Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron

Bill Cameron Newsmaker Interview:

Bill Cameron gets the inside story on the wrap-up of the state legislature's spring session from State Christine Radogno, the Senate Republican Leader from the 41st district. With a lack of a balanced budget, there are several agencies that won't get funding, including the Chicago Public Schools. Can there be a compromise before the first day of school in the fall? Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins (21st), and Janice Jackson, CPS chief education officer suggest racial composition as the source of problems for funding the CPS.

Round Table Panel:

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. Hillary takes on Trump posing the question, "Do we want [Trump] making those calls -- someone thin-skinned and quick to anger, who lashes out at the smallest criticism? Do we want his finger anywhere near the button?" during her foreign policy address this past Wednesday. ComEd parent company Elexon announces the closure of 2 nuclear power plants and the Chicago Tribune becomes 'tronc'.

Community Spotlight:

Bill Gulker, Ford's Wind Noise Supervisor discusses the automaker's new mobile wind tunnel which can be taken from one assembly plant to another. He also discusses the science behind reducing wind noise in car cabins and mentions how the work he does now is inspired by the wind tunnels he used to create during his high school physics class.

Bill Cameron sits down with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They discuss Chicago teachers' pensions, The Governor's turnaround agenda and if it's working, Donald Trump is the suspected as the Republican presidential nominee, and what he thinks of an idea his appointee proposed that goes against what he has been fighting for.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the show business surrounding a possible Sanders/Trump debate, the problems surrounding the TSA and long airport security lines, the possibility of a state budget, and gridlock in Washington on a Supreme court nominee.

John Dempsey looks at the Black Star Project on Chicago violence with Philip Jackson.

Bill Cameron talks to former Blaine Elementary School Principal, Troy LaRaviere who was just elected president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. LaRaviere was recently removed his position at Blaine School and has claimed that his criticism of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s was the cause for his suspension as principal. Can LaRaviere be using this position to prepare and promote himself for a possible mayoral run against Rahm in 2019??

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. Trump and Hillary made statements about the downing of an Egypt Air flight, but did they speak too soon? Is Donald Trump's 'Zaniness' distracting from the issues? Why are there so many delays at US airports??? Is it the TSA lacking staff or are the passengers to blame? It appears that Chicago is about to lose it's status as "second Most Populous" to Houston. What's to blame for the mass exodus?

This week's segment covers the Secretary of State announcing that the state will soon start issuing a security enhanced drivers license. To achieve this, the state will issue licenses from a central location in Springfield. Driver will receive them by mail instead of receiving them at the DMV. Despite this upgrade, the state is still short on meeting the standards of the Federal REAL ID Act. To overcome that deficiency, legislation must be passed by the general assembly.

Bill Cameron is "On the Record" with Mayor Richard J. Daley to mark what would have been the mayor's 114th birthday. Listen to some classic highlights from the first 'Mayor Daley'. Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business for this weeks round-table. Will a Chicago Public Schools teacher strike be avoided before the onset of fall elections and who has the pot of money to fix the failing CPS system? It's a go for a workplace retaliation lawsuit against Tammy Duckworth with allegations going back to her stint as head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. John Dempsey highlights the city of Chicago's 'Summer Jobs' program for disadvantaged youth, during which Mayor Emanuel notes that the 'media' won't report the story because it's a "positive" activity for youth.

Bill Cameron speaks with Illinois Senator Matt Murphy from the 27th District. Bill asks ""what's happening with the Republican Party?"" They discuss Illinois policy, what will it take to reach an agreement for a state budget, and the mention of his hometown Palatine by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel in regards to the teachers' union.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss Trump as the only remaining Republican candidate and why Illinois Republicans won't support him. Also States' Attorney Alvarez flip-flops on her Laquon McDonald decision.

Jennifer Keiper looks at Cabrini Green, which resembles little of what it was back in the 80's.  Now, there is a new addition.  The ribbon has been cut in front of a new Chicago Housing Authority development in the near north side neighborhood.  It is called "Terrace 459 at Parkside of Old Town."  Peter Holsten, Managing Broker and Director of Development for Holsten Chicago says projects like this are about people's lives and making connections. Congressman Danny Davis says the mixed-income living arrangement took $41-million of reinvestment in the community.  Alderman Walter Burnett says, when it comes to the Terrace development that the residents are partners in the development.  They own 49% of it.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel says projects like this took a big hit during the recession and while the Terrace residence has been realized, there is still a lot of work ahead.

Bill Cameron speaks with Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan. They discuss the removal of the statute of limitations on certain crimes so situations such as Dennis Hastert's sex crimes do not happen in the future. Then Bill interviews Barbara Blaine of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. She discusses her own personal story of abuse and what their organization is doing to help victims of abuse.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the ruling in the Dennis Hastert case. Also, are there enough 'angry white people' to elect Donald Trump?

Dunbar High School, on Chicago's near South Side, is featuring a new program that focuses on the trades.  Jennifer Keiper interviews Dunbar Principal Gerald Morrow who calls it a "labor of love" that creates a pipeline to jobs not prisons.  Congressman Bobby Rush says this program was a long time coming and takes students beyond just being employees.  He says it offers them the opportunity to own their own business.  Donald Finn with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers says they'd like to see this program expanded to other Chicago schools.  Student Devonte Phillips, who is now taking part in the carpentry program is getting ready to join the carpenter's union to do a 4-year apprenticeship.  Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the vocational program will expand students' horizons.

Bill Cameron interviews Lori Lightfoot, President of the Chicago Board who has insight about the Police Accountability report on the Laquan McDonald shooting. Is there racism in the CPD? Lightfoot feels that change can be made to handle police actions differently as well as options to reduce overall crime by minorities in minority areas. Lightfoot says that too many city residents feel that the police do not fundamentally respect residents.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet and Fran Spielman, of The Sun-Times. They discuss the news of the week including the city's proposal to partially demolish the McCormick Center Lakeside Center to build the George Lucas Museum. Will Eddie Johnson be the next top cop? Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan unbelievably compared Bruce Rauner to Rod Blagojevich. Lou Lang proposes a graduated income tax for Illinois residents and is it possible for a "White Knight" GOP candidate to show up before the convention?

Nick Gale highlights upcoming hearings of the Veteran's Suicide Task Force. State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit helped to create the Task Force on Veterans' Suicide. The Task Force will gather information from veterans, organizations and companies on how the state can more effectively meet the needs of the veteran community. This includes focusing on all aspects of a veteran’s support network, employment, and support for the family of veterans, in addition to their time spent in combat. The hearings scheduled to take place across the State will focus on the mental health challenges facing veterans from all eras of service.

Bill Cameron interviews Congressman Mike Quigley. They discuss President Obama's visit to Chicago this week, the infrastructure needs of his district, and why the terrorists hate us.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of The Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the news of the week including the Obama visit this week, and safety around Wrigley Field this baseball season. Should we close the surrounding streets to prevent an attack?

Jennifer Keiper interviews Jesse Billauer, quadriplegic and founder of the non-profit organization "Life Rolls On."

Bill Cameron interviews newly appointed Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. They discuss "who is Eddie Johnson?", Chicago street violence, the hiring of Jason Van Dike by the police union, standing up to Rahm, and why we should be optimistic with a new police leader.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Lynn Sweet of The Sun-Times, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss if we are headed to a contested republican convention, President Obama returning to Chicago to talk up his supreme court nominee, is it over for Bernie Sanders? And the Chicago Teachers' Union strike.

Nick Gale looks at the Department of Public Heath’s comprehensive four year plan to improve health for all Chicagoans. Dr. Julie Morita - Commissioner of the department says Healthy Chicago 2.0 is a public health plan for the next four years for the entire city.