Patti Vasquez is joined by Rachel Ruttenberg, Democratic candidate for the 9th Illinois State Senate seat (currently held by Laura Fine). 

Ruttenberg discussed her background, including her roots in the North Shore district and "20 years of public policy experience putting progressive policy ideas into action." She has worked for Chicago Public Schools, led the legal aid nonprofit Family Defense Center, and held a senior policy role at Heartland Alliance, an anti-poverty and human rights organization, according to her campaign bio.   

Ruttenberg said she supports universal health care coverage and wants to see Illinois become more resilient in its health care systems "so that we're not so threatened by the insanity that's going on in Washington. . . . So I think there are a lot of things we can be doing at the state level . . . to make sure that Illinois is kind of living its values and budgeting from its values, and saying we do need the federal resources and we want to be in a place where we can partner again with the federal government down the line, but in this moment, we need to shore ourselves up and make sure that people are able to access a basic level of care," she told WCPT.

Ruttenberg has the endorsement of Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel and State Representatives Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Tracy Katz Muhl, and Bob Morgan, among others. She faces Patrick Hanley in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary.  

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).

And find the "Driving It Home (Full Episodes)" podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Amazon.

Patti Vasquez is joined by&nbsp;<a href="http://rachelforillinois.com/">Rachel Ruttenberg</a>, Democratic candidate for the 9th Illinois State Senate seat (currently held by Laura Fine).&nbsp;
Ruttenberg discussed her background, including her roots in the North Shore district and "20 years of public policy experience putting progressive policy ideas into action." She has worked for Chicago Public Schools, led the legal aid nonprofit Family Defense Center, and held a senior policy role at Heartland Alliance, an anti-poverty and human rights organization, according to her campaign bio.&nbsp; &nbsp;
Ruttenberg said she supports universal health care coverage and wants to see Illinois become more resilient in its health care systems "so that we're not so threatened by the insanity that's going on in Washington. . . . So I think there are a lot of things we can be doing at the state level . . . to make sure that Illinois is kind of living its values and budgeting from its values, and saying we do need the federal resources and we want to be in a place where we can partner again with the federal government down the line, but in this moment, we need to shore ourselves up and make sure that people are able to access a basic level of care," she told WCPT.
Ruttenberg has the endorsement of Illinois House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel and State Representatives Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz,&nbsp;Tracy Katz Muhl, and Bob Morgan, among others. She&nbsp;faces Patrick Hanley in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary. &nbsp;
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).
And find the "Driving It Home (Full Episodes)" podcast on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5k1YzewRMAa8KsNekQbCkn">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/driving-it-home-full-episodes/id1772728749">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Driving-It-Home-(Full-Episodes)-p4553842/?topicId=433648635">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-driving-it-home-full-epis-224679504/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLNMRm0gNe5wbwcIuJM4upVS">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d8860c92-da64-4745-a369-6c28aacfbd32/driving-it-home-full-episodes">Amazon</a>.

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;