On today's show
– Marta Segal Block, Lisa Nagatomo-Timms, Vivian Burgess, and Kells tha Komic of the Funny is Female Comedy Festival, October 22-25 at Comedyplex in Oak Park, Illinois
– Jason Heaser, Democratic candidate for Minnesota House District 34A

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 &ndash;&nbsp;Marta Segal Block, Lisa Nagatomo-Timms, Vivian Burgess, and Kells tha Komic of the <a href="https://www.comedyplex.com/fif-festival">Funny is Female Comedy Festival</a>, October 22-25 at <a href="https://www.comedyplex.com/">Comedyplex</a> in Oak Park, Illinois &ndash; <a href="https://www.heaserforhouse.com/">Jason Heaser</a>, Democratic candidate for Minnesota House District 34A
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>).
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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 | October 19, 2026

Patti Vasquez is joined by Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, author of “Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life,” and host of “The Illegal Trans Woman” on KTNF AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota. 

The discussion focused on anti-trans political attacks, sexual violence, and Minnesota elections. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Ellie described transphobic attacks tied to her school board campaign and argued that political concessions on trans rights could enable broader restrictions.
- She talked about how GOP politicians use trans people as targets amid concerns about inflation, housing, and health care.
- Ellie and Patti discussed sexual assault, underreporting, and how universities may prioritize reputation and donor interests over accountability.
- Ellie highlighted Minnesota midterm races and expressed concern about the impact on trans-rights lawsuits if Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison loses his bid for re-election.

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:

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Patti Vasquez is joined by Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, author of &ldquo;<a href="https://beingellen.com/">Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life</a>,&rdquo; and 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/">KTNF</a> AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota.&nbsp;
The discussion focused on anti-trans political attacks, sexual violence, and Minnesota elections. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Ellie described transphobic attacks tied to her school board campaign and argued that political concessions on trans rights could enable broader restrictions. - She talked about how GOP politicians use trans people as targets amid concerns about inflation, housing, and health care. - Ellie and Patti discussed sexual assault, underreporting, and how universities may prioritize reputation and donor interests over accountability. - Ellie highlighted Minnesota midterm races and expressed concern about the impact on trans-rights lawsuits if Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison loses his bid for re-election.
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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Ellie Krug: WCPT 820 Interview

Patti Vasquez is joined by Dan Ashurst, executive director of FairVote Illinois. He explained ranked choice voting and the current efforts to enable its use in Illinois, as well as opposition to it.

Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Ashurst said ranked choice voting lets voters rank candidates and can encourage more civil, issue-focused campaigns, though it does not eliminate incivility. He said multi-winner ranked choice voting can support proportional delegate allocation in presidential primaries.
- Evanston, Oak Park, and Skokie adopted ranked choice voting, but implementation faces legal and election-code hurdles. FairVote Illinois is pursuing legislation to clarify local authority and election-administration standards.
- He talked about how the Democratic National Committee almost banned ranked choice voting for the 2028 presidential primary, even in places like Maine and Washington, D.C., where voters have already made it law. Under the proposal, the party would have allowed only first-choice votes to be counted. "Luckily," Ashurst told WCPT, "there was huge backlash to this. We put out a video on social media, boosted it to a number of places in Illinois to make sure people know about this, and once it got to the floor of the DNC, it was a really beautiful moment because it became very, very clear that they did not want to ban pro-democracy reform at this event."  

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:

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Patti Vasquez is joined by Dan Ashurst, executive director of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fairvoteillinois.org/">FairVote Illinois</a>. He&nbsp;explained ranked choice voting and the current efforts to enable its use in Illinois, as well as opposition to it.
Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Ashurst said ranked choice voting lets voters rank candidates and can encourage more civil, issue-focused campaigns, though it does not eliminate incivility. He said multi-winner ranked choice voting can support proportional delegate allocation in presidential primaries. - Evanston, Oak Park, and Skokie adopted ranked choice voting, but implementation faces legal and election-code hurdles. FairVote Illinois is pursuing legislation to clarify local authority and election-administration standards. - He talked about how the Democratic National Committee almost banned ranked choice voting for the 2028 presidential primary, even in places like Maine and Washington, D.C., where voters have already made it law. Under the proposal, the party would have allowed only first-choice votes to be counted. "Luckily," Ashurst told WCPT, "there was huge backlash to this. We put out a video on social media, boosted it to a number of places in Illinois to make sure people know about this, and once it got to the floor of the DNC, it was a really beautiful moment because it became very, very clear that they did not want to ban pro-democracy reform at this event." &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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Dan Ashurst of FairVote Illinois: WCPT 820 Interview

On today's Show:
– Jessica Bailey, Democratic candidate for Indiana state comptroller
– Dan Ashurst, executive director of FairVote Illinois
– Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, author of “Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life,” and host of “The Illegal Trans Woman” on KTNF AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota

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

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On today's Show: &ndash; <a href="https://baileyforindiana.com/">Jessica Bailey</a>, Democratic candidate for Indiana state comptroller &ndash; Dan Ashurst, executive director of <a href="https://www.fairvoteillinois.org/">FairVote Illinois</a> &ndash; Ellie Krug, transgender activist, lawyer, author of &ldquo;<a href="https://beingellen.com/">Being Ellen: A Second Chance at Life</a>,&rdquo; and 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/">KTNF</a> AM950, the Progressive Voice of Minnesota
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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Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez | October 19, 2026

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