Episodes
Sarah Garza Resnick—Choice In Chicago
Sarah Garza Resnick, chief executive officer of Personal Pac, talks about Chicago’s role in the fight for abortion rights. Especially after judge’s ruling against abortion pill. Also, why Personal Pac endorsed Brandon Johnson. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy …
Oh, What A Week--With Rachel Hinton
Rachel Hinton, reporter from the Illinois Answers Project, joins Ben to break down a week's worth of news. Mayor Lightfoot's texts with Kim Foxx. Brandon Johnson's transition. The convention comes to Chicago. And the Justins of Tennessee. And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy…
Denali Dasgupta—“Make Or Take”
A few weeks after her unsuccessful campaign for 39th ward alderwoman, Denali Dasgupta returns to talk budgets. Or the narrative of budgets created by Mayor Daley, emulated by Rahm and Paul Vallas, should he win. In this world, private is better than public and taxes spent on poor people is seen as …
Rummana Hussain--Woke At Last
Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist has a few things to say about Gwyneth Paltrow and woke. Specifically, Paltrow's remarkable ability to get her fans to buy stuff they can't really want. And you almost have to give MAGA credit. They've managed to sorta turn a virtue into a vice. As they try to tu…
"Brandon's Team" & Monroe Anderson
Mayor-elect Johnson picks his transition team filled with lefties. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson addresses J Marie's question--are Black voters progressive? Also, Monroe explains why Clarence Thomas is not an Uncle Tom. More like a Stephen. And can Senator Scott with the Republican presidential nomin…
David Faris—Trump Trick Bag
Roosevelt University Political Science professor David Faris returns from his paternity break early to discuss the indictment of Trump. Including…why does MAGA love him so much, what the indictment means for DeSantis and how it puts Republicans in a trick bag? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.…
Stephen "Andy" Schneider--Law `n Order In The First Ward
As tech high rollers get their government bailout, Chicago southwest siders cheer for Paul Vallas. Hmm, wonder what that’s about. Ben riffs. And Andrew Schneider talks about running for first ward alderman in the age of law ‘n order. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California …
Four Years Ago: Lightfoot beats Preckwinkle!
April 3, 2019. We're in the time capsule, returning to the day after Mayor Lightfoot defeated Toni Preckwinkle. Trump's drunken uncle speech at the BIG Republican dinner. The Lori Lightfoot landslide and Ben's wishes for our new Mayor elect. Legendary Chicago Journalist Monroe Anderson talks Trump …
Oh, What A Week--"Advice for Mayor-elect Brandon"
Brandon Johnson wins. Everyone gives him advice. Ben and Pat Whalen--comedian/talk show host--go through a week's worth of news. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor—Say It To My Face
Recent polls show Paul Vallas with around 46 percent of the vote, causing MAGA to jump for joy at the thoughts of their guy running Chicago. Ben riffs. And 20th ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor returns! She talks Mayor Lightfoot, migrants bill, council racists, the time she saw the mayor cry, Vallas…
Alden Loury—Scared Of Our Shadows
WBEZ editor Alden Loury wrote a column last week, noting that Paul Vallas’s law-and-order campaign plays best in low-crime mostly white neighborhoods. Hmm, what’s going on here? He and Ben discuss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/…
"Why Brandon Won" and Monroe Anderson & Delmarie Cobb
Brandon wins! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson & Delmarie Cobb explain what happened and why. The Black vote. The Bernie vote. The lakefront is sorta liberal vote. The MAGA vote. And more. Also, Trump talk. As promised. See Pri...
Jamie Daniels—Baby Blue
By day, Jamie Daniels is an actor. But at night, he turns into Bob Dylan in a tribute band based in Los Angeles. This may be as close as Ben gets to interviewing the enigmatic Bobby D. Stick around for a couple of songs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic…
Steve James--A Real City
Three years ago, movie-man extraordinaire Steve James directed City So Real, a brilliant documentary about the 2019 mayor's race and the turbulence of the summer of 2020. He returns to talk about what the 2019 race has in common with this election. And what's different. Specifically, why Mayor Ligh…
Oh, What A Week: Bernie v. Vallas
Ben & Kina Collins, activist & Justice Democrat candidate, talk the week’s worth of news. Including…Trump’s indictment, Paul Vallas connection to FOP, gun violence in Chicago & Nashville and Bernie’s visit to Chicago on behal...
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…