Episodes
"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…
Cassie Creswell--Beware Of Vouchers
Cassie Creswell, a member of Illinois Families For Public Schools, tells you everything you need to know about vouchers. That is, using public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition. Who wants them. Who profits from them. And how they will impact public schools. They're coming to Illinois. A…
"Debate Prep” and Monroe Anderson & Kina Collins
The smartest brains in Chicago give advice to Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas in advance of tonight’s mayoral debate. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Kina Collins, former congressional candidate, talk mayoral politics. Includi...
Dave Glowacz—City Council Sounds
Mayor Lightfoot goes after Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz returns for another segment of Sounds of the Council. Ben & Dave analyze the council’s recent debate on TIFs and Com Ed. Hear your alders in action. See ...
Kina Collins—The Generation Divide
Paul Vallas is "surging" in the polls. Ben riffs. And former congressional candidate and gun-control advocate Kina Collins returns to take the deep dive on the mayor's race. Including answering the Marc Sims question about whether there are too many Black candidates. Also, she has a few words about…
Michael Burton—Urban Spaceman
Activist, singer/songwriter Michael Burton sings a song about the long struggle to make Chicago an equitable and affordable place to live. Joining him on lead guitar is Josh Goldman. Enjoy the songs… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co…
Rummana Hussain--Objectively Speaking
Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist--considers the question: Are millennial journalists more courageous than Boomer ones? Ben says yes. Rummana says, it's complicated. Also, a few words about her recent trip to India. And the word on Nikki Haley's campaign for president. See Pri…
Oh, What A Week with Rachel Hinton
There’s a week of news to discuss and you can guess what the main topic is…the mayoral election. Joining Ben to beak it down is Rachel Hinton, reporter for the Illinois Answers Project. Topics…how did Lightfoot lose, the endorsement chess game, policing strategies going forward, and key aldermanic …
Alderman Matt Martin—Ethics In Chicago
Alderman Matt Martin (47th) discusses ethics in Chicago. More specifically, his attempts to chair the city council’s ethics committee. Also, why it’s prudent, practical and ethical for the council to hold off on approving the Com Ed deal. And which mayoral candidates are doing well in his north si…
David Faris--Liar, Liars…
Political scientist David Faris has a lot of questions on his mind. Will Republicans oust Trump from their party? Well, we know they won't. But can they devise a nice way to encourage him to move aside so he won't destroy the party? Not sure about that either. Can they find a place for George Santo…
"Why Lori Lost" & Monroe Anderson and Derrick Blakley
Mayor Lightfoot comes in third, misses the mayoral runoff. Ben riffs. And veteran journalists Monroe Anderson and Derrick Blakely break down Tuesday’s election results. Why did Lightfoot disrespect Willie Wilson? Can Brandon Johnson win? What happened to Chuy? Why do white people love Paul Vallas s…
Emma Tai—“I Play To Win!”
Mayor Lightfoot rips the city council for asking for more time to consider her Com Ed deal. Ben riffs. And Emma Tai, executive director of the United Working Families, returns to talk aldermanic and mayoral politics. Specifically, is Chicago ready for democracy? And what she means when she says: “I…
Rummana Hussain--Hiding The Truth
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis eliminates Advanced Placement African-American history cause he's afraid the truth will upset white children. That's just one of the issues Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain discusses. Also, a word or two or three about President Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, and MAGA's us…
Oh, What A [Past] Week: "Casinos & Crypto"
Ben & Dr. D have gambling on their mind as they take a look back on the week that was. Specifically, why does Chicago think it's a good idea to fund government with a casino? And, how did Sam Bankman-Fried convince the Lightf...
Vincent E. Norment & Victoria Williams: Welcome Back, Pat Bev
Vincent E. Norment & Victoria Williams—the pride and joy of Englewood—return to talk Bball. Specifically. Ben’s beloved Bulls. Stumbling into the all-star break with six straight losses, it looked bleak for the Bulls. Then th...
Oh, What A Week—“The Final Stretch”
Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to talk about the week that was. Which includes…the Vallas surge. The Axe is back. Campaign signs. Madigan’s and Burke’s aldermanic candidates. Why MAGA is so happy. Hint, Vallas speaks to them. And a few words about the Sunday morning talk shows. See Privacy Policy …
Mick Dumke--Going Through Those Changes
Block Club investigative reporter Mick Dumke stops by to pick up the conversation on politics that he and Ben have been having since about 2005. Join them for the deep dive into the mayoral and aldermanic elections. Could Chicago actually replace autocracy with democracy? The safe bet is on autocra…
“Outside Chicago” & Miles Kampf-Lassin
Wisconsin gets ready for an all-important Supreme Court election. Ben riffs. In These Times editor Miles Kampf-Lassin deconstructs “strategy voting” in the mayor’s race and Paul Vallas’ thoughts on CRT. Also, the CTU gamble. And he makes a prediction yiu can take to Vegas. See Privacy Policy at …
Denali Dasgupta—Talking Sense To Chicago
Mayor Lightfoot celebrates the opening of the police & fire training academy. Ben riffs. And Denali Dasgupta, 39th ward aldermanic candidate, makes her debut. Talking budgets, property taxes, TIFs, public safety, and why her ...