Episodes

The striking screenwriters have clearly learned a thing or two from teachers unions. Ben riffs. State Senator Rachel Ventura describes the ups and downs of her rookie year in the senate. As she introduces one progressive bill after another. Most notably on cannabis criminal Justice. Will the War on Drugs ever end? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the former president of the board of trustees of the Chicago Teachers pension fund, Jay Rehak probably knows as much or more than anyone about public pensions. He gives us the ABCs of a system that’s been exposed to the scams and schemes of elected officials and Right Wing ideologues for decades.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun Times columnist Rummana Hussain and Ben break it all down. Including…Elizabeth Gilbert agrees to delay publication of her new book cause it’s set in Russia. And journalism grows up. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Friends of the Parks executive director Juanita Irizarry joins Ben to riff on some of the news from a week of madness. Including…MAGA making more money for Bud, the beer company they’re supposedly boycotting. The city turning over public parks for private use. Paul Vallas, the lifelong Democrat, goes through another Republican phase. Corporate Chicago falls in love with Mayor Johnson. Lincoln Yards developers makes Lori Lightfoot their scapegoat. And want to do about the Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ron Desantis makes the world’s worst campaign kickoff. Ben riffs. Former congressional candidate Kina Collins talks Desantis, Trump, city council, Mayor Johnson and asylum seekers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While you weren’t paying attention, political junkies, Ari Emanuel cut a deal that makes him one of the most powerful man in combat sports. The Fight podcast host, Sergio Vicente explains what went down and what it means for fans and athletes. Also, a few words about Ryan Garcia, Tank Davis and Ja Morant.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GOP comment on Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a bow. He predicted Trump would be arrested and arraigned. And Trump was arrested and arraigned. Everything you need to know about Trump’s latest crime and its political fallout.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks Clarence Thomas. And one thing leads to another and she’s talking about self haters. Especially Indian American self haters. Then it’s on to all kinds of topics. Culminating in the writers strike. Enjoy the ride.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sun-Times and WBEZ take the deep dive on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Ben riffs. And Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Loreen Targos return to talk all things lefty politics. Oh, yes, they’re married. And she was his campaign manager in his recent successful re-election run. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Hope Rehak joins Ben to review a week’s worth of news. Including…the latest Trump indictment, Hannah Gadsby v the NYT, maternal leave in Chicago and has Bret Kavanaugh gone liberal?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Topic, one of the foremost FOIA lawyers in the state, ponders the big question: Why are our mayors so determined to keep us ignorant of what they’re doing? And was Mayor Lightfoot—who promised to “bring in the light”—even worse on this front than Rahm and Daley? Worse as in concealing basic information from the public. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every political drama needs a “bad guy”. Ben riffs on who currently plays that role in Chicago. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez explains what must be done to settle asylum seekers. And what she plans to do as chair of health committee. And some of the sexist idiocy she’s encountered in the city council. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago has a funny way of favoring the Bears over public transportation. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson continues the Bears talk. Then it’s off to MAGA land who has a better chance of winning the Republican nomination—Pence or Christie. And Monroe makes a bold prediction about Trump’s pending indictment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson gets sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor. Ben riffs. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the new mayor’s council floor leader, reflects on the inauguration. Then it’s time to deal with…reopening mental health clinics, council reorganization, aldermanic privilege and asylum seekers. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CNN turns over its network to Trump. Ben riffs. State Rep Kam Buckner returns. Talks CTA, crime, MAGA, council reorganization and Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s time catch up on the week’s news—in this case with Mick Dumke, editor and writer for Block Club. Ben and Mick talk, Rahm and Ron, Brandon and Lori, Carlos and Scott, and Jayson and Jimmy. And more. If you don’t know these people by their first names alone, then you must listen so you will know. You should listen anyway.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor-elect Johnson plays musical chairs with the city council. Ben riffs. Political activist Denali Dasgupta asks to reconsider our notions about policing, social services, distraught people on subways, Rudy G. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On May 2, Maya Dukmasova & Ben hosted a First Tuesday show at the Promontory night club in Hyde Park. Alders Maria Hadden and Jeanette Taylor were the guests, talking city council committee chairs under Mayor Johnson. Pretty much everything they predicted has been coming true. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It’s the time of year for tallies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a deeper dive on tallies. Will Texan Republicans tally enough legislative votes to remove their sleazy MAGA attorney general? Will Kevin McCarthy tally enough MAGA congress people to approve his debt ceiling deal with President Biden? And the annual Memorial Day weekend death tally by Chicago’s media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SDG & Pedro Martinez of CPS join forces to plead for Chicago. Ben riffs. And podcaster Mark Wallace talks politics. How MAGA used Vallas to seize Chicago. Meritorious Manumission. And the lawlessness of Clarence Thomas & Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Matt Harvey talks about what he witnessed, covering three days of protests over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party and Water Rec Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski—aka, The political know-it-alls—make their long-awaited return! Talking local and national politics in the wake of Chicago’s mayoral election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The city councils closed out its term with nostalgic tears. Ben riffs. And Micah Uetricht, Jacobin editor, puts Johnson’s win in historical perspective. Also, a few words about the mainstream media. And dream blunt rotation,See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking news!!! Foxes in Millennium Park!!! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson discusses Jim Brown, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott and the concept of nice mayors. Plus, is there such a thing as nice MAGA?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.