Episodes

At the height of the pandemic, police officers risked their health to do their jobs—just like firefighters, nurses, bus drivers and other front line employees. But when it came time to pay pensions to cops who got sick with COVID, the mayor’s pension board had hearts of stone. Susana Mendoza tells the story of her older brother, a police sergeant, who got kicked to the curb by cold-hearted mayoral appointees. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Vallas weighs in on Critical Race Theory—God help us all. Ben riffs. And Tiffany Walden, editor of the Triibe, joins Ben and Monroe to talk race and politics in the mayor’s campaign. Also, a word or two about Trump and the Georgia grand jury. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s that time of the week. Ben & Dr. D riff on everything from Lightfoot to Biden to Trump to Bailey to more. As in Michael Moore and much more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After another week of lunacy in the news. Ben & comedian Pat Whalen review the wreckage. Including…the return of Michael J. Madigan, or at least his voice captured on FBI wiretaps. Prompting Ben to ask—what’s the difference between Madigan and Paul Vallas? Also, Jesus Garcia endorsed Brandon Johnson. And the city council considers “reform”. And Pat does his imitation of Nick Sposato. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...

Roosevelt University Political Science Professor David Faris weighs in on the bizarre behavior of Republicans at President Biden's state of the union speech--booing him for pointing out that they're looking to cut social security. He also analyzes the latest column by New York Times writer Pamela Paul, urging Democrats to "learn" from Ron DeSantis. Why are NYT columnists always urging Dems to abandon their principles? And then a few words about how ranked voting would impact 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.

Brandon Johnson & Paul Vallas walk back their positions on policing. Ben riffs. The Rachels make a surprise appearance to promote their upcoming comedy show. And podcaster Marc Sims talks mayors race. Including…Ja’Mal Green’s Vallas endorsement. The fear factor in politics And why people don’t vote. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot’s pension board appointees deny benefits for cops disabled by COVID, including Susana Mendoza’s brother. Ben riffs. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb returns to talk mayoral election. In particular…Paul Vallas as The Great White Hope. And Lightfoot’s appeal to Black voters. And how the Daley crew poisoned relations between Blacks and Hispanics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Mainstream Chicago" confidently gearing up for Paul Vallas victory. Ben riffs. Then Monroe Anderson weighs in, explaining what "mainstream Chicago" really means. Also, is Chicago's City Council ready for independence? Short answer--no. Long answer--the same. And, what does MAGA mean when they say woke? Turns out MAGA has a hard time figuring that out. Trump indictment countdown. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tribune political writer Gregory Pratt returns to give you the skinny on the race for mayor. Explaining things like...why Mayor Lightfoot and Ja'Mal Green are bashing Brandon Johnson. Whether Chuy lives in K-town (and why it apparently matters). Why Paul Vallas is up in the polls. How secret PACs that pump money to campaigns. And how the Bears are maneuvering to feed from the trough. Oh, yes, the Bears--terrible at football but pretty good at getting handouts. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Rep. Lakesia Collins, chair of the House Black Caucus, returns to deliver her own state of the state. Including...the state of Governor Pritzker and House Speaker Chris Welch. Also, the state of the Republicans. and 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.

Another week, another mayoral poll. This from Mayor Lightfoot that shows she's ahead. As opposed to the Chuy poll that shows he's ahead. And the Vallas poll that shows he's ahead. And the Benny J poll that shows he's ahead. And so forth. That's just one of the news items Dr. D & Ben riff about. Also, new mayoral commercials, ethical quandaries, Willlie Wilson & Tucker Carlson and more. Much more... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

It’s the night after the debate and a week after endorsements so a lot to catch up on. Rachel Joravsky joins Ben to review the news, including…the NYT’s pathetic coverage of Chicago’s mayoral election. The Vallas fundraising edge. And a deep dive on Fox and Tucker and the insurrection. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben offers advice to mayoral candidate Jesus Garcia, not that he asked for it or would ever take it. Then Democratic Socialist activist Sean Estelle talks about getting kicked out of the City Council for…well, it’s not really certain why they got kicked out. Probably had something to do with opposing Mayor Lightfoot’s proposed Com Ed agreement. Apparently, it’s now illegal for the public to criticize the mayor during the public comment portion of a council meeting. Also, a few words about what’s at stake with the Com Ed agreement. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cassie Creswell, a member of Illinois Families For Public Schools, tells you everything you need to know about vouchers. That is, using public tax dollars to pay for private school tuition. Who wants them. Who profits from them. And how they will impact public schools. They're coming to Illinois. Actually, they're already here. And they will expand in Chicago, if Paul Vallas is elected mayor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The smartest brains in Chicago give advice to Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas in advance of tonight’s mayoral debate. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson and Kina Collins, former congressional candidate, talk mayoral politics. Including…Defund as a Republican talking point. Willie Wilson & Jesse White’s Vallas endorsement. And then it’s on to national politics. Fox & MAGA and DeSantis v. Trump. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/p...

Mayor Lightfoot goes after Brandon Johnson. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz returns for another segment of Sounds of the Council. Ben & Dave analyze the council’s recent debate on TIFs and Com Ed. Hear your alders in action. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul Vallas is "surging" in the polls. Ben riffs. And former congressional candidate and gun-control advocate Kina Collins returns to take the deep dive on the mayor's race. Including answering the Marc Sims question about whether there are too many Black candidates. Also, she has a few words about the generational divide in politics. Something she knows about having run against Congressman Danny Davis. Finally, a discussion about Governor Pritzker's aldermanic endorsements. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Activist, singer/songwriter Michael Burton sings a song about the long struggle to make Chicago an equitable and affordable place to live. Joining him on lead guitar is Josh Goldman. Enjoy the songs… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain--Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist--considers the question: Are millennial journalists more courageous than Boomer ones? Ben says yes. Rummana says, it's complicated. Also, a few words about her recent trip to India. And the word on Nikki Haley's campaign for president. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s a week of news to discuss and you can guess what the main topic is…the mayoral election. Joining Ben to beak it down is Rachel Hinton, reporter for the Illinois Answers Project. Topics…how did Lightfoot lose, the endorsement chess game, policing strategies going forward, and key aldermanic races. 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 (47th) discusses ethics in Chicago. More specifically, his attempts to chair the city council’s ethics committee. Also, why it’s prudent, practical and ethical for the council to hold off on approving the Com Ed deal. And which mayoral candidates are doing well in his north side ward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris has a lot of questions on his mind. Will Republicans oust Trump from their party? Well, we know they won't. But can they devise a nice way to encourage him to move aside so he won't destroy the party? Not sure about that either. Can they find a place for George Santos, a brazen liar? Why not, they already found one for Trump. Which begs this question: who's the bigger liar, Santos or Trump? Depends what you mean by liar. And a few words about the 2024 senate race in Arizona--Ruben Gallego v. Kari Lake v. Kyrsten Sinema. You heard it hear first, folks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot comes in third, misses the mayoral runoff. Ben riffs. And veteran journalists Monroe Anderson and Derrick Blakely break down Tuesday’s election results. Why did Lightfoot disrespect Willie Wilson? Can Brandon Johnson win? What happened to Chuy? Why do white people love Paul Vallas so much? And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot rips the city council for asking for more time to consider her Com Ed deal. Ben riffs. And Emma Tai, executive director of the United Working Families, returns to talk aldermanic and mayoral politics. Specifically, is Chicago ready for democracy? And what she means when she says: “I play to win!” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.