Episodes

A First Tuesday defense of Mayor Johnson and the Brighton Park site. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson explains the difference between eight feet and six inches when it comes to gravel protecting children from mercury poisoning. A few words about the Burke trial. And Trumps threat to be a dictator for on…

State Senator Lakesia Collins comes from the same political movement as Mayor Johnson. And she has no sympathy for the mayor’s city council adversaries. But she thinks the mayor’s allies have done a disservice to Alderwoman Emma Mitts. And she asks—when are people going to stop disrespecting Black …

As I write this sentence, it was 54 years ago to the day that the Chicago police. acting in concert with the State’s Attorney and the FBI, killed Fred Hampton and Mark Clark as they were sleeping in their beds. That was December 4, 1969. Flint Taylor was a young lawyer when he went to court on beha…

Evanston says ok to NU in its own Evanston way. Ben riffs. Dave Glowacz brings in recordings from a particularly contentiousness city council meeting. To show you how Chicago handles its democracy. Hear Alders Beale, Harris, Waguespack, Lopez, Mitts, Ramirez-Rosa, Ervin and Hadden on council decoru…

What a week! The Ed Burke trial. George Santos expelled. NBA players behaving badly. A high basketball coach discovers a unique way to dodge a reporter’s question. Political strategist Joanna Klonsky tries to help Ben make sense of it all. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali…

Ben and Maya went to Maria’s in Bridgeport to host First Tuesdays with Alderwomen Nicole Lee and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth. Topics for discussion included the rising political power of Asian-American voters in Chicago. And immigration—as in why so many Chicagoans are hostile to the Venezuelan immigran…

Ben gets love from the Tribune editorial board in regards to his Alderman Carlos coverage. Well, sorta. Actually, not at all. Ben riffs. And Pushkar Sharma takes the deep dive on the war between Israel and Palestine. The roles of Netanyahu and Hamas. And the political fallout in the US. Pushkar was…

The corruption trial of Alderman Burke kicks into gear. Ben riffs. Then Monroe riffs. Then the tie start riffing about Burke, corruption, Chicago, racism, Trump versus Haley, Hunter Biden and Jimmy Carter. Here’s today’s question—why does Chicago have so much love for grifters like Burke? Also, a r…

Mayor Johnson takes a page from the Mayor Rahm playbook to undercut his opposition. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk immigration, UAW successful strikes, the Tesla challenge for labor and the Democratic Party’s response to Gaza. Miles is an editor and writer for In These Times. S…

David Faris explains the difference between a “humanitarian pause” and a ceasefire. Also, the difference between Democrats and Republicans on Israel and Palestine. And the difference between speakers Mike Johnson and Kevin McCarthy. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University, …

Alderman Brendan Reilly goes for the jugular--Mayor Johnson's jugular. Ben riffs. Then Rod Sawyer riffs on Ben's riff. Then Rod and Ben break down what went down at yesterday's city council meeting on the vote to censure Alderman Ramirez-Rosa. Then Monroe Anderson says Mayor Johnson should hire Ro…

The day’s paper brings an interesting take on the relative poverty of single-parent families. It’s Betty Friedan’s fault. Ben riffs. Then Rachel riffs. Then they riff on MAGA’s efforts in Ohio to undo the referendum on abortion rights. Once again MAGA tries to overturn an election result. Then. Few…

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa apologizes for his behavior at last week’s special council meeting. Ben riffs. Then Stacy Davis Gates riffs on Ben’s riff. And the conversation goes on to cover Alderman Lopez, city council protocol, Alderwoman Mitts’s speech, Trump, MAGA and more. Stacy is the presiden…

It’s Thanksgiving—time to be thankful. So Ben expresses gratitude. But while saying thanks, one thing leads to another and he winds up on a rant. Blame it on Michael Gerardi. But, really—much thanks! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com…

Well, it’s not really peace. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Biden and Netanyahu; Tribune and Black people; “traitors” and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a week of “sanctuary” and Burke. That’s Alderman Ed Burke, set to face federal trial on charges of corruption. His protégés. Aldermen Raymond Lopez and Anthony Beale, led the charge for Chicago to take a stand against our Sanctuary City status and little libraries. Though not in that order. …

Chicago, a city of immigrants, displays its not-so-loving attitude toward immigrants. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump and offers tributes to two late greats—Harry Porterfield and Richard Roundtree. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://…

Aldermen claim it’s their prerogative to keep immigrants out of their wards. Ben riffs—maybe no one knows what prerogative means. Graciela Guzman, Democratic candidate for state senator in the 20th district, talks politics and policy. The politics are straight up Chicago. The policies have to do wi…

Jesse Washington spent two years working with legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson on his autobiography. But their book is not really about basketball. It’s about race in America. Also capitalism. And, yes, ok, basketball. Jesse and Ben discuss it all. The name of the book is…I Come …

Politico shows much love for Mayor Rahm. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson explains the love D.C. pundits have for Rahm. Then he explains the fear MAGA elected officials have for Trump. Which explains why MAGA pols, like Senator Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Kevin McCarthy, feel compelled to act so…

Brendan Shiller and Ben talk the Chicago and national news of the week. Including…Trump takes control of Congress, or at least the Republican majority. The new police contract. A few hopeful thoughts about immigration. And “rats” in Chicago. Like William O’Neal. Brendan is a lawyer, political strat…

David Faris breaks down the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. And then a word or two about the state of the Republican Party in congress. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain talks Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ivanka Trump, and Rashida Tlaib. And more. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S.L. Wisenberg—aka, Sandi Wisenberg— tells her life in short stories and essays. From Texas to Evanston to Chicago and lots of places in between. She talks about those journeys—what she calls her “angsty way of moving through the world”. Her latest collection is The Wandering Womb: Essays in Search…