Bridget Lee

Rauly Luna

 Ted Ottaviano

Alice Voena

On this week's show Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Bridget Lee, founder of the Academy for Local Leadership (ALL Chicago)
– Rauly Luna, playwright/director of "Of America: A Mall Delirium," playing at the Rhinoceros Theater Festival October 4, 11, 18 and 25
– Susan Ottaviano, vocalist with with synth pop band Book of Love, coming to MetroSaturday, October 10
– Alice Voena, filmmaker, underground drag artist, and director of the film "Heaven Above Rowen"

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).





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On this week's show Scott Duff is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are &ndash; Bridget Lee, founder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://localleadership.org/team/">Academy for Local Leadership</a> (ALL Chicago) &ndash; Rauly Luna, playwright/director of "<a href="https://rhinofest.com/of-america-a-mall-delirium">Of America: A Mall Delirium</a>," playing at the Rhinoceros Theater Festival October 4, 11, 18 and 25 &ndash; Susan Ottaviano, vocalist with with synth pop band Book of Love, coming to&nbsp;<a href="https://metrochicago.com/">Metro</a> <a href="https://metrochicago.com/event/book-of-love/metro-chicago/chicago-illinois/">Saturday, October 10</a> &ndash; Alice Voena, filmmaker, underground drag artist, and director of the film "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42670228/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_1_unrel_cdt_t_1">Heaven Above Rowen</a>"
Catch &ldquo;Out Chicago&rdquo; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).
 
Follow us:
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From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes from "Out Chicago" (Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central). Scott Duff and Ellen Miller invite you to spend Sunday brunch with your gay best friends! Each week on "Out Chicago" they tackle today’s headlines from a queer perspective and focus on the accomplishments of the vibrant LGBTQ community in Chicago and across the globe

Scott Duff is an OUT AND PROUD comic, actor and activist who performs throughout Chicagoland and around the country. 

Ellen Miller is an OUT AND PROUD accomplished musician who has had successful careers in the fields of radio advertising, and real estate.

"Out Chicago" is Chicago's only live broadcast for the LGBTQ community!

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes from "Out Chicago" (Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central). Scott Duff and Ellen Miller invite you to spend Sunday brunch with your gay best friends! Each week on "Out Chicago" they tackle today&rsquo;s headlines from a queer perspective and focus on the accomplishments of the vibrant LGBTQ community in Chicago and across the globe
Scott Duff is an OUT AND PROUD comic, actor and activist who performs throughout Chicagoland and around the country.&nbsp;
Ellen Miller is an OUT AND PROUD accomplished musician who has had successful careers in the fields of radio advertising, and real estate.
"Out Chicago" is Chicago's only live broadcast for the LGBTQ community!

Out Chicago (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, Scott Duff and Ellen Miller invite you to spend Sunday brunch with your gay best friends! Each week on "Out Chicago" (Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central) they tackle today’s headlines from a queer perspective and focus on the accomplishments of the vibrant LGBTQ community in Chicago and across the globe.

Scott Duff is an OUT AND PROUD comic, actor and activist who performs throughout Chicagoland and around the country. 

Ellen Miller is an OUT AND PROUD accomplished musician who has had successful careers in the fields of radio advertising, and real estate.

"Out Chicago" is Chicago's only live broadcast for the LGBTQ community!

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, Scott Duff and Ellen Miller invite you to spend Sunday brunch with your gay best friends! Each week on "Out Chicago" (Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central)&nbsp;they tackle today&rsquo;s headlines from a queer perspective and focus on the accomplishments of the vibrant LGBTQ community in Chicago and across the globe.
Scott Duff is an OUT AND PROUD comic, actor and activist who performs throughout Chicagoland and around the country.&nbsp;
Ellen Miller is an OUT AND PROUD accomplished musician who has had successful careers in the fields of radio advertising, and real estate.
"Out Chicago" is Chicago's only live broadcast for the LGBTQ community!

Out Chicago

Out Chicago | September 27, 2026

Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Bridget Lee, founder of the Academy for Local Leadership (ALL Chicago).

Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
- Lee explained that Chicago is transitioning from a mayor-appointed board to a representative, community-led school board. Following a 2024 hybrid trial run involving 10 elected seats and 11 appointed seats, the upcoming election will feature all 21 seats up for election across 20 districts. 
- The election is scheduled for November 3. 
- Voters will select candidates for their specific district and also vote for the board president. 
- Residents can identify their district by using the Board of Elections website or local news sites.
- Lee introduced the Governance Compass, a framework created by ALL Chicago to help voters evaluate candidates based on five core principles: 
* Setting vision and direction: Working with the superintendent to establish clear educational goals. * Protecting community values: Ensuring schools are a safe, well-resourced, and equitable environment.
* Transparency: Conducting business in public meetings that are available via YouTube.
* Accountability: Using levers like hiring/evaluating the superintendent, passing the budget, and passing policy to ensure the system meets its goals.
* Collective governance: Governing as a team to implement decisions effectively rather than acting as individual political actors.
- Lee suggested several ways for citizens to be involved:
* During the election cycle: Attend candidate forums and ask tough questions regarding a candidate's understanding of their ability to function within a board structure.
* After the election: Watch public board meetings, contact elected officials via their email addresses, or engage with them during community office hours and neighborhood events.
* Resources: Voters can utilize localleadership.org to access resources or consult the Chicago Sun-Times voter guide.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).





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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Bridget Lee, founder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://localleadership.org/team/">Academy for Local Leadership</a> (ALL Chicago).
Here is a brief summary of the conversation: - Lee explained that Chicago is transitioning from a mayor-appointed board to a representative, community-led school board. Following a 2024 hybrid trial run involving 10 elected seats and 11 appointed seats, the upcoming election will feature all 21 seats up for election across 20 districts. - The election is scheduled for November 3. - Voters will select candidates for their specific district and also vote for the board president. - Residents can identify their district by using the Board of Elections website or local news sites. - Lee introduced the <a href="https://localleadership.org/governance-compass/">Governance Compass</a>, a framework created by ALL Chicago to help voters evaluate candidates based on five core principles: * Setting vision and direction: Working with the superintendent to establish clear educational goals. * Protecting community values: Ensuring schools are a safe, well-resourced, and equitable environment. * Transparency: Conducting business in public meetings that are available via YouTube. * Accountability: Using levers like hiring/evaluating the superintendent, passing the budget, and passing policy to ensure the system meets its goals. * Collective governance: Governing as a team to implement decisions effectively rather than acting as individual political actors. - Lee suggested several ways for citizens to be involved: * During the election cycle: Attend candidate forums and ask tough questions regarding a candidate's understanding of their ability to function within a board structure. * After the election: Watch public board meetings, contact elected officials via their email addresses, or engage with them during community office hours and neighborhood events. * Resources: Voters can utilize <a href="https://localleadership.org/">localleadership.org</a> to access resources or consult the Chicago Sun-Times voter guide.
Catch &ldquo;Out Chicago&rdquo; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT&nbsp;(heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).
 
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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Bridget Lee of Academy for Local Leadership: WCPT 820 Interview

Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Susan Ottaviano, vocalist with with synth pop band Book of Love, coming to MetroSaturday, October 10.

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).


Follow us:

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Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

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Scott Duff and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Susan Ottaviano, vocalist with with synth pop band Book of Love, coming to&nbsp;<a href="https://metrochicago.com/">Metro</a> <a href="https://metrochicago.com/event/book-of-love/metro-chicago/chicago-illinois/">Saturday, October 10</a>.
Catch &ldquo;Out Chicago&rdquo; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago). 
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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Susan Ottaviano of Book of Love: WCPT 820 Interview

Eliza Bent

Jason Laurits

Whitney Chitwood

On today's show
– Eliza Bent (playwright) and Paul Oakley Stovall (actor) from "Bonnie's Last Flight," having its world premiere at Rivendell Theatre through October 17 
– Jason Laurits, writer-director of "Loves Company," showing tonight (Sept 20) at Reeling International Film Festival
– Whitney Chitwood, writer-director-producer of "Sam Wants Her Sweater Back," showing Saturday, September 26 at Reeling International Film Festival

Catch “Out Chicago” Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

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Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

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On today's show &ndash; Eliza Bent (playwright) and Paul Oakley Stovall (actor) from "Bonnie's Last Flight," having its world premiere at Rivendell Theatre through October 17 &ndash; Jason Laurits, writer-director of "<a href="https://reeling2026.eventive.org/films/6a6cfcb4ac2583b3c13aa48f">Loves Company</a>," showing tonight (Sept 20) at <a href="https://reelingfilmfest.org/">Reeling International Film Festival</a> &ndash; Whitney Chitwood, writer-director-producer of "<a href="https://reeling2026.eventive.org/films/6a7b45daf4992f35ab677a3b">Sam Wants Her Sweater Back</a>," showing Saturday, September 26 at <a href="https://reelingfilmfest.org/">Reeling International Film Festival</a>
Catch &ldquo;Out Chicago&rdquo; Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/out-chicago).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
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Out Chicago | September 27, 2026

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