Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons 375w6y

Traveling out of O’Hare or Midway but not sure what your rights are when leaving or entering the country? Whether you’re a green card holder, a citizen, or have a visa, traveling can be nerve-wracking with the increased crackdown on foreign nationals, like a new travel ban targeting 12 countries and placing travel restrictions on another seven. Reset finds out what to know about how the ban impacts travelers with executive director of CAIR-Chicago Ahmed Rehab. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you’ve ever wondered about the who, what, and where of Chicago’s fish species, you’re in luck. A new field guide gives a complete of nearly 170 species of fish in northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Reset learns more about the field guide Fishes of the Chicago Region with co-author Philip Willnick. We also pick the brain of Sun-Times outdoor columnist Dale Bowman. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project brings together LGBTQ+ elders and younger adults in Chicago to share stories, build community, and bridge generational divides. Since 2019, it has engaged more than 130 participants through dialogue sessions, collaborative art projects, and university partnerships — helping to preserve the history of LGBTQ+ lives across generations. Reset learns about the project with its co-founder Karen Morris and participants Jonni Pepper-GoLions and Holly Davis. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In 2022, Cook County announced its partnership with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys old uncollectable bills from hospitals and forgives it. Since then, over half a million people have had their medical debts erased – wiping out a more than $664-million burden on residents. Reset learns more from WBEZ's health care reporter Kristen Schorsch; Cook County deputy chief of staff for health Matt Richards; and Dan Weissmann, host and executive producer of An Arm and a Leg podcast. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers missed the deadline to vote on a bill to seal a $770 million budget gap for public transit next year. This has heightened concerns of service cuts of nearly 40% of CTA, Metra and Pace buses and trains. Reset turns to daily CTA rider and strategic advisor for Better Streets Chicago Alex Nelson and Chicago native and lifelong daily CTA rider Maya Roberts to hear their thoughts on the issue. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Not only is spending time outdoors linked to lower stress levels, it can be a way to recognize the importance of nature around us. With all of the events throughout the city, it can also be a great way to meet new people. Reset discusses some of the events around town this month with freelance outdoor and travel journalist Erica Zazo and Reset’s sustainability contributor, director of Loyola University Chicago’s Baumhart Center for Social Enterprise and Responsibility Karen Weigert. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Immigration agents detained at least 10 people in the South Loop after the government sent them instructions via text to show up for a routine appointment. The Chicago Fire’s billionaire owner Joe Mansueto unveiled plans to build a $650 million stadium south of Roosevelt Road. Air quality in the city and suburbs was poor due to Canadian wildfires. Reset breaks down those stories and more with WBEZ midday anchor Lisa Labuz, Axios Chicago reporter Justin Kaufmann and Northwestern University’s Natalie Moore. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Night Out in the Parks program brings free performances and events to parks in all 77 of Chicago’s community areas, creating an opportunity for connection and exposure to different kinds of art. Reset gets a preview of what’s in store this summer from Night Out in the Parks program and event manager Krista Brynski, South Side Jazz Coalition executive director Margaret Murphy and founder of Cabinet of Curiosity Frank Maugeri. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Masked ICE agents detained 10 immigrants in Chicago’s South Loop on June 4, as city lawmakers, protesters and advocates for people in the U.S. without legal status attempted to disrupt the operation. Reset talks to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez of the 33rd Ward, and Ald. Anthony Quezada of the 35th Ward, who were on the scene. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

In the early 1990s Terence Alan Smith, a drag star who went by the name Joan Jett Blakk was involved in the Chicago movement for gay rights. She was a member of Queer Nation, which focused on anti-gay violence, trans rights, bi visibility, healthcare, housing, and more. Blakk never made it on the mayoral ballot in 1991, but her campaign put queer issues into the public consciousness. Reset checks in with former Queer Nation member Robert Castillo to learn more. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As the Chicago Bears work to finalize a site for a new stadium, possibly outside city limits, Chicago’s Major League Soccer team, which currently plays home games at Soldier Field, is developing its own plan for a future home in the city. Reset gets the details from Crain’s Chicago Business commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

From the I & M Canal Trail to the Major Taylor Trail, the Chicago area has a lot of beautiful trails to cycle on that were once train lines or canal paths, and there are plenty of other great rides in the city, on country roads and beyond. Reset talks with Ride Illinois volunteer Christine Hubert of Joliet and cyclist Ron Rodriguez of Oak Lawn about their favorite rides, safety tips and tricks for cyclists new and old. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Since the pandemic, the number of traffic-related deaths has been on the rise in Chicago. But that’s not the case in Evanston, which saw a five-year stretch with no deaths. Reset talks with Evanston city engineer Lara Biggs and Dixon Galvez-Searle, transit advocacy steward for Southwest Collective, about the work underway to reduce traffic collisions and deaths in the city and suburbs. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois lawmakers ed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco s, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with WBEZ statehouse reporter and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Mitchell Armentrout about what the budget means for you and why lawmakers did not a bill to fund public transit. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois pumps hundreds of millions of dollars a year into childcare programs – yet it doesn’t provide enough or relief for thousands of families and providers, according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project. Reset dives into the investigation to find out where families are being left behind. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

If you need a one-stop shop to browse the best concert offerings at a range of venues and different price points, sit back and get ready to scroll. From blues to rock to dance music, WBEZ’s summer concert guide has you covered. Reset learns about summer shows to put on your radar. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Illinois legislators are tackling unfinished business before the end of the spring legislative session. President Trump pardons a former Chicago gang leader. Navy Pier gets a new marina. Reset breaks down these stories and much more with Chicago Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles, Better Government Association president David Greising and City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

he first major wave of Koreans to the United States was in 1903. Later, thousands of Koreans fled the country to escape famine and political turmoil. This is just the beginning of over 100 years of migration of the Korean diaspora to places like the U.S., China, South America and more. Reset gets a brief history on Korean migration, activism and organizing in the Chicago area and beyond with the executive director of the HANA Center Danae Kovak, executive director of the Asian American Advancing Justice Chicago Grace Pai, and associate professor of Asian American History at Northwestern Ji-Yion Yuh, author of the book “Beyond the Shadow of Camptown: Korean Military Brides in America.” For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Niall Harbison is best known as a dog rescuer turned social media star. He shares the heartwarming – and heartwrenching – stories on X and Instagram. Though he mostly operates in Thailand, he’s calling on Americans to help, too. While on the U.S. tour for his new book “Tina, The Dog Who Changed The World.” Harbison is looking to rally local to his cause in helping save the millions of street dogs that need a bit of human help. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

It can take a lot of energy to maintain your lawn. You have to mow it, water it, remove weeds, deal with pests, aerate the soil and much more. On top of it taking up your energy, it also takes up a lot of resources and water. Nearly one third of all residential water use across the country, according to the EPA. That’s almost 9 billion gallons per day. To learn more about grass lawn alternatives and how to make our cottagecore dreams come true, Reset sits down with conservation scientist Becky Barak, Reset sustainability contributor Karen Weigert and Lincoln Square resident Mary Arents, who transformed her yard into a native garden. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.