Chicago Power Poll

There's a chill in the air, but the October 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin has a few fires burning.

Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. Our special guest this month led the Chicago Tribune as editor-in-chief when his team won the Pulitzer for local reporter. Prior to that, Colin McMahon spent spent 15 years guiding the Trib's foreign bureaus in Moscow, Buenos Aires, Mexico City & Baghdad. He's a lecturer at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism guiding the Military Reporting Project.

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

• What is the biggest issue Chicago leaders are not addressing effectively enough?

• Why do you think people are leaving Chicago?

• What topic do Chicagoans need to have a more honest conversation about?

• If City Hall could solve ONLY ONE major issue in the next five years, what should it be?

• With Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, several Chicago suburbs are shifting trick-or-treat windows significantly earlier into the daytime to manage public safety and logistics. Do you believe the City of Chicago should follow suit and implement official, designated daytime trick-or-treating hours?

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

The September 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin scours the wisdom of big thinkers. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. Our special guest this month is a revered crime reporter, 8-time Emmy Award-winner, underwater documentarian, and community builder. We're pleased to welcome Anna Davlantes to our show.

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

• What's your reaction to Mayor Brandon Johnson not changing course as he seeks a second term?

• Chicago faces an $882.4 million gap in the 2027 budget — What should be the first move to correct that?

• Homicides and shootings are near multi-decade lows. What do you believe is driving the decline?

• White Sox minority owner Justin Ishbia unveiled plans for a new "Railyards" ballpark in the South Loop. How do you think this mega-development should go down?

• President Trump pledged a $5,000 "dividend" to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans hold both the House and Senate in November — How should Chicago's influentials treat that?
• Mayor Johnson's kickoff put a moratorium on new data centers and higher taxes on high earners at the center of a second term. What should Chicago do?
• Do you believe there should be a slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence?

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

The August 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin brings a downpour of opinions. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. Our special guest this month is an Emmy Award-winning Chicago radio & television personality, author, actress, and multi-platform journalist. We're pleased to welcome Jenniffer Weigel to our show. Jen is now the managing director of Wayfarer Media.

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

• If Pope Leo XIV were to visit Chicago for a special public event or mass in 2027, would you attend?

• A new Washington Post–Ipsos poll found that "only 39% percent" of all American voters would consider voting for a presidential candidate who identifies as a Democratic Socialist. How would you have answered that question?

• How would you rate the current process in the Illinois House for receiving, reviewing, and acting on complaints of sexual misconduct?

• Would you support or oppose Illinois suspending the gas tax that helps fund public transportation?

• What are the three things you believe are most important to your quality of life?

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

Our July 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin carries a hot breeze off the lake. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. Our special guest this month is one of the most respected voices over three decades on Chicago radio. You've heard Steve Cochran on legendary stations like WLUP, WLS, and WGN. Now you can follow his show on the podcast Live from My Office. Steve wit and wisdom can also be read on Substack.

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

• What is your overall opinion of the proposed 45-cent increase for passenger tolls and 30% hike in commercial tolls.

• Does the practice of filing for two different political offices affect your view of a candidate's sincerity, focus, and commitment to taxpayers?

• Which summer activity best reflects how you enjoy Chicago this time of year?

• How much does the success of both the White Sox and the Cubs add to your enjoyment of summer in Chicago?

• Thinking about stress levels with the people closest to you, how would you describe their overall sense of well‑being and enjoyment of daily life these days?

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

Our June 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin is taps into new levels of visionary leadership. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. This month's special guest is the counselor's counselor, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies globally, Jack Modzelewski.

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

• The Bears say they're moving to Hammond, Indiana. How do you feel about the move?

• Who do you believe is most resposible, if the Bears move to Indiana?

• When you walk the streets of Chicago, what does your gut/instinct tell you about our city life?

• After the release of federal UFO videos, has your belief in life on other planets changed?

• What do you expect the Obama Presidential Center's impact to be on the city over the next few years?

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

Our May 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin is stirring the pot with six new questions. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. This month's special guest is another veteran journalist, Axios Chicago's Justin Kaufmann.

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

• How would you rate your confidence in Chicago's overall business climate?

• Which factor most influences your confidence level in Chicago's 2027 business climate?

• Who among the potential candidates for Mayor of Chicago are most likely to emerge as the top three contenders?

• With the recent Hantavirus outbreak, how confident are you in the federal government's ability to handle emerging global health threats?

• Has the outbreak influenced your upcoming travel, event-hosting, or public-facing decisions?
• Given the opportunity, who would you most like to have dinner with from the President Trump's cabinet?

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

Our April 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin is showering you with five fresh questions. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. Mr. Flannery will once again dazzle you with his word of the day. This month's special guest is Paul Vallas, former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and an education superintendent famous for rebuilding the New Orleans schools in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

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

• Which leadership quality is most essential for Chicago's next mayor?

• What best describes your opinion of how the city is managing "teen takeovers" in the Loop and nearby neighborhoods

• How concerned are you that the war in Iran might lead to broader conflict and more American casualties?

• Do you believe now is the right time for the U.S. to resume human travel to the moon?

• Are term limits necessary to improve the effectiveness of Congress?

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

Our March 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin is here to stir your thinking with five fresh questions impacting the region. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. This month's special guest is Amy Jacobson, host of The Real Story on WIND Radio.

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

• What does the Bears-Indiana negotiation signal about our region's competitive landscape?

• How will a St. Patrick's Day primary affect voter behavior?

• Which rising cost has become your "affordabilty" nightmare this year?

• What's your biggest concern about the U.S-Iran confict?

• Share your biggest consideration on whether Illinois should opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program

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

Feel the love of our February 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power pollers emptied their sizeable wisdom on 5 new questions. Once again, Thom welcomes the Dean of Chicago political reporters Mike Flannery. This month's special guest is the CEO & President of The Urban Center, Juan Rangel

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

• Should Illinois move its Presidential primary to first-in-the-nation for 2028?

• What was the NFL's strategic intent with Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show?

• Should the U.S. pursue hosting future Winter Olympics?

• After the DOJ's release of 3M+ pages of Epstein files, what should legislators prioritize?

• What are your Valentine's Day Plans?

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

Welcome to Season 3: the January 2026 edition of the Chicago Power Poll podcast with Thom Serafin. Our power pollers have downloaded their wisdom on seven revealing questions. Once again, Thom will tap into the quick wit of veteran Chicago political journalist Mike Flannery. This month's special guest is a 30-year veteran of Crain's Chicago Business. Greg Hinz is also the former political editor at Chicago Magazine, and the Lerner Newspapers.

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

• What's your opinion on immigration enforcement and civil liberties?

• How should the U.S. respond to the protests in Iran?

• Was the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolàs Maduro necessary?

• What priorities should Chicago set for the city to truly thrive?

• Where should the city put its hands and heart when it comes to community service?

• If the Bears make it all the way to the Super Bowl, do you plan to make the trip?*

• Why have hundreds of Chicago restaurants closed their doors in recent years?

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

*NOTE: This month's power poll was conducted prior to the Bears' loss to Los Angeles in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.