Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron

Connected To Chicago - 10-26-14 - Host, Bill Cameron is joined by Martin Oberman, Chairman of METRA who updates the recent changes in the commuter rail system, and defends the recent announcement of fare increases for METRA riders. From ageing infrastructure to employee compensation, the everyday operating costs are rising and Chairman Oberman explains it all.

In the Round Table, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune to discuss: Roaches in the Chicago City Hall and who got the call to remove them. With less than 2 weeks, some polls are calling the race for Governor of Illinois a "dead heat". Are women more likely to support one candidate over the other, and one big factor in the news was the federal judge installing a "monitor" for the Illinois Department of Transportation to check on hiring at IDOT. Sun-Times writer Dave McKinney quits his job after some accusations were made implying that the Rauner camp pushed the newspaper to squelch some of their reporting on the candidate. David Axelrod said in an interview, that "No Drama Obama" needs to up the energy and response when dealing with major issues like the expanding "Ebola" outbreak.

This week's Connected to the Community segment focuses on the Healthy Schools Campaign's "Cooking Up Change". 17 teams of CPS culinary students will be competing Oct. 30th to create the best, most nutritious meal for school cafeterias to serve. The contestant's budget is only one dollar. The winner will have the meal featured at all CPS cafeterias, and will be Chicago's representative in a nationwide competition. Rochelle Davis, President and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign explains more about the program and how you can support the cause by becoming a sponsor and attending the event.

Connected To Chicago - 10-26-14 - Host, Bill Cameron is joined by Martin Oberman, Chairman of METRA who updates the recent changes in the commuter rail system, and defends the recent announcement of fare increases for METRA riders. From ageing infrastructure to employee compensation, the everyday operating costs are rising and Chairman Oberman explains it all.

In the Round Table, Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune to discuss: Roaches in the Chicago City Hall and who got the call to remove them. With less than 2 weeks, some polls are calling the race for Governor of Illinois a "dead heat". Are women more likely to support one candidate over the other, and one big factor in the news was the federal judge installing a "monitor" for the Illinois Department of Transportation to check on hiring at IDOT. Sun-Times writer Dave McKinney quits his job after some accusations were made implying that the Rauner camp pushed the newspaper to squelch some of their reporting on the candidate. David Axelrod said in an interview, that "No Drama Obama" needs to up the energy and response when dealing with major issues like the expanding "Ebola" outbreak.

This week's Connected to the Community segment focuses on the Healthy Schools Campaign's "Cooking Up Change". 17 teams of CPS culinary students will be competing Oct. 30th to create the best, most nutritious meal for school cafeterias to serve. The contestant's budget is only one dollar. The winner will have the meal featured at all CPS cafeterias, and will be Chicago's representative in a nationwide competition. Rochelle Davis, President and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign explains more about the program and how you can support the cause by becoming a sponsor and attending the event.

Connected To Chicago - 10-18-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Illinois State Senator Jim Oberweis. He answers what he says to those who think he has no chance in defeating Senator Dick Durbin in the upcoming election. He also comments on the statement he made saying that the people of South Stoney Island are friendlier than those of his home in Aurora. Key questions are how much of the African American vote does he need to defeat Durbin? What is in it for the African American community if he is elected? And if he supports a higher minimum age, his views on the Ebola situation, the increase to a 70 mile per hour speed limit around Chicago, ISIS, healthcare, and veterans affairs. In the roundtable Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Ray Long of the Tribune. They discuss last week's Quinn versus Rauner debate on CBS 2 and the latest that's happening with the spread of the Ebola virus. Then Jennifer Keiper focuses on the City of Chicago's Small Business Center that offers free education workshops for residents who want to start a small business.

Connected To Chicago - 10-18-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Illinois State Senator Jim Oberweis. He answers what he says to those who think he has no chance in defeating Senator Dick Durbin in the upcoming election. He also comments on the statement he made saying that the people of South Stoney Island are friendlier than those of his home in Aurora. Key questions are how much of the African American vote does he need to defeat Durbin? What is in it for the African American community if he is elected? And if he supports a higher minimum age, his views on the Ebola situation, the increase to a 70 mile per hour speed limit around Chicago, ISIS, healthcare, and veterans affairs. In the roundtable Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Ray Long of the Tribune. They discuss last week's Quinn versus Rauner debate on CBS 2 and the latest that's happening with the spread of the Ebola virus. Then Jennifer Keiper focuses on the City of Chicago's Small Business Center that offers free education workshops for residents who want to start a small business.

Connected To Chicago - 10-11-14 - This week's newsmaker is President and CEO of Better Government Association. They discuss the events of Thursday where former Quinn Chief of Staff Jack Lavin was being questioned regarding emails in the mismanagement investigation of a state anti-violence program. They also discuss the latest in the race for governor, what's at steak for state legislation, and the mayoral election. In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune address the Obamas campaigning for Pat Quinn and the newspaper endorsements. Also Metra is looking towards an increase in fares for equipment upgrades. How will Karen Lewis's illness affect future politics? And is Oberweis Durbin's secret weapon? Then Nick Gale covers Safe Sleep Awareness Month with information on preventing the accidental suffocation of infants.

Connected To Chicago - 10-11-14 - This week's newsmaker is President and CEO of Better Government Association. They discuss the events of Thursday where former Quinn Chief of Staff Jack Lavin was being questioned regarding emails in the mismanagement investigation of a state anti-violence program. They also discuss the latest in the race for governor, what's at steak for state legislation, and the mayoral election. In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune address the Obamas campaigning for Pat Quinn and the newspaper endorsements. Also Metra is looking towards an increase in fares for equipment upgrades. How will Karen Lewis's illness affect future politics? And is Oberweis Durbin's secret weapon? Then Nick Gale covers Safe Sleep Awareness Month with information on preventing the accidental suffocation of infants.

Connected To Chicago - 10-04-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti. He discusses his candidacy for mayor and answers questions including why he is running and what has Rahm done wrong? Would he restore the middleman between the citizens and police that Mayor Daley defunded? His support of an elected school board. How being a lawyer affects his campaign. Does he thing Karen Lewis should jump in the race? Also his views on creating new jobs, his proposal of a commuter tax, and speed enforcement cameras. In the roundtable Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Ray Long of the Tribune. Topics include Obama's recent visit to Chicago and his support of Pat Quinn, the latest in the race for governor and the mayoral race. Then John Dempsey covers the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12.

Connected To Chicago - 10-04-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti. He discusses his candidacy for mayor and answers questions including why he is running and what has Rahm done wrong? Would he restore the middleman between the citizens and police that Mayor Daley defunded? His support of an elected school board. How being a lawyer affects his campaign. Does he thing Karen Lewis should jump in the race? Also his views on creating new jobs, his proposal of a commuter tax, and speed enforcement cameras. In the roundtable Bill Cameron is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Ray Long of the Tribune. Topics include Obama's recent visit to Chicago and his support of Pat Quinn, the latest in the race for governor and the mayoral race. Then John Dempsey covers the Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 12.

Connected To Chicago - 09-27-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon. She discusses her candidacy for State Comptroller as well as issues including her family history. Does having the Simon name pull strings? Does she think the State Comptroller and Treasurers' offices should be merged? She also voices her opinions on domestic violence, term limits, redistricting, and should the position of Lieutenant Governor even exist in Illinois. In the roundtable, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Ray Long of the Tribune, and Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times discuss the event that Bill feels was what will be the 2016 senate ballot. Also in light of Friday's incident with air traffic control, should government contract workers be prescreened? Also discussed is the latest in the race for governor and the decimalization of possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Finally Jennifer Keiper reminds us what happened with the tap water in Toledo, Ohio over the summer and asks what if Chicago's tap water is compromised? Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities initiative hosted a water summit at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium this past week where officials talked about protecting and preserving the great lakes.

Connected To Chicago - 09-27-14 -- This week's newsmaker is Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon. She discusses her candidacy for State Comptroller as well as issues including her family history. Does having the Simon name pull strings? Does she think the State Comptroller and Treasurers' offices should be merged? She also voices her opinions on domestic violence, term limits, redistricting, and should the position of Lieutenant Governor even exist in Illinois. In the roundtable, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Ray Long of the Tribune, and Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times discuss the event that Bill feels was what will be the 2016 senate ballot. Also in light of Friday's incident with air traffic control, should government contract workers be prescreened? Also discussed is the latest in the race for governor and the decimalization of possession of small amounts of illegal drugs. Finally Jennifer Keiper reminds us what happened with the tap water in Toledo, Ohio over the summer and asks what if Chicago's tap water is compromised? Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence cities initiative hosted a water summit at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium this past week where officials talked about protecting and preserving the great lakes.