Episodes

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 17-year-old son wants to be a police officer. She’s a rarity for Chicago politics. Super smart and funny. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The mayor wants city to consider Com Edison deal in the midst of an election campaign. Ben riffs. And state Rep. & mayoral Kam Buckner weighs in on all the issues. Including…Com Ed deal, police community relations, education, school CEOs and funding the Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A new poll and a taxing proposal by Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs on the latest news from the mayor's race. And state Rep. Bob Morgan talks gun control. Specifically, the bill he sponsored in the wake of last summer's shootings in Highland Park. The resistance he faced. The compromises he made. The final vote. The opposition in the aftermath. And the evolving attitude about Americans on the issue of guns. The dynamic, he says, is changing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s been a wacky week. So Ben turned to a comedian to help explain it—Rachel Joravsky. Hmm, that last name is familiar. Ben and Rach riff on the news, including…the anti-Vallas strategy. Fox personalities reveal what they think of MAGA. Abortion insanity. And a word or two about Tunney & Vallas & DeSantis. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columnist/political scientist David Faris talks about the latest bit of insanity from MAGA--gas stove panic. Also, an analysis of Speaker Kevin McCarthy's precarious hold on MAGA in congress. David offers advice for Dems and asks—what were security documents doing in Biden's garage? And more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the last seven years, activist Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth joined forces with Indivisible members throughout the state to battle Trump and Trumpism. Now she’s shifted her sights to the local front, running for alderwoman of the 48th ward. She explains her strategies, reasons and aspirations. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Vallas smiles while Mayor Lightfoot and Ja’Mal Green attack Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson analyzes a mailer he received from the Vallas campaign. Is Vallas The great White Hope? Then it’s on to national MAGA news. Specifically, Mike Pence’s attempt to convince MAGA he won’t “snitch” on Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Juanita Irizarry, executive director of Friends of the Parks, returns with an only in Chicago story. A prominent museum, headed by a man who used to be an alderman, somehow doesn’t realize you need permission to build a big building in a park. In this case, Humboldt Park. Now the issue is will the Park District make them take it down. Also, a few words about putting a roof on Soldier Field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben moderated last night's aldermanic forum in the 30th ward. Democracy lives. Podshow host Marc Sims returns. And he's on fire. Keep the kiddies away from this episode! He shares his thoughts on race, the N-word, self hate, why Mayor Lightfoot may not make the runoff, and why he's probably going to vote for her anyway. And much, much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Four years ago, political strategist Laurie Glenn voted for Lori Lightfoot for mayor and then came on the podcast to urge Ben to be less critical. She explains why she's changed her mind about Mayor Lightfoot. And why she's urging people to vote for Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Also, why the prospect of "Mayor Vallas" frightens her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Advocacy Director for the Chicago Neighborhood Policing Initiative, Micole Jordan-McBride has been pushing for police reform for years. As she sees it, it looks as though Chicago might finally be ready to change its approach to policing. Maybe... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian Pat Whalen joins Ben to go over a week's worth of news. Starting with...Palos Hills! Or is it Palos Heights? Whatever it is, that's where Paul Vallas lives. Or maybe it's his wife who lives there and Paul lives in Bridgeport. Does it matter if the mayor of Chicago lives in Palos Hills? Or Palos Heights? Can anybody in Chicago tell you the difference between Palos Hills and Palos Heights? In other news...what's the difference between lying and embellishing? Time to contrast the stories of Republican congresspeople George Santos and Anna Paulina Luna. Finally, Elon Musk stands up for free speech by firing an employee who told him something he didn't want to hear. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mueze Bawany, CPS high school teacher and aldermanic candidate in the 50th ward, analyzes "extracreditgate". That's the breaking scandal in which a Mayor Lightfoot campaign aide sent emails to teachers promising that their students would get extra credit if they volunteered for the mayor's re-election effort. Questions: did the aide get the email addresses from CPS? Did Mayor Lightfoot know about the solicitation in advance? Who are they to decide what teachers decide is extra credit? Did they think teachers would want to help the mayor? And do you believe anything the mayor says on the topic? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Indiana AG Todd Rokita, who wants to lock up doctors who perform abortions on 10-year-old girls who have been raped, takes a stand on our inalienable right to own a gas stove. Ben riffs. And Kelly Garcia from Injustice Watch returns to talk mayoral politics. Is Chuy moving right? Is Mayor Lightfoot going to skate free from extracreditgate? Why does Paul Vallas love police unions and hate teacher unions? And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The latest mayoral polls are all over the map. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson suggests that the main reason so many white Chicago voters are leaning toward Paul Vallas is because they want a white guy in charge. Okay, Monroe doesn't suggest that. He comes right out and says it. Also, a discussion of President Biden's state of the union speech. And how Marjorie Taylor Green is playing into Biden's hands. And how Biden is forcing Republicans to back off on plans to cut social security. And how Biden is playing the game like a pro. And MAGA's playing the game like chumps. Monroe really likes Biden these days. Finally, a few thoughts on the Republican response to the state of the union from newly elected Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who has a curious take on the history of civil rights, to put it mildly. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brandon Johnson talks about his mayoral campaign. A survey, not a poll, suggests he's a front runner. Does he believe it? A few words about Mayor Lightfoot and extracreditgate, policing and playing to win. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 pensions, without raising taxes. Or they say, no issues matter except crime. When, of course, there are dozens of issues that also matter. So they're speaking in code. And what are they really saying when they speak that code? When you think about it--the Chinese government's insistence that it's only a weather balloon (not a spy balloon) may be no more ludicrous then the stuff Chicago politicians tell us everyday. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Lightfoot, Mayor Rahm, taxes, the Bears and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Take notes! Also, LeAlan’s prediction for the upcoming Big Game. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 commercials. And the mayor’s office speaks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 needs Governor Pritzker's signature to become law. Why it will help children, why it's overdue and who resisted it. Hint--not Republicans. Also, the CPS Inspector General's report on sexual harassment and assault in the schools. Is there a culture of protecting the powerful? Finally, a few words about the mayor's race. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.