Episodes

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…

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…

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 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…

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...

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 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…

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…

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, 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'...

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...

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…

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…

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…

Mayor Lightfoot and the city council have decided to demolish the Tribune’s Freedom Center printing press and replace it with a casino. Preservationist and rail-fan Horace Nowell explains what will be lost. It’s not exactly paving paradise—just destroying the soul of the city. Here’s the site for m…

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We've got a mayoral debate to review. But first...Ben has a few things to say about lawyers dumb enough to take on Donald Trump as a client. And then...the debate! Dr. D has all the clips from last night's televised debate that are worth hearing. Well, at least the clips in which one candidate insu…

Ben binges on The Dropout. Now he’s obsessed with America’s love for liars. And Tribune city hall reporter Gregory Pratt returns to talk mayor’s race. Also his tweet about “relatively normal” voters. Somehow the conversation turns towards Mayor Rahm. Where else? See Privacy Policy at https://art1…

On December 6, Ben & Maya took First Tuesdays to the Promontory nightclub in Hyde Park. Their guests were Alderwomen Leslie Hairston & Rossana Rodriguez and Joe Winston, director of the documentary: Punch 9 For Harold Washing...

Proceeds from the Illinois gas tax are falling cause so many people are buying electric cars. What's Elon got to say about that? Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson has a lot to say about a lot of things. Including...the lunatics have taken over the asylum. If, by asylum, you mean congress. And, if, by …

Congressional January 6 committee accuses Trump of insurrection and urge feds to prosecute. Now MAGA has to figure out how to react. Ben riffs. And DuPage County Democratic Chair Ken Mejia-Beal returns. What's on his mind? Plenty. How did Dems win in DuPage County? What will Republicans try to do i…

Mayor Lightfoot does something no other mayor could do—extend the Red Line south of 95th. Ben riffs. And political strategist Rickey Hendon returns! Talking Willie Wilson and the white vote; his feud with Ja’Mal Green; phonegate; his dance with death and more. Including his tribute to the mayor. S…

It's been quite a week. Starting with...Mayor Lightfoot's campaign offers extra credit for Chicago public school students who work on her campaign. Lots to unpack there. And a breakdown of JB Pritzker's second inauguration. And a few words about Pete Ricketts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.c…

Brendan Shiller spent 20 or so years on the front lines for criminal justice reform as a lawyer in Chicago. And then he said the hell with it--and moved to Vegas to make his career as a poker player. The son of former Alderwoman Helen Shiller, Brendan makes his Ben Joravsky Show debut, talking abou…