Patti Vasquez is joined by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, 2026 candidate for re-election in the 17th District of Illinois.  The interview focused on Sorensen’s proposals for addressing farm, household, and national security pressures affecting Illinois residents.

Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Sorensen, a former TV meteorologist, described his proposed National Weather Safety Board Act (H.R.7848), which would investigate climate-related disasters and inform resilience legislation.
- He promoted the Homegrown Fertilizer Act to increase fertilizer competition and lower farm input costs, the STOP GAMES Act to accelerate generic drug access, and restoring the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
- Rising fuel, grocery, prescription, and water costs are linked to supply pressures, tariffs, reduced assistance, and federal policy choices.
- The closure of Tyson Foods' Joslin, Illinois, plant eliminated jobs for approximately 2,500 workers and exposed broader issues concerning cattle supply and immigrant labor. 

"[Understand] that at that Joslin plant in Western Illinois, in Rock Island County, Illinois, there were some 20 different languages that were spoken under that roof," Sorensen said. "And so now these people don't have jobs anymore. Where are they going to go? Where is their safety net? But as we go forward, I've been working with the governor, and Governor Pritzker and I have done everything we can. If we can get that plant back open, we're still going to need immigrant labor. But the problem is, this administration just wants them to go back to their home countries. No, their home country is the United States. We have to take care of them here."

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 is joined by U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://sorensen.house.gov/">Rep. Eric Sorensen</a>, 2026 <a href="https://www.ericforillinois.com/">candidate for re-election</a> in the 17th District of Illinois.&nbsp; The interview focused on Sorensen&rsquo;s proposals for addressing farm, household, and national security pressures affecting Illinois residents.
Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Sorensen, a former TV meteorologist, described his proposed National Weather Safety Board Act (H.R.7848), which would investigate climate-related disasters and inform resilience legislation. - He promoted the Homegrown Fertilizer Act to increase fertilizer competition and lower farm input costs, the STOP GAMES Act to accelerate generic drug access, and restoring the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. - Rising fuel, grocery, prescription, and water costs are linked to supply pressures, tariffs, reduced assistance, and federal policy choices. - The closure of Tyson Foods' Joslin, Illinois, plant eliminated jobs for approximately 2,500 workers and exposed broader issues concerning cattle supply and immigrant labor.&nbsp;
"[Understand] that at that Joslin plant in Western Illinois, in Rock Island County, Illinois, there were some 20 different languages that were spoken under that roof," Sorensen said. "And so now these people don't have jobs anymore. Where are they going to go? Where is their safety net? But as we go forward, I've been working with the governor, and Governor Pritzker and I have done everything we can. If we can get that plant back open, we're still going to need immigrant labor. But the problem is, this administration just wants them to go back to their home countries. No, their home country is the United States. We have to take care of them here."
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;