Episodes
Joanna Klonsky—“Conway's Point"
The city council debates free expression and flag burning. Ben riffs. Political strategist Joanna Klonsky takes the high road, as she breaks down the recent Democratic primary for State’s Attorney. When one candidate defeats another candidate by a sliver, there’s a lot to break down. For the record…
Stacy Davis Gates—The Mainstreams
The Illinois Supreme Court suddenly discovers the Ed and Anne Burke conflict of interest. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks democracy, the press and her friend the mayor. She asks: Why does the mainstream press in Chicago treat Right Wing operatives as legitimate news outlets? Is there a statute o…
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez—In Defense of Byron
No sooner does one campaign end, then another one starts. In this case Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez had no sooner defeated the Iris Martinez/Richard Mell Machine, then the new Machine had started a campaign against her ally Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez. Rossana talks about both campaigns. She is the…
Rummana Hussain—Wasting Time
Rummana Hussain and Ben talk flag burning in Chicago. Why is Alderman Sigcho-Lopez being punished for something he didn’t do? And a few words about Nickelodeon. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views and opinions are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…
Steve Krafft—Kari, As In Carrie
Steve Krafft explains the the bizarre devolution of Kari Lake, the TV anchor he worked with for years in Arizona. She’s gone full MAGA and is running for senate in Arizona. Desperately trying to win some moderate independents and moderate Republicans, like the McCains. Also a few words on the ethic…
Atiba Buchanan— "Oh, What-A-Week"
Atiba and Ben cover it all…flag burnings, migrant gaslighting, Trump selling bibles, homelessness, and why Atiba retains a Monroe like confidence in a Biden victory. Atiba Buchanan is the host of The Afternoon Show, a political talk show on WVON. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and…
Pat Quinn—“Loss Aversion”
Loss aversion is in the news. Ben riffs. Former Governor Pat Quinn talks about his proposal to ask Chicago voters if they want to fork over billions in tax dollars to the Sox and Bears. Speaking of losses you’ll want to avert. Pat also answers the “Frank question” and admits that Ben was right and …
Monroe Anderson—“Love U, Pat Quinn"
Former Governor Pat Quinn thinks the public should have a say on handouts for Bears and Sox. Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson riffs. From there they talk Alabama special election, MAGA craziness in North Carolina, Ronna McDaniel and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ…
Mick Dumke—Beating the Real Machine
Mick Dumke tells the story of Fred Mitchell, who moved to Chicago from the south in the 1930s. He first joined and then took on the Daley Machine (that’s the real Mayor Daley, Richard J). Mitchell fought against segregation, police brutality, redlining and plantation politics. He died recently at t…
Alderwoman Nicole Lee—Don’t Hate the Players
Governor Pritzker comments on proposed Sox handout. Ben riffs. Alder Nicole Lee talks all things Sox stadium. Including…whether taxpayers can afford to subsidize Sox and Bears. How 78 impacts her ward. What to do with Sox park if Sox leave. Why we shouldn’t hate the players but the game. Say what? …
Graciela Guzman—A Win From the Left
Graciela Guzmán explains how she defeated the incumbent in last Tuesday's Democratic primary. Even though the incumbent had more campaign money. Some helpful advice for other lefty hopefuls. Graciela is now the Democratic nominee from the 20th senate district on the city’s northwest side. See Priv…
Rachel Hinton—"Oh, What-A-Week!"
It was Election Week in Illinois. Though you’d hardly know it as relatively few people voted. Rachel Hinton and Ben break down the results. Including…tough night for Iris Martinez and helping the homeless. Though those two things are unrelated. What do results in the state’s attorneys race say abou…
Monroe Anderson and "20 Percent"
Voter turnout for yesterday’s primary in Chicago was around 20 percent. Pathetic. Ben and Monroe don’t know whether to laugh, cry, cuss out the voters or all of the above. Monroe explains why the mainstream media enjoys bashing Mayor Johnson, and then it’s on to Trump and his anti-Jewish rhetori…
Tom Shaer and "Ballot Day"
It’s Election Day, but everyone wants to talk about Justin Fields being traded. Ben riffs. Tom Shaer exhorts Chicagoans to learn to read between the lines of news stories in general and about the Bears lakefront stadium plans in particular. He believes the Bears still want to build a stadium in Arl…
State Rep Kelly Cassidy—MAGA Trolls
A Cook County Judge bounced Trump from the Illinois ballot. Ben riffs. State Rep Kelly Cassidy talks about MAGA trolls. They wanted to scare her from endorsing Clayton Harris for state’s attorney. It didn’t work. She explains why she proudly endorsed Harris. Also, should Sox and Bears get a handout…
Mueze Bawany—Bears Trade Fields
One day before the bears traded Justin Fields, Mueze Bawany explained why it’s a really dumb idea to trade Justin Fields. And why it’s just one more reason the Bears should not get a handout for their proposed stadium—wherever they build. Mueze is a high school football coach and one of the city’s …
Rummana Hussain—In Defense of Jonathan Glazer
Rummana Hussain and Ben catch up on…President Biden and Muslim and Arab-American voters. Director Jonathan Glazer’s acceptance speech at the Oscars. The wimpy spouse in movies. And more…Rummana is a Sun-Times editorial writer and columnist. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art1…
Mark Wallace—"Oh, What A Week"
So much breaking news, so little time. Ben and Mark Wallace get right at it. Starting with…Fani Willis ruling in Georgia. Real estate settlement on broker fees. Bring Homs Chicago. The U.S Supreme Court’s gift to Trump. And the Illinois Supreme Court’s gift to Ed Burke. Mark is a Podcaster, activis…
Jim Coogan—Cohen’s Revenge
Jim Coogan dissects the $355 million ruling in New York City against Trump for business fraud. Who’s the victim, what was the crime. What Trump hopes to accomplish by attacking the judge. Then it’s on to the Stormy Daniels hush money case. AKA, Michael Cohen’s revenge. Jim is a trial lawyer in Chic…
"Home Analysis" and Alderman Matt Martin
The Civic Federation weighs in on Bring Chicago Home. Ben riffs. Alderman Matt Martin returns to talk the issues. Everything from Bring Chicago Home to TIFs to Mayor Johnson’s affordable housing proposal to Sox and Bears stadiums to dealing with crime. Matt is alderman of the 47th ward. See Priva…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—Union Busters
The Sox look for TIF money. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin explains the war on unions being waged by Amazon, Trader Joe’s, Musk and other powerful interests. They’re suing to dismantle the NLRB. In essence, repealing the New Deal. Also, the Teamsters play footsie with Trump, Miles is a writer/editor…
"Hyde Park Scoop” and Monroe Anderson
The Hyde Park Herald has a scoop—interviewing William Baude, the conservative U of C law professor who figured out that Trump was ineligible to run for prez cause he’s an insurrectionist. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson offers his theory about why the Illinois Supremes recused themselves on Burke, demon…
Patrick Wohl—Mulligan Beats Pullen
In 1992, a Republican challenged stood up for abortion rights. Yes, you read that right. A pro-choice Republican challenged a Right Winger in a Republican primary. And won! Okay, it took two tries after the first election ended in a tie. Yes, you read that right, too. See, what happened is…oh, just…
Steve Krafft—Border Open
Steve Krafft returns with the view from Arizona and the border. Kari Lake, Kyrsten Sinema, Ruben Gallego and the hypocrisy of Arizonans who rely on undocumented while contending there is a crisis, and a great debate with Ben about open borders. Also, a sense that Biden will prevail. Steve is a reti…