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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
January 24, 2026
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Dee Atkins and Jeffery Beckham join roundtable regulars Claude Robinson, Sufyan Sohel, and Swathi Staley to examine major issues facing Chicago. The episode features a one-on-one conversation with Center for Better Aging Executive Director Estrelitta Harmon on aging in the city, and Chief Joy Correspondent Hasani Olujimi shares uplifting community news.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
January 19, 2026
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Glenn Eden and Karen Freeman Wilson examine the latest killing of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents, the CPS Board Chair’s efforts to address press leaks, and the implications of the newly approved 2026 city budget. The roundtable also covers mayoral candidate Joe Holberg’s vision for Chicago, state and county efforts to protect voter rights, and expanding kidney donation access in Black and Brown communities.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
January 12, 2026
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Dr. Suzet McKinney and Mark Ishaug break down the high-stakes debate surrounding Chicago’s 2026 budget, including the CPS property tax controversy and the fight for control of the City Council’s Zoning Committee. The conversation includes an in-depth interview with Aldermen Nicole Lee and Pat Dowell, key architects of the proposed budget, along with discussions on supporting first-generation college students and the Pullman Foundation’s transformative $10 million investment.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
January 9, 2026
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Dr. Suzet McKinney and Mark Ishaug break down the high-stakes debate surrounding Chicago’s 2026 budget, including the CPS property tax controversy and the fight for control of the City Council’s Zoning Committee. The conversation includes an in-depth interview with Aldermen Nicole Lee and Pat Dowell, key architects of the proposed budget, along with discussions on supporting first-generation college students and the Pullman Foundation’s transformative $10 million investment.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
December 12, 2025
On the fall season finale of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Darrious Hilmon and Hugo Balta tackle the issues that matter most to Chicago. From hemp sales bans and teen curfews to the fight over Chicago Housing Authority leadership—our roundtable breaks it down. Plus, a groundbreaking blueprint for Black men’s equity, Friend Health’s new Back of the Yards facility, the latest Inside Oversight report, and Crain’s notable Black leaders reflect on the year that was.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
December 5, 2025
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest hosts Hugo Balta and Dr. Suzet McKinney lead a wide-ranging conversation on the issues shaping Chicago right now. With Claude Robinson, Swathi Staley, and Sufyan Sohel, the panel breaks down the latest crises at CPS and City Hall. Immigration rights attorney Naiara F. Testai shares updates on her firm’s fight to protect immigrants detained by ICE, while Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug and Sterling Haukom-Anderson address looming HUD policy changes and the importance of mental wellness. The episode also features a cultural spotlight with Sidney Jackson, the new CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, who shares his vision for the organization’s future.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
November 14, 2025
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Darrious Hilmon and Sufyan Sohel break down ICE enforcement across Chicagoland, the brewing battles over Mayor Johnson’s 2026 budget, and the post-election blue wave reshaping political momentum. The conversation also turns to community care and health equity, examining how local leaders and organizations are responding to shifting needs across the city.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
November 14, 2025
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Andy Zopp and Hugo Balta break down the latest developments shaping life across Chicagoland. The roundtable examines ICE enforcement activity in local neighborhoods, Mayor Johnson’s proposed corporate head tax, and the state legislature’s newly approved $1.5 billion transit bailout. The episode also spotlights nonprofit organizations stepping in to support families struggling after cuts to SNAP benefits, offering a grounded look at the policies and pressures impacting Chicago communities.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
October 31, 2025
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, host Andy Zopp and guest co-host Shamil Clay unpack the fallout from the month-long government shutdown, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign funding controversy, and growing community pushback against ICE. The episode also features insightful conversations with Xchange Chicago about job opportunities, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater’s 30th season, and the Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards—spotlighting the intersection of politics, culture, and civic engagement in the city.
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Chicago Newsroom 2.0
October 24, 2025
In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Darrious Hilmon and Dr. Suzet McKinney take a deep dive into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed 2026 budget, unpacking what it means for Chicago’s future. They break down the latest on the looming government shutdown, analyze immigration’s local impact, and confront critical community challenges — from special education funding to mental wellness and domestic violence awareness.
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