Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast

Mayor Johnson traveled to Rome to meet the Pontiff. Immediately, the trip caused controversy. Why? In a major blow to the Chicago Teachers Union, the CORE caucus failed in its bid to raise $8.5M to fund elections. What is the impact on the November elections and the February 2027 mayoral race?

Memorial Day weekend was a mess. While there were few homicides, numerous shootings took place and teen mob actions occurred. How did the mayor's safety plan work? We'll discuss.

Stacy Davis Gates picked a fight with Michael Sacks. Sacks fires back. Activists lose their court battle to have a special prosecutor in Midway Blitz. Was justice for illegal immigrants the goal? Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have words over the loss of the Bears. We'll discuss.

A conversation with Don Tracy, GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate.

The Board of Ethics has fined former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas for illegal campaign contributions. Why now? CPS' budget woes return. Will CPS make the necessary cuts to stay afloat? The Cook County EM program is revealed to have no accounting for 248 criminals. This latest scandal over the program, how can EM survive? We'll discuss.

Former CPD and author Marty Preib joins our panel to discuss Chicago's exoneration industry.

16 months after leaving office, Kim Foxx returns to the headlines and for all the wrong reasons. In a stunning admission, Foxx admitted she believed two men freed by her office were actually guilty of a grisly crime.

A Walgreens branch in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood is closing over a high loss rate and unsafe conditions. Ald. Will Hall calls it "corporate greed. " Is Hall right? Cook County Board of Review member Sam Steele was cleared of driving under the influence. How? We'll discuss.

In this episode of Chicago Contrarian, The Conversation, the panel welcomes Juan Rangal, civic activist and CEO of the Urban Center. In our conversation, we discuss a wide range of subjects, particularly the Urban Center's role in reviving Chicago and the upcoming Board of Education elections.

On Saturday, April 25, two CPD were shot at Swedish Hospital. One was killed; a second was gravely injured. What led to the shooting? What role does the Pre-Trial Fairness Act play in the shooting? WHat role do Cook County judges play? How did moderate Dems. respond to the shooting? We'll discuss.

CTU's day of civic action may have hit an obstacle. CPS parents are now threatening a lawsuit to prevent a "free" day. Mayor Johnson's coveted "millionaires' tax"failed to gain enough traction in the General Assembly. What will the Democrats and Chicago's progressives do next?

In another attempt to kneecap SA Eileen O'Neill Burke, activists are now claiming EOB has been compromised in their effort to pursue legal action against federal agents lawfully enforcing immigration law. We'll discuss.

The battle over whether the CPS or CTU will prevail on May 1 intensified this week. Are students being used to front for CTU members' politics or is May 1 a civic exercise? Aldermen in the City Council fail to marshal sufficient support to override a mayoral veto on One Fair Wage. How many jobs will be lost in the next year? Homeless in Chicago parks may soon be allowed to remain indefinitely if the IGA is successful in HB 1492. We'll discuss.