stephen learns how the Chicago Housing Authority allows for nefarious deeds on some of its vacant properties from Block Club Chicago investigative editor and reporter Mick Dumke, celebrates 90 years of Andersonville’s Simon’s Tavern, and chats with local musician Brett Ratner about his new instrumental rock.

Mike Stephen learns about a new book about the impact of the local nonprofit Takeout 25 called The Takeout 25 Effect: Mobilizing for Positive Change with author Ravi Parakkat, explores a project mapping high concentration of truck traffic in Chicago called the Chicago Truck Data Portal with Jose Acosta Cordova of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, and discovers the Secret History of local fingerpicking guitar master Charlie Schmidt.

Mike Stephen discusses the possibility of Chicago lowering its speed limit with Active Transportation Alliance managing director of advocacy Jim Merrell, explores the debate around Mayor Johnson’s possible incompetence or inexperience with Chicago Magazine contributing editor Ted McClelland, and revisits the topic of Chicago’s bikeability.

Mike Stephen learns about the significance of Chicago’s community map from and explores the possibility of updating it with Emily Talen, professor of urbanism and director of the Urbanism Lab at the University of Chicago, discusses the importance of literacy on the West Side of the city with founder of The Queen Within, Bridgett McGill, and discovers the Secret History of 1990s psychedelic rockers Plastics Hi-Fi.