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Patti Vasquez checks in with Tim Hogan, executive editor for Heartland Signal to talk about all the latest in progressive politics on Driving It Home.

Patti Vasquez checks in with Tim Hogan, executive editor for Heartland Signal to talk about all the latest in progressive politics on 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

WCPT Interview: Tim Hogan, Executive Editor at Heartland Signal

On today's show:

– Sasha Abramsky, freelance journalist and author; his new book is “American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government”
– Erin Chan Ding, candidate for Illinois state representative in the 52nd House District of Illinois
– Melissa Villanueva, candidate for DuPage County District 1

On today's show:
&ndash;&nbsp;Sasha Abramsky, freelance journalist and author; his new book is &ldquo;<a href="https://orbooks.com/catalog/american-carnage/">American Carnage: How Trump, Musk and DOGE Butchered the U.S. Government</a>&rdquo; &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://erinforillinois.com/">Erin Chan Ding</a>, candidate for Illinois state representative in the 52nd House District of Illinois &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.melissafordupage.com/">Melissa Villanueva</a>, candidate for DuPage County District 1

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez February 6 2026

Illinois Democratic U.S. Senate candidates U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton face off in WCPT's Senate Candidate Forum.

Moderated by WCPT hosts Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez, and Richard Chew, the forum covered a wide range of issues — giving voters a direct look at where these candidates stand.

We thank our sponsors:

Plumbers Local 130. "The Plumber protects the health of the nation." 

And Ironworkers Local 63. "Tradesman and artists working together as one to build the great city of Chicago."

Illinois Democratic U.S. Senate candidates U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton face off in WCPT's Senate Candidate Forum.
Moderated by WCPT hosts Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez, and Richard Chew, the forum covered a wide range of issues &mdash; giving voters a direct look at where these candidates stand.
We thank our sponsors:
Plumbers Local 130. "The Plumber protects the health of the nation."&nbsp;
And Ironworkers Local 63. "Tradesman and artists working together as one to build the great city of Chicago."

2026 U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE FORUM

On today's show:

– Edda Coscioni, owner of Salon EDDA and The Center for Beautiful Living; Edda recently received the Neighborhood Champion Award for outstanding contributions to the Lincoln Park community
– Chris Geidner, Minnesota-based, award-winning journalist who has written for The New York Times, MSNBC, and BuzzFeedNews; he publishes the Law Dork newsletter on Substack

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;&nbsp;Edda Coscioni, owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://salonedda.com/">Salon EDDA</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.centerforbeautifulliving.com/">The Center for Beautiful Living</a>; Edda recently received the Neighborhood Champion Award for outstanding contributions to the Lincoln Park community &ndash;&nbsp;Chris Geidner, Minnesota-based, award-winning journalist who has written for The New York Times, MSNBC, and BuzzFeedNews; he publishes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lawdork.com/">Law Dork</a>&nbsp;newsletter on Substack
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).

WCPT Interview: Tim Hogan, Executive Editor at Heartland Signal

Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez

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