Episodes

Ben and Dennis run through the week that was in Chicago and or Illinois politics. Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker, MAGA & more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President Biden introduces his plan to spend trillions of dollars fixing roads and bridges and other stuff that everybody uses. And what do Republicans do? They oppose it. More evidence, as if any is needed, at the insanity of the MAGA GOP. Also, Maya Dukmasova--Reader writer--returns to talk policing, Derek Chauvin, Chuy Garcia and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

They're counting the union organizing vote at the Amazon warehouse in Alabama. That gives Ben an opportunity to riff on unions, Amazon, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, unionizing the Reader, Mayor Rahm and more. Also, Jill Wine-Banks drops in to talk about the paperback edition of her book (Watergate Girl), Trump, Nixon, Rose Mary Woods, G. Gordon Liddy, Sidney Powell and the Derek Chauvin trial. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do...

Ben and Dr. D return after a much needed week off and discover not much has changed. The world is still insane. And let's count the ways. Also, Rosie Rees--Indivisible Evanston activist--talks all things filibuster. Its history. How Republicans have used it as a tool to clobber Dems. And why Biden & the Dems should get rid of it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Last week, Meyers Leonard--of the Miami Heat--made a colossal ass of himself by spouting off a deragatory comment about Jews, while playing a video game. We brought together podcasters Rachel Joravsky & Miles Porter to talk about antisemitism in sports. Is it prevalent or is Leonards a dumb-ass anomaly? Also, a word or two about the gaming culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Rod Blagojevich was impeached and removed as Illinois Governor. He was later convicted of corruption, including attempts to sell a U-S Senate seat. He received a 14 year sentence and remains in prison. Reporter Dave McKinney covered it all as a statehouse reporter. Today he works for public station WBEZ in Chicago and he has launched a podcast titled "Public Official A" Dave and his Producer Collin McNulty were kind enough to join Ben Joravsky for this Blago tape special! A "must-download" piece...

SPOILER ALERT: Benny J, Director of the Black Harvest Film Festival Sergio Mims and election lawyer/movie buff Adolfo Mondragon give their reviews of the brand new film "The Irishman" Go see the film and download this Benny J bonus interview... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Political strategist Jason Lee grew up in Texas and worked several campaigns there. So he's a good source to explain the bizarre MAGA politics that grip that state in which Governor Abbott responds to a brutal freeze by blaming the Green New Deal. Also, the lessons of Georgia. And Ben riffs on why Nate Cohn is so annoying. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Professor and author of "The Kids are All Left" ,David Faris returns to talk about the latest political news. Specifically, why are Dems so timid. Will they never learn from their mistakes? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A flashback to the summer of 2019--June 30, to be exact. Recreational marijuana legalization, reproductive rights, gaming legislation and more with (then) State Senator Toi Hutchinson and State Representative Jehan Gordon Booth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Oscar Sanchez and many of his allies on the southeast side went on a hunger strike for about a month to protest the city gearing up to allow General Iron to move its metal crushing operation from an affluent north side neighborhood to their working class community. He explains why he did it and what's at stake for residents of an area that already deal with too much pollution. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

Leila Taylor is the author of "Darkly: Black History and America's Gothic Soul" You can learn more about her work at https://www.strandbooks.com/product/darkly-blackness-and-americas-gothic-soul/_/searchString/gothic%20soul See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

MAGA is always complaining about liberals preventing them from saying any dumb or insulting thing they want. They call liberals “snowflakes”and cry about “cancel culture”. But if you say something that offends their sensibilities, they look to cancel your culture. As they’re doing to Cardi B. Also, the latest news about Speaker Welch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Chicago Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns to discuss her latest column, on attempts to rewrite a Chicago City Council resolution about discrimination against Muslims in India. Also, she discusses the curious attitude that many white law enforcement personnel have about white suspects in violent crimes. Specifically, the man who allegedly shot eight people in Atlanta. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...

Ben reveals his theory as to why some people want the vaccine and others don't. Hint--the theory has something to do with Bernie Madoff. Also, guess who jumped to the front of the line to get the shot? Well, maybe... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The newspapers are filled with stories about how Putin's computer hackers were up to no good, trying to win the 2020 election for Comrade Trump. Ben remembers the last time they tried this--back in 2016--they were more successful. And CPS officials talk about reopening high schools. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez & Loreen Targos from the 25th ward return to tslk environment, General Iron and much more. Turns out Byron has a message to convey to Ben from Alderman Ed Burke, of all people. And Loreen thinks Leonard Goodman is right. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President Biden is thinking of reaching out to former President Trump for help in urging MAGA to get a COVID shot. Ben wonders what price Trump will make Biden pay. Meanwhile, Governor Pritzker must be feeling the political heat cause he’s eager to reopen the state. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Alderman Matt Martin ran on a platform of finding new and more progressive sources of raising money for the city. Half way through his first term, he's learned it's easier said than done, especially in a pandemic. He also explains the intricacies of respectfully disagreeing with sharp-elbowed Chicago politicians. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Dan Mihalopoulos, WBEZ reporter, returns to talk all things politics. Does the Machine still exist post-Madigan? And what was Republican state representative Chris Miller doing at Trump’s January 6 rally? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

President Biden can’t win over MAGA no matter how he tries. And Sun-Times editor/columnist Rummana Hussain returns for her weekly rundown, covering everything from Oprah & The Royals to Tucker Carlson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ace reporter for the Sun-Times, Manny Ramos is the grandson of Manuel Ramos, a leader of the Young Lords. In the late `60s, Manuel Ramos was emerging as a Puerto Rican political leader, building an Black-Brown alliance with Fred Hampton. Then he was killed, shot by an off-duty police officer. He was 20-years-old. Manny talks about the impact his grandfather's death had on him, his father and his family. It's a follow up to his Sun-Times essay--Remembering a Young Lord. See Privacy Policy at http...

Ben gets his shot! Let the good times roll. Also, Ben and Dr. D take the deep dive on latest poll about Pritzker. It's a Republican poll so its belongs in the category of fiction. And Adolfo Mondragon, election lawyer, returns to talk about his case against former Alderman Danny Solis. He wants to the courts to rule against politicians using campaign money to pay criminal defense lawyers. The case could impact Michael Madigan and Alderman Ed Burke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy...

Inside Chicago Government's Dave Glowacz returns to break down the latest City Council meetings. He runs through the latest parliamentary maneuvering that resulted in Aldermen Ray "RayLo" Lopez and Ed Burke, of all people, challening Mayor Lightfoot on police spending. It's almost comical to watch Burke try to play the role of council "reformer". Listen and you'll learn everything you ever wanted to know about "laying it on the table". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...