Serap Erdal

 Veronica Garcia-Martinez

Mike Crowley

On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Dan Schaefer and their guests are
– Serap Erdal, associate professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health – Veronica Garcia-Martinez, activist and Democratic candidate for Illinois House (District 70), following a recent altercation with ICE agents in DeKalb 
– Film reviewer Mike Crowley of You’ll Probably Agree Reviews

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

On today's show&nbsp;Patti is joined by guest co-host Dan Schaefer and their guests are &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://publichealth.uic.edu/profiles/serap-erdal/">Serap Erdal</a>, associate professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health&nbsp;&ndash; Veronica Garcia-Martinez, activist and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Veronica4Illinois/">Democratic candidate for Illinois House</a> (District 70), following a recent altercation with ICE agents in DeKalb&nbsp; &ndash; Film reviewer Mike Crowley of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ypareviews.com/">You&rsquo;ll Probably Agree Reviews</a>
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders. 

Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.  She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.), a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Chicago Fire.&rdquo; When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company &ldquo;With Kind Words,&rdquo; in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion. For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central) is a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders. 

Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC’s “Chicago Fire.” When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company “With Kind Words,” in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion.

For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.  She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.  Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weeknights from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central) is a radio talk show devoted to covering the news of the day and connecting listeners with local leaders.&nbsp;
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, advocate, and policy adviser. After achieving a degree in history from the University of Illinois, she set out to share her hilarious observations about how people behave, and stories about her second-generation Irish dad and Mexican immigrant mom. Patti has headlined in comedy clubs and colleges all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, The Oprah Winfrey Network, and has a recurring role on NBC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Chicago Fire.&rdquo; When her son Declan was born with a rare neurological disorder, Patti decided to take her communication and performance experience to launch her company &ldquo;With Kind Words,&rdquo; in which she helps medical professionals and educators communicate with compassion.
For six years, Patti was the first Latina to host her own talk show on WGN Radio 720. In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti began advocating for children and families throughout Illinois and helped restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts were made by former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran to be the state representative of the 19th District.&nbsp; She is now the health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser for Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.&nbsp; Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | July 16, 2026

Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Dan Schaefer are joined by Veronica Garcia-Martinez, activist and Democratic candidate for Illinois House (District 70), following a recent altercation with ICE agents in DeKalb. 

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

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Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Dan Schaefer are joined by Veronica Garcia-Martinez, activist and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Veronica4Illinois/">Democratic candidate for Illinois House</a> (District 70), following a recent altercation with ICE agents in DeKalb.&nbsp;
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Veronica Garcia-Martinez

Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Dan Schaefer are joined by Serap Erdal, associate professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health. She discusses current air quality conditions related to wildfire smoke, associated public health implications, and steps people can take to reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants. Erdal, an expert in air quality research, and her research team, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health, have created Open Air Chicago, a network of 277 solar-powered PM2.5 and Nitrogen Dioxide air quality sensors across the city that tracks neighborhood-level pollution. The system is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and the second largest in the world, providing real-time data on local air quality conditions.

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

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Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Dan Schaefer are joined by <a href="https://publichealth.uic.edu/profiles/serap-erdal/">Serap Erdal</a>, associate professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences in the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health. She discusses current air quality conditions related to wildfire smoke, associated public health implications, and steps people can take to reduce exposure to harmful air pollutants. Erdal, an expert in air quality research, and her research team, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health, have created <a href="https://t.e2ma.net/click/pz4l6xd/pnfav7ne/p721v1bb" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://t.e2ma.net/click/pz4l6xd/pnfav7ne/p721v1bb&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1784312878846000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Yb8OH3BZcvQE-B7Cwej-7">Open Air Chicago</a>, a network of 277 solar-powered PM2.5 and Nitrogen Dioxide air quality sensors across the city that tracks neighborhood-level pollution. The system is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and the second largest in the world, providing real-time data on local air quality conditions.
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home">heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home</a>).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
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&nbsp;

WCPT 820 Interview: Serap Erdal on hazardous air quality

Zach Bachmann

Ellie Krug

Todd Northcutt

On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Zach Bachmann, 2026 Democrat candidate for Kendall County clerk and recorder
– Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, host of “The Illegal Trans Woman” on KTNF AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and author of “Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life”
– Todd Northcutt, vice president of public relations for Peoria Proud; Peoria’s River City Pride Festival is happening this weekend!

Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

On today's show&nbsp;Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are &ndash; Zach Bachmann, 2026 Democrat candidate for Kendall County clerk and recorder &ndash; Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, host of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.am950radio.com/events/the-illegal-trans-woman/">The Illegal Trans Woman</a>&rdquo; on<a href="https://www.am950radio.com/">&nbsp;KTNF</a>&nbsp;AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota, and author of &ldquo;<a href="https://beingellen.com/">Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Todd Northcutt, vice president of public relations for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peoriaproud.org/">Peoria Proud</a>; Peoria&rsquo;s River City Pride Festival is happening this weekend!
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | July 16, 2026

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