Welcome to the June 2025 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power pollers have spoken their minds on 5 new topics. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery This month's special guest is Joan Esposito, a veteran television journalist for over two decades. Joan now guards the topics of the day, as the host of afternoon drive on WCPT Radio in Chicago.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Do you approve of President Trump's decision to call the California National Guard into federal service?

• How concerned are you about massive service cuts to public transit, since Illinois' new budget ingored the RTA's $771 million fiscal cliff?

• What do you think is the primary reason for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's declining popularity?

• Should taxpayers provide financial support to the Chicago Bears for their new stadium?

• The U.S. Justice Department has launched an investigation into Chicago's hiring practices. What do you think about the Mayor's hiring for city positions?
• Do you support the State of Illinois' new taxes on sports betting, tobacco, and other items as a means to balance the budget?

Thom, Mike, and Joan will share our Power Poll results and get into their analysis of the answers here on this month's episode.

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power pollers have spoken their minds on 5 new topics. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome special guest John Dempsey, an award-winning Chicago journalist who has graced the newsrooms of WBEZ, Fox32, WBBM NewsRadio, WMAQ, and WLS-AM. John is now the host of the podcast "What Does It Mean?"

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• What's the best way for Chicago to welcome Pope Leo XIV, the next time he visits his hometown?

• Should Chicago police be authorized to issue "snap curfews" for teens?

• How would you rate Mayor Brandon Johnson's relationship with the city's business community?

• What concerns do you have about the current federal funding freeze on research at universities like Northwestern?

• Rate the effectiveness of Mayor Johnson's efforts to secure state funds for the City of Chicago.

Thom, Mike, and John will share our Power Poll results and get into their analysis of the answers here on this month's episode.

Here are April's showers. Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power players answer 5 new questions, that impact work and play. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome special guest Jeanne Sparrow, seven-time Emmy winner, and former host of "U & Me in the Morning on Chicago's WCIU-TV. Jeanne is a well-known radio radio personality (WGCI & V103), and just published her first book, Fearless Authenticity.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Do you agree with the Trump administration's recent tariff announcements?

• Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and St. Louis are the most popular destinations when Chicagoans leave our city. Which choice surprised you most?

• Do you own an EV, or would you consider buying one in 2025?

• Which notable Illinois politician would make the best conversation over dinner?

• What's your favorite outdoor spot to experience spring in Chicago?

Thom, Mike, and Jeanne will share our Power Poll results and get into their analysis of the answers here on the April 2025 edition of our show.

Beware the queries of March. Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power players answer 5 new questions, with Illinois on a collision course with our nation's capital. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome special guest Justin Kaufmann, a seasoned storyteller and story chaser, as a Chicago journalist. The veteran radio host (WGN & WBEZ) now writes daily at Axios.com.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Do you think Chicago's government needs a city charter?

• Should cell phones be banned in Chicago Public Schools?

• How would you rate Mayor Brandon Johnson's appearance before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform?

• Is Donald Trump on the right track with his recent policies and actions?

• Will Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker make a run for the Presidency?

Thom, Mike, and Justin will share our Power Poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the March 2025 edition of our show.

Buckle up for the February 2025 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. The month brings 5 new questions, and with some breaking news on Illinois' former governor. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome special guest James "Skinny" Sheahan, a Southwest Side civic treasure. Mr. Sheahan is former Director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events, and a self-described Irish thoroughbred.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• How would you rank Chicago's most pressing civic issues?

• Who is most likely to run against Brandon Johnson in Chicago's next mayoral election?

• Fill in the blank. The Super Bowl halftime show starring Kendrick Lamar was _________.

• Was former Governor Rod Blagojevich deserving of a Presidential pardon?

• Do you support President Donald Trump's decision to stop production of the penny?

Thom, Mike, and "Skinny" Sheahan will share our Power Poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the February edition of our show.

Welcome to Season 2 -- the January 2025 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. The new year brings 5 new questions, and some fascinating conversation about the poll results. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome a special guest who spent ten years in the U.S. Congress representing the citizens of Illinois' 17th District. Cheri Bustos is a Springfield native and partner at Mercury Public Affairs.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Should the United States take back the Panama Canal?

• Do you believe the California fires could have been prevented?

• Will the testimony of Mike Madigan help or hurt his defense on racketeering charges?

• Will the U.S. be better off after year one of Donald Trump's next Presidency?

• Should the Illinois legislature pass a bill allowing for a recall of mayoral elections?

Thom, Mike, and Congresswoman Bustos will share our Power Poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the January edition of our show.

Here comes our December '24 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. We'll get some heavy chat with 5 new questions, and analyze the results. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome syndicated columnist Terry Savage, "The Money Lady" who also enlightens audiences weekly on WGN Radio & TV.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Do you think Daylight Saving Time should be eliminated?

• Is birthright citizenship a policy that can be abused?

• After 42 years on both Houses of Congress, will Senator Dick Durbin retire?

• Have Americans forgotten the true meaning of Christmas?

• Will your holidays include a warmer climate getaway, or will you brave the Chicago cold?

Thom, Mike, and Terry will share our Power Poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the December edition of our show.

Time for our November '24 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. We'll get into our post-election chat with 5 new questions. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome ABC7's award-winning political reporter Craig Wall.

This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Is Donald Trump's return to the White House a positive for lllinois' economic health?

• What was the number one issue that drove voters to cast their ballots for Trump?

• Do you believe Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will pursue the Presidency in 2028?

• How would you resolve the City of Chicago's nearly $1 billion budget deficit?

• Are you planning on dining or shopping in downtown Chicago this holiday season?

Thom, Mike, and Craig will share our Power Poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the November edition of our show.

Here's our October '24 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. We'll stir the pot with 5 more thought-provoking questions. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome one of the coolest heads in Chicago politics, Forrest Claypool. He's run the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Transit Authority, and also served as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. Claypool's new book, The Daley Show, recounts his time as Mayor Richard M. Daley's chief of staff. This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• How do you feel about Mayor Brandon Johnson's influence over the Board of Education?

• Do you believe the new school board will make significant improvements in public ed?

• What to you think of the shift away from remote work?

• What issues do you think voters care most about in the upcoming Presidential election?

• Following the Bears big win in London, how confident are you in their playoff chances?

Thom, Mike, and Forrest will share the poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the October edition of our show.

Here's our September '24 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. We'll dive into 5 more thought-provoking questions. Joining Thom, once again, is veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery We also welcome the Emmy Award winning journalist, Anne Kavanagh , contributing reporting for Fox32 Chicago. Anne also teaches investigative journalism at DePaul University. This month, we asked our Power Pollers to answer these questions:

• Do you think Chicago's Shotspotter gun shot detection technology helped save lives?

• Should the Chicago Public School Board vote to oust Superintendent Pedro Martinez?

• Would it be a good idea for the U.S. Surgeon General to place a warning on social media?

• Is the CTA effectively serving the people of Chicago?

• Do voters need another presidential debate to decide which candidate will get their vote.

Thom, Mike, and Anne will share the poll results and get into what's driving the answers here on the September edition of our show.