Episodes
“1989 Flashback” & Monroe Anderson
Paul Vallas smiles while Mayor Lightfoot and Ja’Mal Green attack Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson analyzes a mailer he received from the Vallas campaign. Is Vallas The great White Hope? Then it’s on to national MAGA news. Specifically, Mike Pence’s attempt to convince MAGA he won’t “…
Juanita Irizarry—Humboldt’s Gift
Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, returns with an only in Chicago story. A prominent museum, headed by a man who used to be an alderman, somehow doesn’t realize you need permission to build a big building in a park. In this case, Humboldt Park. Now the issue is will the …
Marc Sims--Why You Can't Say The Things You Can't Say
Ben moderated last night's aldermanic forum in the 30th ward. Democracy lives. Podshow host Marc Sims returns. And he's on fire. Keep the kiddies away from this episode! He shares his thoughts on race, the N-word, self hate, why Mayor Lightfoot may not make the runoff, and why he's probably going t…
Laurie Glenn--Singing Chuy's Praise
Four years ago, political strategist Laurie Glenn voted for Lori Lightfoot for mayor and then came on the podcast to urge Ben to be less critical. She explains why she's changed her mind about Mayor Lightfoot. And why she's urging people to vote for Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Also, why the pr…
Mecole Jordan-McBride--Policing Crossroads
Advocacy Director for the Chicago Neighborhood Policing Initiative, Micole Jordan-McBride has been pushing for police reform for years. As she sees it, it looks as though Chicago might finally be ready to change its approach to policing. Maybe... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and…
Oh, What A Week--with Pat Whalen!
Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to go over a week's worth of news. Starting with...Palos Hills! Or is it Palos Heights? Whatever it is, that's where Paul Vallas lives. Or maybe it's his wife who lives there and Paul lives in Bridgeport. Does it matter if the mayor of Chicago lives in Palos Hills? Or …
Mueze Bawany--Grading The Mayor
Mueze Bawany, CPS high school teacher and aldermanic candidate in the 50th ward, analyzes "extracreditgate". That's the breaking scandal in which a Mayor Lightfoot campaign aide sent emails to teachers promising that their students would get extra credit if they volunteered for the mayor's re-elect…
Kelly Garcia—Woke Vallas
Indiana AG Todd Rokita, who wants to lock up doctors who perform abortions on 10-year-old girls who have been raped, takes a stand on our inalienable right to own a gas stove. Ben riffs. And Kelly Garcia from Injustice Watch returns to talk mayoral politics. Is Chuy moving right? Is Mayor Lightfoot…
"Poll Mania" & Monroe Anderson
The latest mayoral polls are all over the map. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson suggests that the main reason so many white Chicago voters are leaning toward Paul Vallas is because they want a white guy in charge. Okay, Monroe doesn't suggest that. He comes right out and says it. Also, a discussion of Pr…
Brandon Johnson--The Home Stretch
Brandon Johnson talks about his mayoral campaign. A survey, not a poll, suggests he's a front runner. Does he believe it? A few words about Mayor Lightfoot and extracreditgate, policing and playing to win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art…
"My Beautiful Balloon" & John Arena
Over the weekend the country was gripped by the saga of the great Chinese balloon. Ben riffs. And former Alderman John Arena offers a primer on fact and fantasy in government. For instance, candidates say they will hire more police and they will cut taxes. But you can't hire police, and pay pensio…
Alderman Rod Sawyer--Like Father, Like Son
Downstate sheriffs and Chicago area gun dealers are teaming up to undercut the state’s ban on assault weapons.. Ben riffs. Alderman Rod Sawyer talks about his run for mayor. A word or two about his father--Mayor Eugene Sawyer, and how he's been unfairly portrayed. And then it's on to Mayor Lightfoo…
LeAlan Jones—Super Bowls To Come
Football analyst LeAlan Jones returns with good news for traumatized Bears fans…Your days of suffering are about to end. The Bears are on the brink of putting together a team that will win the Super Bowl. Someday. At least, compete for the Super Bowl. Someday. So says LeAlan. And he explains why. T…
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez—Battling Mell
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez talks about running against what’s left of the Richard Mell Machine. And then she explains how the mayor controls city council committees. Also, if Chicago is a union town, why do not-for-profits want to hire union busters? And a few words about the Com Ed deal. See Pr…
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Survey Says What??"
So much news…where do we start? Ben & Dr. D riff on the news. Including…a mayoral poll that’s not really a poll but a survey. Say what? Can two lefties make the runoff? Willie Wilson & Ray Lo. Ben sings Dylan. A bunch of comm...
Troy LaRaviere—Union Man
Sun-Times editorial writer Lee Bey writes an editorial that tells it like it is about the mayor's dream of rebuilding Soldier Field. Ben riffs. And Troy LaRaviere, president of the Chicago Principals Association, talks about the bill that gives collective bargaining rights to his principals--it nee…
“Willie Speaks” & Monroe Anderson
Willie Wilson, candidate for mayor, gets lambasted at last night’s debate for his “hunt them down like rabbits” approach to policing, Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson weighs in. Also, a few words about Trump, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels and Kevin McCarthy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com…
Miles Kampf-Lassin—Squeaky Wheels
In These Times writer/editor Miles Kampf-Lassin analyzes MAGA’s revolt against Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Yes, they’re a bunch of fascists. But lefties can learn something from them. And a few words about the mayoral election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…
Alderwoman Sophia King—I’ve Got A Plan
Lots of mayoral election madness, including a new poll. Ben riffs. Alderwoman & mayoral candidate Sophia King talks about her run for mayor. Her plan for fighting crime. Her emphasis on collaboration. And whether you can expe...
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez & Loreen Targos--A View From The Left
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez & Loreen Targos, his campaign manager and wife, make their first return since becoming parents to triplets. So, first of all--congratulations, Byron & Loreen. Now, let's get down to business! They'...
Rummana Hussain—Wherefore Art Thou…
Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks foreign affairs. Specifically, the struggles of local pols to figure out the world beyond our borders. Also, we break down the lawsuit recently filed by Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whit...
Dave Glowacz—TIF Lessons
WBEZ bulldog reporter Dan Mihalopoulos has the story about a former political operative for Speaker Michael Madigan going into cannabis business. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz, of Inside Chicago Government, returns to analyze the latest City Council antics. Get ready for a deep dive on TIFs. See Pr…
"Et tu, Pence?" & Monroe Anderson
Mike Pence finds classified documents in his home. Oops. Ben riffs. As does Monroe. Who has a lot more on his mind besides Pence. Such as...Ron DeSantis' effort to erase history by cancelling African American AP history. And replacing it with his (DeSantis') fantasy of the "happy slave" and the "lo…
April Preyar—The Counterattack
The number one movie in America is The Glass Onion, a satire that mocks greedy tech billionaires. Has America turned a corner? Ben riffs. Defense attorney April Preyar talks Safe-T act. Specifically, a ruling by a judge in Kankakee that it’s unconstitutional. And a few words about her latest case—a…