Episodes
Stacy Davis Gates--Taking Chances
Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, returns. She's got a few things on her mind. Number one, don't come to her with questions about the Brandon Johnson mayoral campaign. Number two, if you don't take chances, you'll never succeed. And number three--Abbott Elementary is more …
"City Council Revolt" & Miles Kampf-Lassin
In the not-so-wee hours of the morning, the City Council reorganizes itself. Ben riffs. In These Times writer/editor Miles Kampf-Lassin talks all things politics. Including...Bernie backs Brandon, Durbin goes with Vallas, and why centrists like some unions and not others. Just imagine a city in whi…
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez—Machine City
Last night was mayor debate round 1. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez talks mayoral debate. Beating the Mell Machine—again. Why CTU is not a Machine. City Council reorganization. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri…
Kiara Hardin & Dixon Romeo--Cutting Deals
Ja'Mal Green is trying to decide who to endorse in the mayor's race. Ben riffs. Activists Kiara Hardin and Dixon Romeo talk Obama Center community benefits agreement. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-…
"Durbin Day” & Terry Cosgrove
Senator Durbin joins a few others in endorsing Paul Vallas. Ben riffs. Abortion rights activist Terry Cosgrove talks Wisconsin Supreme Court, why he’s for Brandon Johnson and what it will take to pass sane gun laws. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at …
Jessie Fuentes--Beating The Odds
Jessie Fuentes is a 32-year-old first time candidate for alderwoman of the 26th ward. No one thought she could win Tuesday's election out right--without a runoff. Well, at least Ben didn't think she could do it. And guess what? She proved Ben wrong. She won. No runoff required. Jessie explains how …
Frank Lucchese-Soto—Back On The Block
For years, listener Frank was the political junkie who stayed up on the news. Feeding Ben the latest political updates—local, state & national—as they broke. Then he had a nasty illness that scared one and all. He relates the...
Oh, What A Week: "Say What, Tom Tunney?"
Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia joins Ben for an update on a week’s worth of news. Starting with…Alderman Tom Tunney’s up-is-down assertion that the richest parts of Chicago are being neglected in favor of the poorest p...
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa—An Alternative View
Everyone is comparing Johnson v Vallas to Washington v Epton. Ben riffs. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa explains why he supports Brandon Johnson. Why he thinks the politics of fear won’t work. And why he thinks Election Day was good news for lefties. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva…
Sam Holloway—This City…
According to the Sun-Times, progressives are split in the mayor’s race. Ben riffs. And Sam Holloway, political analyst and firefighter, returns to give a leftist take on Chicago politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do…
"Where's JB?" & Monroe Anderson
In the part of his life when he wasn’t a “lifelong Democrat”, Paul Vallas went on the Dan Proft Show to rip Governor Pritzker’s COVID policies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson ponders the question: Is Vallas a MAGA Man or a MAGA-lite Man? And what’s the difference? Also, what’s up with Bobby Rush? And a…
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza—Kicked To The Curb
At the height of the pandemic, police officers risked their health to do their jobs—just like firefighters, nurses, bus drivers and other front line employees. But when it came time to pay pensions to cops who got sick with COVID, the mayor’s pension board had hearts of stone. Susana Mendoza tells …
Anderson & Walden--CRT In The Mayor's Campaign
Paul Vallas weighs in on Critical Race Theory—God help us all. Ben riffs. And Tiffany Walden, editor of the Triibe, joins Ben and Monroe to talk race and politics in the mayor’s campaign. Also, a word or two about Trump and the Georgia grand jury. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an…
Oh, What A [Past] Week—"Countdown to Ecstasy"
It’s that time of the week. Ben & Dr. D riff on everything from Lightfoot to Biden to Trump to Bailey to more. As in Michael Moore and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...
Oh, What A Week—Madigan & Vallas
After another week of lunacy in the news. Ben & comedian Pat Whalen review the wreckage. Including…the return of Michael J. Madigan, or at least his voice captured on FBI wiretaps. Prompting Ben to ask—what’s the difference b...
David Faris--Political Performance Art
Roosevelt University Political Science Professor David Faris weighs in on the bizarre behavior of Republicans at President Biden's state of the union speech--booing him for pointing out that they're looking to cut social security. He also analyzes the latest column by New York Times writer Pamela P…
"Walk it Back" & Marc Sims
Brandon Johnson & Paul Vallas walk back their positions on policing. Ben riffs. The Rachels make a surprise appearance to promote their upcoming comedy show. And podcaster Marc Sims talks mayors race. Including…Ja’Mal Green’s...
Delmarie Cobb—The Machine Returns
Mayor Lightfoot’s pension board appointees deny benefits for cops disabled by COVID, including Susana Mendoza’s brother. Ben riffs. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb returns to talk mayoral election. In particular…Paul Vallas as The Great White Hope. And Lightfoot’s appeal to Black voters. An…
"Back In Time" & Monroe Anderson
"Mainstream Chicago" confidently gearing up for Paul Vallas victory. Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson weighs in, explaining what "mainstream Chicago" really means. Also, is Chicago's City Council ready for independence? Short answer--no. Long answer--the same. And, what does MAGA mean when they say …
Gregory Pratt--Just Three Weeks Ago…
Tribune political writer Gregory Pratt returns to give you the skinny on the race for mayor. Explaining things like...why Mayor Lightfoot and Ja'Mal Green are bashing Brandon Johnson. Whether Chuy lives in K-town (and why it apparently matters). Why Paul Vallas is up in the polls. How secret PACs t…
State Rep. Lakesia Collins--Meanwhile, In Illinois…
State Rep. Lakesia Collins, chair of the House Black Caucus, returns to deliver her own state of the state. Including...the state of Governor Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch. Also, the state of the Republicans. and a few words about the mayor's race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/…
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Ben’s Big Poll"
Another week, another mayoral poll. This from Mayor Lightfoot that shows she's ahead. As opposed to the Chuy poll that shows he's ahead. And the Vallas poll that shows he's ahead. And the Benny J poll that shows he's ahead. A...
Oh, What A Week—The NYT Discovers Chicago
It’s the night after the debate and a week after endorsements so a lot to catch up on. Rachel Joravsky joins Ben to review the news, including…the NYT’s pathetic coverage of Chicago’s mayoral election. The Vallas fundraising edge. And a deep dive on Fox and Tucker and the insurrection. See Privac…
Sean Estelle—Kicked Out Of City Hall!
Ben offers advice to mayoral candidate Jesus Garcia, not that he asked for it or would ever take it. Then Democratic Socialist activist Sean Estelle talks about getting kicked out of the City Council for…well, it’s not really certain why they got kicked out. Probably had something to do with opposi…