Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez (Featured Interviews)
From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are featured interviews from "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.
Episodes
Patti Vasquez is joined by Patrick Cortesi, chair of the Democratic Party of McLean County.
The discussion highlighted McLean County Democrats’ organizing strategy, local economic concerns, and candidates for upcoming elections. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- County residents are focused on rising grocery, fuel, fertilizer, insurance, and farming costs.
- Rivian remains strong locally, with cont...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Dan VanTilburg, vice chair of the DeKalb County Illinois Democratic Party. Patti will be the keynote speaker at DeKalb Democrats’ Paul Simon Awards Dinner & Fundraiser Sunday, October 4.
The discussion examined voter concerns and Democratic organizing in DeKalb County. VanTillburg described listening efforts across the county, with gas prices, immigration enforcement, and the Palestin...
Patti Vasquez is joined by folk music and social justice activist duo Emma’s Revolution (Pat Humphries and Sandy O.), who will perform at the 2nd Annual Concert for Democracy Sunday, October 11 at Belvedere Events & Catering in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The event benefits Partners for Our Communities, which provides legal help, know-your-rights training, food assistance, and English classes. The concert is intende...
Patti Vasquez is joined in studio by Amy Blythe, assistant vice president of early learning services at Easterseals Chicago & Rockford Regions. The discussion examined how proposed federal changes to Head Start could affect service quality, funding, families, and children with disabilities.
Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Blythe said Easterseals’ Chicago and Rockford programs serve more th...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Ben Brist, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly District 61. He discussed his campaign priorities for making life more affordable while protecting local communities.
Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Brist, a West Point graduate and former Army paratrooper, described his military service, local government experience, and decision to run amid concerns about democracy a...
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), w...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Angela Cummings, executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, along with Jake Lavin, founder and CEO of the Happiness Project, ahead of the Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk at Montrose Harbor, October 3.
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 Maria Elena Bisabarros, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly District 33, who focused in the interview on local impacts of data center incentives, infrastructure, and strained community budgets.
- Bisabarros argued that Wisconsin’s estimated $1.5 billion construction-related sales tax cost and ongoing tax breaks for data centers divert resources from schools, emergency services, in...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Hilario Dominguez, candidate for Chicago School Board president. Here is a brief summary of the conversation:
Campaign priorities
- Expand universal pre-K beginning at age three and improve school meals; higher participation could create a 15- to 20-million-dollar surplus.
- Prevent school closures by expanding sustainable community schools with health clinics, libraries, grocery stores,...
Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Melissa Walker, principal strategist, Giving Circles, at The States Project.
In the conversation Walker explained how giving circles can help regular people influence state legislative outcomes by pooling resources. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Walker described giving circles as groups of peo...
Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Democratic member of the California State Assembly, District 16.
Bauer-Kahan, who serves as chair of the California State Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, discussed California’s approach to regulating artificial intelligence, emphasizing child safety, consumer protection, and values-ba...
Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Ryan Geddie, Texas-based political content creator (find him on YouTube).
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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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Tom Moore, senior fellow for Democracy and Government at the Center for American Progress and former chief of staff to former Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen L. Weintraub.
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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Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Pennsylvania State Sen. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny).
The interview focused on Pennsylvania’s energy affordability, grid modernization, data-center growth, and the political path to addressing these issues. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Sen. Pisciottano said Pennsylvania families are facing highe...
Broadcasting live from The States Forum Convening in New York City, Patti Vasquez is joined by Graig Meyer, executive director of the North Carolina Justice Center.
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 Gwen Levey, Nashville recording artist and activist.
Gwen and Patti discussed sexual violence, survivor advocacy, institutional accountability, and Gwen’s new album, "Wife For Life," released last week and available through streaming services and YouTube; CD and vinyl copies are available for pre-order at www.gwenleveyandthebreakdown.com/merch.
Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekda...
Patti Vasquez is joined in studio by comedian and writer Janice Rodriguez, producer of the 5th Annual Latina Comedy Festival, October 1-3 at Chicago's Lincoln Lodge. Patti will perform on opening night. Get your tickets today: https://latinacomedyfestival.com/tickets.
The conversation highlighted Janice's work building an inclusive comedy festival and creating more opportunities for Latina and women comedians. Here are a few k...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Cliff Cash, comedian and progressive activist. The interview focused on Cliff's political comedy, activism, upcoming protests, and live performances.
Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Cliff described leading protests and bringing demonstrators to Washington, D.C., where he believes congressional offices should face sustained constituent pressure.
- He plans to lead citizens to ...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Randi Olson, chair of DeKalb County Democrats.
Patti will be the keynote speaker at DeKalb Democrats' Paul Simon Awards Dinner & Fundraiser Sunday, October 4.
The interview focused on DeKalb County Democrats’ election efforts, local priorities, voter engagement, and community concerns. Here are a few key points:
- Olson said the party is working to regain the county board...
Patti Vasquez is joined by Devin Remiker, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
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
WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820
Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal
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