Connected To Chicago - 04-12-15 - This week's newsmaker interview features David Axelrod. He discusses his book Believer: My Forty Years in Politics as well as lessons he's learned from the mayoral election, and the future he predicts for Rahm Emanuel. In the roundtable, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. They discuss Rahm's election win this past week and how he will combat Governor Bruce Rauner. Also Senator Mark Kirk's reelection chances, and problems for Hillary in a presidential campaign. Then Nick Gale has a recap of the tornadoes that hit on Thursday with comments by Governor Bruce Rauner and tornado survivor Raymond Kramer. Martha Carlos of the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois, which is coordinating some of the recover efforts, talks about immediate needs of the affected residents and the importance of being prepared and having a plan in the event that disaster strikes.

Connected To Chicago - 04-12-15 - This week's newsmaker interview features David Axelrod. He discusses his book Believer: My Forty Years in Politics as well as lessons he's learned from the mayoral election, and the future he predicts for Rahm Emanuel. In the roundtable, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. They discuss Rahm's election win this past week and how he will combat Governor Bruce Rauner. Also Senator Mark Kirk's reelection chances, and problems for Hillary in a presidential campaign. Then Nick Gale has a recap of the tornadoes that hit on Thursday with comments by Governor Bruce Rauner and tornado survivor Raymond Kramer. Martha Carlos of the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois, which is coordinating some of the recover efforts, talks about immediate needs of the affected residents and the importance of being prepared and having a plan in the event that disaster strikes.

Connected To Chicago - 04-05-15 - This week's newsmaker interview features Chuy Garcia. With just days before the election Bill Cameron asks him what he learned from this campaign with Rahm. He also covers how Garcia plans to fill holes in the budget taking into account his plans to hire 1000 more police officers and eliminate red light enforcement cameras. With the CTA expected to lose considerable state funding, what is his plan to avoid fare hikes? And would he allow the George Lucas museum to leave Chicago if it would demand lake front real estate? In the roundtable, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. They discuss who they feel will win the election, and Obama's new Iran deal and the analogy that Senator Mark Kirk used to describe the deal. Speaking of Kirk, will he be defeated Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth in 2016? And the controversy of religious objection this past week. Then John Dempsey looks at the CTA second chance program.

Connected To Chicago - 04-05-15 - This week's newsmaker interview features Chuy Garcia. With just days before the election Bill Cameron asks him what he learned from this campaign with Rahm. He also covers how Garcia plans to fill holes in the budget taking into account his plans to hire 1000 more police officers and eliminate red light enforcement cameras. With the CTA expected to lose considerable state funding, what is his plan to avoid fare hikes? And would he allow the George Lucas museum to leave Chicago if it would demand lake front real estate? In the roundtable, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. They discuss who they feel will win the election, and Obama's new Iran deal and the analogy that Senator Mark Kirk used to describe the deal. Speaking of Kirk, will he be defeated Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth in 2016? And the controversy of religious objection this past week. Then John Dempsey looks at the CTA second chance program.

Connected To Chicago - 03-29-15 - The Chicago mayoral runoff election is quickly approaching and returning as this week's newsmaker is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Bill asks him the tough questions of the race and tests his confidence in defeating his opponent, Commissioner Jesus Garcia. In the roundtable, Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune discuss Chuy's strong performance at this week's debate and his attack on Rahm's self image. Also the continuing state budget issue, Dick Durbin is number 2 in the Democrat caucus, and Aaron Shock equating himself to Lincoln as he departs his public office. Then Jennifer Keiper speaks with Ben Corey of the American Red Cross. He talks about the urgent need to restock blood supply shelves after a harsh winter, what types are needed, how you can give and who is eligible.

Connected To Chicago - 03-29-15 - The Chicago mayoral runoff election is quickly approaching and returning as this week's newsmaker is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Bill asks him the tough questions of the race and tests his confidence in defeating his opponent, Commissioner Jesus Garcia. In the roundtable, Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune discuss Chuy's strong performance at this week's debate and his attack on Rahm's self image. Also the continuing state budget issue, Dick Durbin is number 2 in the Democrat caucus, and Aaron Shock equating himself to Lincoln as he departs his public office. Then Jennifer Keiper speaks with Ben Corey of the American Red Cross. He talks about the urgent need to restock blood supply shelves after a harsh winter, what types are needed, how you can give and who is eligible.

Connected To Chicago - 03-21-15 - This week's newsmaker is State Representative Elaine Nekritz. She discusses pension reform and how will they pass it, as well as who is responsible for the poor state they are in. She also speaks with Bill about what revenue producing items she supports. How does she feel about a service tax, or a city casino? We hear the latest on Medicade cuts and prison reform. In the roundtable, Aaron Schock is under attack by the federal government, what a retired teachers' union lobbyist did that's making news, the Israeli election, mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia's change in stance on a city casino, and one of the Obama's close friends buying property in Hawaii. Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. Then Nick Gale focuses on bills in the state House and Senate that would create age appropriate sentencing discretion for judges and would also provide for reviews of juvenile offenders. Supporters of the measure say it would help with Governor Bruce Rauner's ambitions to deal with overcrowding at state prisons and bring Illinois into Compliance with US Supreme Court rulings.

Connected To Chicago - 03-21-15 - This week's newsmaker is State Representative Elaine Nekritz. She discusses pension reform and how will they pass it, as well as who is responsible for the poor state they are in. She also speaks with Bill about what revenue producing items she supports. How does she feel about a service tax, or a city casino? We hear the latest on Medicade cuts and prison reform. In the roundtable, Aaron Schock is under attack by the federal government, what a retired teachers' union lobbyist did that's making news, the Israeli election, mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia's change in stance on a city casino, and one of the Obama's close friends buying property in Hawaii. Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. Then Nick Gale focuses on bills in the state House and Senate that would create age appropriate sentencing discretion for judges and would also provide for reviews of juvenile offenders. Supporters of the measure say it would help with Governor Bruce Rauner's ambitions to deal with overcrowding at state prisons and bring Illinois into Compliance with US Supreme Court rulings.

Connected To Chicago - 03-14-15 - This week's newsmaker is President of the Illinois state Senate, John Cullerton. He discusses the new state budget, and the initiative for a state tax on services. His also addresses whether there will be reform at the College of DuPage in light of frivolous spending at the institution, and wh0 is his pick for mayor? In the round table, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune from Springfield, John Byrne of the Tribune from City Hall, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They break down the promises being made by the incumbent mayor and his challenger in the final weeks before the runoff election, the new Illinois budget, the rumors of the Obama's planning on relocating to New York City and how it'd affect the library plans, and is Aaron Schock toast? Then, thousands of Illinois residents could lose their federal health insurance subsidies in a case that is before the U.S. Supreme Court. Jennifer Keiper talks to Rich Umbdenstock, head of the American Hospital Association on the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on Illinoisans. He also talks about openness in hospital pricing, billing and collections. The Supreme Court opinion is expected to be released this summer.

Connected To Chicago - 03-14-15 - This week's newsmaker is President of the Illinois state Senate, John Cullerton. He discusses the new state budget, and the initiative for a state tax on services. His also addresses whether there will be reform at the College of DuPage in light of frivolous spending at the institution, and wh0 is his pick for mayor? In the round table, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune from Springfield, John Byrne of the Tribune from City Hall, and Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business. They break down the promises being made by the incumbent mayor and his challenger in the final weeks before the runoff election, the new Illinois budget, the rumors of the Obama's planning on relocating to New York City and how it'd affect the library plans, and is Aaron Schock toast? Then, thousands of Illinois residents could lose their federal health insurance subsidies in a case that is before the U.S. Supreme Court. Jennifer Keiper talks to Rich Umbdenstock, head of the American Hospital Association on the impact of the Supreme Court ruling on Illinoisans. He also talks about openness in hospital pricing, billing and collections. The Supreme Court opinion is expected to be released this summer.