“Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez” is a progressive talk show with heart and humor. Patti engages guests and listeners in discussions about the issues that matter most to them, shining a spotlight on local and national stories, never steering her audience astray.  The show is also broadcast on AM 950 The Progressive Voice of Minnesota KTNF, KFNN 1510 AM Phoenix, and Atlanta’s WMLB AM 1690.

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Notable interviews: W. Kamau Bell; Sec. of Transportation Pete Buttigieg; U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinksi (D-IL); U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX); Wisconsin Judge Susan Crawford (as candidate); former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn; Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan; Stormy Daniels; comedian John Fugelsang; Indiana State Rep. Phil GiaQuinta; minority leader of the Indiana House; radio host and podcaster Jody Hamilton; Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL); Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL); Pennsylvania State Rep. and DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta; U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA); Politics Girl Leigh McGowan; U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL); Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Devin Remiker; actor Michael Rooker; U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL); U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI); U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton; U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH); state Rep. James Talarico (D-TX); U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL); comedian Damon Williams; legal analyst Jill Wine-Banks; reproductive rights activist Amanda Zurawski

About Patti
Patti Vasquez is a Chicago comedian, writer, actor, talk show host, consultant, and advocate. After earning 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 comedy clubs and colleges across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, appeared on Nickelodeon, TBS, ABC, and 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 took her communication and performance experience and launched With Kind Words, helping 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. She now hosts Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez on WCPT 820 AM weekdays from 5–7 PM, syndicated to Minneapolis and Seattle, and has joined the WCPT sales team. She also provides commentary for the Heartland Signal newsroom.

In addition to her work as a performer and consultant, Patti has long advocated for children and families throughout Illinois — helping restore funding for vital support services after massive cuts under former Governor Bruce Rauner. In 2020 she ran for state representative of the 19th District, and she previously served as health care and human services liaison and assistant policy adviser to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Patti lives with her family on the Northwest Side of Chicago and continues to advocate for her community.

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Featured Interviews

Congressman Eric Sorensen, Democrat representing the 17th District of Illinois.

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Filling in for Patti, Elliott Serrano and Ken Mejia-Beal chat with Stormy Daniels, ahead of her appearance at Zanies Rosemont (now passed).

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Patti and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined in studio by Christian Mitchell, former Illinois state representative (2013-2019), deputy governor in J.B. Pritzker’s administration (2019- 2023), and 2026 candidate for lieutenant governor of Illinois (as Pritzker’s running mate).

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Iowa Senator Catelin Drey, a Democrat from Sioux City.

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On the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Patti Vasquez and guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal are joined by Amanda Zurawski, reproductive rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the landmark Zurawski v. State of Texas case. She is also a Free & Just storyteller. 

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U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH), candidate for re-election in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.

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U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL). Kelly spoke about the WELLS (Women Expansion for Learning and Labor Safety) Act that she recently introduced in Congress, and her work on Black maternal health.

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U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL).

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Patti is joined by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

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Patti is joined by Peggy Flanagan, lieutenant governor of Minnesota and candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota.

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Patti and guest co-host Jaime DeLeon are joined by comedian Paula Poundstone.

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 Click here for all of Patti’s Featured Interviews.

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Listen live weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 820 AM, on TuneIn, right here on the Heartland Signal website, or watch the video stream (live or on demand) on Facebook or YouTube. You can also tell Alexa to play WCPT from TuneIn.

Text or phone 773-763-9278.
Email [email protected].

Also follow Patti on TikTok.

“Driving It Home” is sponsored by:
– Minocqua Brewing Company
– Pride Coffee Roasters
– Source Solar
– Are You Really Winning? gambling helpline
– American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

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This week on the show

Mon 11/2
– Dave Glatt, long-time restaurateur (Dave’s Italian Kitchen in Evanston, Illinois) and the subject of an upcoming documentary
– Singer Caroline Freer
– Ed Bannon, 2026 candidate for Chicago School Board 1A

Tue 11/3
Patti broadcasts the show live from Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Administrative District Council 1 of Illinois, 660 Industrial Dr. in Elmhurst, and her guests include:
– Mike Volpentesta of Bricklayers
– U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), 2026 candidate for re-election
– Joel Ostrow, political scientist and “World Discord Podcast” co-host

Wed 11/4
Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests include
– Nubia Batista Willman, immigration attorney, advocate, and 2027 candidate for Chicago 25th Ward

Thu 11/5
– Christopher Pazdernik, member of the Artistic Council for the Sarah Siddons Society, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to theater students at five Chicago-area universities and professional development grants to early-career artists; Patti is the emcee for their 2026 Sarah Siddons Society Award Benefit Honoring
Victoria Clark, Monday, November 9
– Ben Cominos, host of “Outside The Box with Ben Cominos” on Substack

Fri 11/6
– Mark Gevaart, producer-host of My Labor Radio, an independent Community Access Radio program that airs every Wednesday on WELT 95.7 FM in Fort Wayne Indiana, and Sundays at 6:00 a.m. Central on WCPT

Last week on the show

Mon 10/26
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– Dan Didech, chair of the Lake County Democratic Party and state representative for Illinois District 59
– Dr. Jason Bussell, director of Chicago Community Acupuncture
– Jim Haadsma, candidate for Michigan House of Representatives District 44 [Listen]

Tue 10/27
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Patti is joined by guest co-host Dan Schaefer and their guests are
– Mary Jo Wenmouth, chair of Kendall County Democrats
– Anita Loch, chair of the Democratic Party of Walworth County Wisconsin
– Maria Peterson, Democratic candidate for Illinois House of Representatives District 52

Wed 10/28
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Patti is joined by guest co-host Ken Mejia-Beal and their guests are
– Scott Houldieson, Democratic candidate for Indiana State Senate District 1 
– Chicago Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth of the 48th Ward
– Car Guy Tom Appel, host of the Consumer Guide Car Stuff podcast
– Jodi Emerson, Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 91st Assembly District

Thu 10/29
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Patti is joined by guest co-host Adam Selzer and their guests are
– Dee Darling, candidate for McHenry County Board District 1
– Ed Bannon, 2026 candidate for Chicago School Board 1A
– Tracy Rangel, chair of Boone County Dems
– Amy Johnson, Democrat running to be Kane County (Illinois) sheriff

Fri 10/30
Patti broadcasts from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and her guests are
– Mark Guethle, chair of the Kane County Democrats and president of IDCCA, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association
– Tom Perez, former United States Secretary of Labor and former chair of the Democratic National Committee
– Mary Cay Marubio,  judge for the 10th Subcircuit of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois; Perla Tirado, judge for the 14th Subcircuit of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois; and Nichole Patton,
judge for the 15th Subcircuit of the Cook County Judicial Circuit Court in Illinois. All three are on the November ballot for re-election

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“Driving It Home” now has its very own podcast. Two, in fact: Driving It Home (Full Episodes), available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Amazon, and Driving It Home (Featured Interviews), also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, YouTube, and Amazon. Subscribe to one or both!  “Driving It Home” is also available at Omny.fm.