Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron

Bill Cameron interviews Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They discuss issues surrounding the city, including the attacks in Belgium this week and how it affects Chicago, and statements made by Donald Trump.

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 battle between presidential candidates Ted Cruz and Donald Trump over the GOP nomination, and the state pension struggle.

Then John Dempsey on is on reforms at the state Department of Child and Family Services.

Bill Cameron interviews Kim Foxx. She talks about her win in the election this past Tuesday, Anita Alvarez's reaction to the results, John J. Escalante not in Rahm Emanuel's picks for the new police superintendent, how well she thinks she'll work with Rahm, and how she will handle "bad cops."

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long and Hal Dardick of the Chicago Tribune, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times. They discuss President Obama's Supreme court nominee, the results of the presidential primary last Tuesday in Illinois and across the nation, Anita Alvarez's loss in the campaign for Cook County State's Attorney, and all the details of the Illinois election.

Jennifer Keiper is joined by Nolan Katerberg who talks about Ford's Driving Skills for life program which teaches decision making and other skills to drivers of all ages, across the country, including Illinois. The latest addition to the program is a "drugged driving suit." Katerberg let us try on the weights, impaired vision glasses, and headphones. We also were given a police sobriety test to experience what the students in the program do, when they're learning about impaired driving.

Bill Cameron reviews the local rallies that have taken place before this Tuesday's primary election. Hillary talks up education at Vernon Hills rally and Kasich defends Gov Rauner at Lisle rally. Then Blagojevich's attorney Len Goodman explains why the U S Supreme Court should take his appeal.

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 Rauner's employment figures not being what they seemed. Do democrat policies work? Then they give an in-depth look at this Tuesday's primary in Illinois on the Presidential and local level.

"Nick Gale focuses on top consumer complaints reported to the attorney general's office. New in 2015, education related complaints. Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced her office’s annual top 10 consumer complaints for 2015 that again show consumer debt and identity theft ranked as the top concerns among Illinois consumers in the last year. And for the first time - education-related complaints made the list - as student borrowers grapple with mounting student loan debt, issues with loan servicers and predatory for-profit schools. To further address these issues, Madigan also announced a lawsuit against another student loan debt relief scam. Madigan’s lawsuit against Lombard, Ill.-based National Student Loan Rescue, LLC (NSLR) and Gregory Kewin, one of NSLR’s principals, alleges numerous violations of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Debt Settlement Consumer Protection Act. Madigan’s office received 25,094 complaints in 2015."

Bill Cameron interviews State's Attorney for Cook County, Anita Alvarez. She discusses her reelection campaign and answers the question "what's wrong with Kim Foxx?" She addresses why it took more than a year to indict the officer that shot Laquan McDonald. She also addresses other opponent Donna More, funding her own campaign, and Senator Durbin endorsing Kim Foxx.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the recognition Greg received from the head of Crain's, the GOP resorting to jokes about certain candidate's "manhood", Donald Trump seems to get bigger whenever he is criticized, and the latest on the race for Cook County State's Attorney.

Then John Dempsey on the expansion of the Navy Pier Shakespeare theater.

Jim Durkin is a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 82nd District. The states “unpaid bills” are piling up and the budget impasse seems to have no end, but Rep. Durkin tells Bill Cameron that Republicans on the floor of the state house are trying to get things done, but it’s the democrats that are refusing to pass any GOP sponsored legislation. One change that has happened occurred when Rep. Ken Duncan refused to take the “party line” and refused to follow Democrat leadership. Is he the traitor to the Democrat Party? State employee raises are on hold and Governor Rauner is promising to get more from state contracts with union employees including a full 40 hour workweek. Some unions have nauseated successfully but one in particular – AFSCME -- The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. They have repeatedly turned down changes requested by Governor Rauner to help meet the states financial needs. Republican member Illinois House of Representatives, 23 year old Avery Bourne is just one of several GOP statehouse members being challenged in this years elections. Can she keep her seat and what is the Republican Party doing to make sure they don’t lose seats in the statehouse?

Bill Cameron is joined by Lynn Sweet of The Chicago Sun-Times, Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business.

The Trump campaign is on a roll and he is doing well in several polls. Are GOP leaders worried that he can actually sweep the southern states on Super Tuesday? And of all people, Chuy Garcia endorsed Speaker, Mike Madigan for re-election. What was behind that decision? Cook County State’s Attorney, Anita Versus Kim Foxx – all of the major Chicago newspapers have endorsed Foxx – is it time for Anita to go?

Jennifer Keiper talks with Dr. Annabelle Volgman, a Cardiologist at Rush University Medical Center about heart disease. Exactly who is prone to developing it and why a recent American Heart Association study finds that women are ignoring heart disease risks. Dr. Volgman also discusses her three-pronged approach to handling heart disease.

Bill speaks with Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the United Center. They discuss the NHL draft coming to Chicago, police and school probes, an O'Hare to downtown express rail possibility, and when the Cubs might get all star game.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss President Obama's visit to Springfield, is it time for Mike Madigan to go? Rahm Emanuel trying to make a deal to get an express train to O'Hare, and could Joe Biden still be a possible nominee due to Hillary's shortcoming?

Nick Gale looks at the Cooking Up Change initiative and competition. This year 16 Chicago high school teams competed against each other to create a meal to be served throughout CPS. The winning team is from Washington High School. Their dish was a Cajun chicken lettuce wrap, roasted corn relish and peach and yogurt pizza. This coming week the dish is supposed to be served in CPS schools, and in June the students will take their dish to Washington, D.C. to compete in a national competition.

Bill reviews audio from this week of Rauner vs. Rahm on topics such as the growing turmoil in Chicago Public Schools.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the outcome of the Iowa caucuses this week and revisit what they talked about last week with Trump's supporters appearing more as simply "fans". They talk about Trump getting more zany as well as Hillary appearing more aggressive in the debates. Also the fate of the Chicago Sun-Times and the candidates for state's attorney debate.

John Dempsey goes further into the future of the Chicago Sun Times.

Bill speaks with Emily Miller of Voices for Illinois Children & the Responsible Budget Coalition. They discuss the continuing budget standoff between Governor Rauner and Speaker Madigan. They dissect the social services that cannot be provided to Illinois residents because of the lack of a state budget. Services including the Autism Project, help from assault victims, and child care. We also hear a story from the governor about his first meeting with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the Iowa caucus next week, if Trump is drawing fans or voters, Rauner and school reform, and solutions to the police brutality issue.

"Nick Gale covers veterans and others who are calling on Gov. Bruce Rauner to expand the medical marijuana program. One of the conditions proposed by an advisory board includes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Caprice Sweatt is the founder of Medical Cannabis Outreach. She argues that the governor needs to act now as there are a number of veteran suicides related to PTSD everyday in the country. Lon Hodge is a veteran who suffers from PTSD. He says he has tried to attempt suicide but since trying marijuana in Colorado, his life has gotten better. He is urging Rauner to act now. "

Bill speaks with Cook County Sherriff Tom Dart. They discuss the issue of police brutality, Rahm's recovery, and how he handles issues. Does Dart see himself running for any other office? Does he think Rahm can get reelected? Is there breaking the code of silence among officers? And who's his pick to win State's Attorney?

Bill Cameron is joined by Lynn Sweet of The Chicago Sun-Times, Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They discuss the snow storm headed to Washington, is the back and forth between Rauner and Rahm an act? Why is Karen Lewis suddenly siding with Rahm ?

Jennifer Keiper discusses efforts to reduce youth smoking and the recent reform package introduced to Chicago City Council to, among other things, raise the tobacco purchase age to 21 and tax tobacco products beyond cigarettes. Dr. Julie Morita also talks about the dangers of smoking, as well as vaping, and resulting illnesses.