On the 21st: Chicago author Marcus Sakey joined us to talk about his newest novel, “Afterlife,” a thriller and love story that takes place between two worlds. Plus, we learned how the distribution of SNAP benefits may be linked to shoplifting. We also talked to a POLITICO reporter who reported on former Obama staffers now running for office and heard from a Springfield doctor who launched his own health care review website.

Illinois has taken steps to prevent 260,000 residents from losing government food assistance. That gives the state a year to prepare these individuals for the job market.

Under federal law, poor people without kids or significant health problems are cut off from food stamps; they're limited to three months of eligibility in three years' time.

Recent news stories have noted that those enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, have a higher rate of obesity than the general population.  Does that mean the program causes obesity?