Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron

Bill Cameron plays his audio collection from his years covering Mayor Richard J. Daley. December 20th marked 40 years since the former mayor's death.

My car does what? Automakers have been offering new vehicle safety technologies designed to prevent crashes but how much do you know about what your car can do? Dr. Daniel McGehee, Director of the University of Iowa National Advanced Driving Simulator talks with Jennifer Keiper about the various technologies and what they do, whether automakers are doing enough to educate consumers about what is available, and offers suggestions for utilizing the technology in slipper conditions.

Bill Cameron interviews Susana A. Mendoza, the Democrat who defeated Leslie Munger for Illinois Comptroller. Mendoza makes controvercial claims about the way Munger has left the office. We then hear Munger's response to these accusations.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz or Crains, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sin-Times. Chicago based entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist J.B. Pritzker is testing the possibility of taking on Illinois Governor, Bruce Rauner as a Democrat in 2018. Similar to Governor Rauner's campaign, it's very possible that a Pritzker campaign could be primarily "self-funded." The city of Chicago has released thousands of Mayor, Rahm Emanuel's personal e-mails. The Better Government Association sued for the release, to find out if the mayor was using private email accounts to possibly hide public business transactions.

What if you had Kyle Schwarber living in your house, before he was Kyle Schwarber of the World Series Winning Chicago Cubs or any other minor league player who makes it to the big show? Sean Freed organizes the Kane County Cougars "Host Family" program. Freed tells us about the program, what is required, and how listeners can get involved.

Governor, Bruce Rauner joins Bill Cameron and updates us on the budget standoff in the statehouse. Can bi-partisan compromises be arranged so a budget can finally be approved? Is Speaker Mike Madigan the problem? Can the pension problem be resolved without 'kicking the can' down the road? Should state legislators be paid before contractors and social service employees of the state?

The Governor outlined four 'major problems' in the state that need to be fixed:

1 major problems good paying jobs and growing the state's economy.

2 Highest property taxes that are crushing business development in the state.

3 Worst funded schools in America and the need for more state funding for schools.

4 Term Limits and other methods to reduce and eliminate cronyism, corruption, and self dealing.

Bill Cameron interviews Locke E. Bowman - MacArthur Justice Center Executive Director, overseeing the Center’s operations at Northwestern University School of Law. Changing the infrastructure of the Chicago Police Department and actions of it's officers as they deal with citizens. What can break the "Blue Line/Code of Silence" among officers? The new ​Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) office is designed to revamp investigations into police shootings and officer misconduct. Are the rules vague? Locke thinks the rules are not emphatic enough to encourage officers to report details to the COPA office following incidents. Will 'the community' be able to have any authority into the changes and enforcement of the new rules. City Hall has settled several cases involving police use of force shootings; does this send a message to citizens that there is a problem in the CPD that still needs to be addressed.

Then Bill Cameron's roundtable with Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's. It's the Rahm and Don meeting... as Donald Trump meets with Mayor Rahm Emanuel in New York city. Topics covered were hopefully more than a discussion of the removal of the honorary street signs from the Chicago Trump Tower Plaza. Will Trump have any influence with Chicago based companies, such as Boeing, which the President elect chastised in a tweet earlier in the week.

With a few weeks to go before the current "stop gap" budget expires, there doesn't appear to be any progress between Speaker, Michael Madigan and Governor, Bruce Rauner in resolving the state's budget issue. As Senator, Mark Kirk steps down, Tammy Duckworth begins the transition process in Washington D.C.

Nick Gale looks at Chicago Aldermen and advocates pushing for a resolution condemning Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence in Chicago and nationally.

The Progressive Caucus has pursued this initiative as part of a national campaign spearheaded by Local Progress, a national network of progressive municipal elected leaders, of which the Progressive Caucus is part. Via that campaign, similar resolutions have passed in major cities all over the country, including San Francisco, New York City, New Orleans and Washington, D.C.​

The resolution passed out of committee and heads to the full council on Dec. 14.

Bill Cameron reflects on the former mayor's career 29 years after his passing.

Jennifer Keiper looks at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the first of the Auto Show Season. It gives us a good idea of what we will see here in Chicago when our show opens in February. She speaks with Darin Gesse, Chevrolet Bolt EV Product Manger, Jessica Rogers, Chevrolet Trucks Marketing Manager, and Michael O'Brien, Ford Group SUV Marketing Director. The discussions focus on electric vehicles, how receptive cities have been to installing more charging stations, and the popularity of trucks and SUVs with the low gas prices we've seen.

Christine Radogno, Republican of the Illinois Senate 41st Legislative District, joins Bill Cameron. They discuss what’s new in a budget standoff in Springfield. They also discuss the gun problems in Chicago, and if repeat offenders should face increased jail time.

Bill is joined by Lynn Sweet from the Sun-Times, Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's. They look at Donald Trump’s cabinet choices and what it will mean for Chicago. They also talk about the proposed policies by the administration including ones regarding Muslims entering the country and the deportation of immigrants. Also Dick Durbin's decision to stay in the senate and not run against Rauner in 2018.

Jennifer Keiper looks at the Illinois Secretary of State's office beginning the process of renewing license plates. Secretary of State Jesse White says, due to a manufacturer's error the old plates have lost their luster making it difficult for law enforcement to see them. He explains how the program works and why, due to budget problems, this is being rolled out in phases rather than a total overhaul.

U.S. Representative for Illinois's 5th congressional district, Mike Quigley.

The Chicago Cub finally have a World Series win and Bill Cameron looks at the reception of the win by public officials including President and Sox fan, Barack Obama, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel, and Governor Rauner. We then hear highlights from the rally in Grant Park this past Friday. Bill is joined by Lynn Sweet from the Sun-Times, Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's. They ask can't officials be more like the Cubs? The team gives their predictions for Tuesday's election. "Nick Gale looks at the opening of the Cook County Health & Hospitals System's new pilot Community Triage Center. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and other dignentaries cut the ribbon at a ceremnony this week.

The center will provide 24/7 intervention and stabilization services for individuals who are at-risk of detention or hospitalization due to a mental health or substance abuse condition.

The center's primary services include mental health crisis assessments and stabilization, health assessments, and referrals for treatment, case management and follow-up. This is the first walk-in clinic of its kind in Chicago.

The county health system put $3 million toward opening and running the clinic this year and used a $348,000 planning grant from Otho SA Sprague Memorial Institute to help develop the clinic. "

Bill Cameron looks at statements made by Chicago Alderman Milly Santiago about not receiving Cubs world Series tickets at face value. He then interviews Inspector General Joe Ferguson.

Bill is joined by Lynn Sweet from the Sun-Times, Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's. They talk about Mark Kirk’s comment in a senate race debate about Tammy Duckworth’s service to our country.

Jennifer Keiper speaks with former Fox News Radio Entertainment Reporter Sabrina Sabbagh. After receiving a cancer diagnosis Sabbagh decided to make some changes in her life. She quit her job, sold most of her possessions and made a plan to travel the world for one year. Two years later, she is still traveling and has written an e-book on how to do what she had done - travel better, cheaper, and longer. She also tells us about some of the more than 60 countries she has visited and how to be safe when traveling alone.