 Anne-Michele Boyle

Cheryl Knecht

Innovation DuPage

Pam Dickler

On today's show:
– Anne-Michele Boyle, social science teacher at Chicago’s Whitney Young High School and recipient of the 2026 AFS-USA Global Educator Award
– Cheryl Knecht, founder of Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio
– Dan Facchini and Sara Spampinato of Innovation DuPage on their 9th Annual Big Idea Pitch Contest
– Pam Dickler, writer and performer of “I Killed Andy Breitbart,” Saturdays and Sundays May 2-17 at Apollo Theater Chicago

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: &ndash; Anne-Michele Boyle, social science teacher at Chicago&rsquo;s Whitney Young High School and recipient of the 2026 AFS-USA Global Educator Award &ndash; Cheryl Knecht, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iloveschoolhouse.com/about-us">Schoolhouse Kitchen + Studio</a> &ndash; Dan Facchini and Sara Spampinato of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.innovationdupage.org/">Innovation DuPage</a>&nbsp;on their 9th Annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.innovationdupage.org/programs/bigidea">Big Idea Pitch Contest</a> &ndash; Pam Dickler, writer and performer of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.apollochicago.com/project/ikab/">I Killed Andy Breitbart</a>,&rdquo; Saturdays and Sundays May 2-17 at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apollochicago.com/">Apollo Theater Chicago</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 | May 1, 2026

Rebecca Martin Fagerholm

Elliott Serrano

Charlotte Dennett

On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Dr. Suzana Flores, psychologist and author, and their guests are
– Rebecca Martin Fagerholm, executive director of Cinema Femme; the 2026 Cinema Femme Short Film Fest plays October 11-13 at Chicago's Music Box Theater
– Elliott Serrano, "Driving It Home" Chief Geek Officer
– Charlotte Dennett, investigative journalist, attorney, and author of the book "Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil"

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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On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host&nbsp;<a href="https://drsuzanaflores.com/">Dr. Suzana Flores</a>, psychologist and author, and their guests are &ndash; <a href="https://cinemafemme.com/team/rebecca-martin-founder-managing-editor-and-film-festival-director/">Rebecca Martin Fagerholm</a>, executive director of <a href="https://cinemafemme.com">Cinema Femme</a>; the <a href="https://2026cinemafemmefest.eventive.org/welcome">2026 Cinema Femme Short Film Fest</a> plays October 11-13 at Chicago's <a href="https://musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-festivals/cinema-femme-short-film-festival-2026">Music Box Theater</a> &ndash; Elliott Serrano, "Driving It Home" Chief Geek Officer &ndash; Charlotte Dennett, investigative journalist, attorney, and author of the book "Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil"
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>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
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Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | October 9, 2026

Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Mark Gevaart are joined by Anabel Mendoza, former candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois, and founder of Democracy Unbought, a nonprofit designed to grow engagement in low-voter turnout neighborhoods and educate communities about dark money's influence.

The discussion focused on dark money in Chicago politics and the voter education work of Democracy Unbought. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Mendoza described finishing fifth in an 18-candidate congressional primary while rejecting corporate PAC and other PAC money.
- She attributed the result to voter interest in new leadership and opposition to dark money.
- Democracy Unbought focuses on helping working-class voters understand PAC funding, FEC filings, and deceptive group names.
- Mendoza emphasized meeting voters in churches, neighborhoods, block parties, and other community settings.

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

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

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Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

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Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Mark Gevaart are joined by Anabel Mendoza, former candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois, and founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democracyunbought.org/">Democracy Unbought</a>, a nonprofit designed to grow engagement in low-voter turnout neighborhoods and educate communities about dark money's influence.
The discussion focused on&nbsp;dark money in Chicago politics and the voter education work of Democracy Unbought. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Mendoza described finishing fifth in an 18-candidate congressional primary while rejecting corporate PAC and other PAC money. - She attributed the result to voter interest in new leadership and opposition to dark money. - Democracy Unbought focuses on helping working-class voters understand PAC funding, FEC filings, and deceptive group names. - Mendoza emphasized meeting voters in churches, neighborhoods, block parties, and other community settings.
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>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
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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Anabel Mendoza of Democracy Unbought: WCPT 820 Interview

Anabel Mendoza

Seth D. Harris

Bill Zelenka

On today's show Patti is joined by guest co-host Mark Gevaart of My Labor Radio and their guests are
– Anabel Mendoza, former candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois, and founder of Democracy Unbought, a nonprofit designed to grow engagement in low-voter turnout neighborhoods and educate communities about dark money's influence
– Seth D. Harris, professor of practice at Northeastern University and senior fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change
– Bill Zelenka of Olive’s Garden for the Hungry, a nonprofit community project that grows produce for local area food banks

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).


Today is DAF Day, the national giving day for donor-advised funds, which are the fastest-growing form of philanthropy in the country. DAF Day brings donors, nonprofits, and fund providers together to support the causes people care about most. Heartland Signal and WCPT are supported by The Future Now Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gifts to FNI are tax deductible. For more information, please reach out to our development team at gift@heartlandsignal.com. Or visit: https://heartlandsignal.com/daf-day-wcpt

On today's show&nbsp;Patti is joined by guest co-host Mark Gevaart of <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/my-labor-radio/">My Labor Radio</a> and their guests are &ndash; Anabel Mendoza, former candidate for Congress in the 7th District of Illinois, and founder of <a href="https://www.democracyunbought.org/">Democracy Unbought</a>, a nonprofit designed to grow engagement in low-voter turnout neighborhoods and educate communities about dark money's influence &ndash; <a href="https://burnes.northeastern.edu/people/seth-harris/">Seth D. Harris</a>, professor of practice at Northeastern University and senior fellow at the <a href="https://burnes.northeastern.edu/">Burnes Center for Social Change</a> &ndash; Bill Zelenka of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OlivesNeighborhoodGarden">Olive&rsquo;s Garden for the Hungry</a>, a nonprofit community project that grows produce for local area food banks
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>).
 Today is DAF Day, the national giving day for donor-advised funds, which are the fastest-growing form of philanthropy in the country. DAF Day brings donors, nonprofits, and fund providers together to support the causes people care about most. Heartland Signal and WCPT are supported by The Future Now Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization. Your gifts to FNI are tax deductible. For more information, please reach out to our development team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gift@heartlandsignal.com">gift@heartlandsignal.com</a>. Or visit: <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/daf-day-wcpt/">https://heartlandsignal.com/daf-day-wcpt</a>

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | May 1, 2026

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