Connected to Chicago with Bill Cameron

Bill Cameron plays his audio collection from his years covering Mayor Richard J. Daley. December 20th marked 41 years since the former mayor's death.

John Dempsey reviews the Winter Weather & Snow removal procedures that will be used by the city of Chicago this winter. Salt and plows are not the only way the city of Chicago handles a winter storm. City officials also highlighted the use of cameras, road sensors, and human observations in determining the city’s reaction to a winter storm.

Bill Cameron sits down with Democrat Jesse Ruiz, who is running for Illinois Attorney General. They discuss who Jesse Ruiz is, and why he is running for Attorney General. Ruiz shares his thoughts on the current CPS issues, specifically with Forrest Claypool, they also discuss Ruiz's connection with Chicago Public Schools. Ruiz talks about the Environmental Protection Agency, and about helping keep local communities safer.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include sexual harassment in Congress, the current Chicago Public Schools issues, specifically Forrest Claypool, Trumps recent decisions and announcements regarding Israel, and Jerusalem, as well as Obama's recent speech in Chicago.

This week's Community Spotlight segment with Nick Gale is about the state's creation of the 24/7 opioid hotline. The helpline will provide a confidential outlet for individuals experiencing opioid use disorders, their families and anyone affected by the disease 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Helpline specialists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help connect callers with treatment and recovery-support services. Gov. Bruce Rauner unveiled the Opioid Action Plan and signed an Executive Order creating the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task Force this year. The task force was charged with building strategies that would help reduce projected opioid overdose-related deaths by one-third within the next three years. IDPH data shows opioid overdoses killed 1,946 people in Illinois in 2016 — more than one and a half times the number of homicides and nearly twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents. In addition, data from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) estimates that approximately 248,000 Illinois residents need, but do not receive, treatment for illicit drug use.

To reach the helpline, individuals can call 1-833-2FINDHELP

Featured are Bruce Rauner and IDPH Director Dr. Niran Shah

Bill Cameron Sits down with Fritz Kaegi, the Democratic challenger to Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios. They discuss who Fritz is and why he is challenging Berrios. They also discuss property taxes, spending, ethics, and improper assessments of property. Kaegi also shares his thoughts on Donald Trump, as well as the new tax bill. They also talk about why Berrios declined to join Kaegi and Bill for an interview this week.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include Michael Flynn, and Donald Trump, the GOP tax plan, Luis Gutierrez, and Bruce Rauner.

This week's Community Spotlight segment with John Dempsey focuses on the proposal for a high speed train between downtown and O'Hare.

Connected to Chicago (11-26-2017)

Bill Cameron talks to Governor Bruce Rauner's GOP primary challenger, State Representative Jeanne Ives. Bill gets details on Rep. Ives stand on topics including state budget/finances, sexual harassment in the Illinois Statehouse, as well as her support of President Trump, and how she can reform Illinois in ways Governor Rauner has been unable to do.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include: CTA fare hikes, 2018 Budgets for Cook County and the City of Chicago make the headlines. With just a few days to go, can Roy Moore overcome the numerous sexual harassment allegations to win the special election for Alabama's replacement Senator.

In this week's Community Spotlight, Jennifer Keiper talks to Ford Ergonomic Engineer Marty Smets about a new ergonomic vest designed to prevent injuries to workers on auto assembly lines.

Ford plans to expand its use to factories across the United States, including their plant on Chicago's South Side.

Bill Cameron reflects on the former mayor's career 30 years after his passing.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include Harold Washington, Al Franken and Roy Moore, sexual harassment, health care, and tax reform.

Jennifer Keiper hosts this week's Community Spotlight segment. New legislation aims to make sure dads play an active role in their children's lives after divorce. The shared parenting bill requires courts to presume that a child is best off spending equal time with both parents when deciding custody. It is sponsored by Rep. La Shawn Ford of Chicago.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is urging those who sent money to a scammer, through Western Union, to file a claim for a refund. This is part of a nationwide settlement with Western Union which, Madigan says, knew people were being connect and did not do enough to protect them.

Also, as firearm deer hunting season kicks in, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is urging hunters to make safety a priority. Tips are offered and the 2nd half of firearm deer hunting season starts on November 30th.

Bill Cameron sits down with Comptroller Susanna Mendoza, they discuss Governor Rauner, as well as the Illinois economy and budget. Mendoza shares her thoughts on the recent sexual harassment news. They also discuss the current gubernatorial race.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include sexual harassment, the Trump/Russia investigations, the new tax bill, and the current gubernatorial race.

In this week's Community Spotlight, Nick Gale focuses on the Cooking Up Change program and competition which takes place on November 16. Students from across the Chicago Public Schools compete to create lunches that meet strict USDA guidelines and cost around $1 per meal. Schools across the nation are also holding their own competitions and the Chicago winners will face them at a national competition this summer in Washington. After the November 16 competition, winners will be announced at a gala later in the evening which raises money for the non-profit program.

Bill Cameron sits down with State Rep Peter Breen and Personal PAC chief Terry Cosgrove. They discuss pro-choice/pro-life issues in Illinois. The debate gets heated as both Terry, and Peter make their cases. They also discuss Governor Rauner, and their thoughts on Donald Trump. Terry, Peter, and Bill also discuss sexual harassment.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include George Papadopoulos, the Gubernatorial race, as well as taxes, and the shut down of DNAINFO.COM.

This week's community spotlight segment, with John Dempsey is on Mayor Emanuel's Domestic Violence initiative to help City of Chicago employees who are victims of domestic violence.

Bill Cameron sits down with Attorney General candidate Sharon Fairley. Topics include who Sharon Fairley is, and what her career has been so far. They discuss the Laquan McDonald, shooting case, as well as the Chicago Police Department and police misconduct. They also discuss Mayor Emanuel, and police reform, as well as Fairley's thoughts on Mike Madigan, Donald Trump, and Joe Ferguson.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include sexual harrasment in the workplace, Bruce Rauner and Mike Madigan, gun laws, specifically bump stocks, and the possibility of Amazon openeing a second headquarters in Chicago.

This week's community spotlight segment with Nick Gale is about the new food business incubator that opened up on the West Side. Dubbed "The Hatchery," the goal is to support food and beverage entrepreneurs by providing them with tools and resources. The 67,000 square foot, $34 million facility is expected to create an estimated 150 jobs in the first year. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Garfield Park Community Council Member Angela Taylor give their thoughts.

Connected to Chicago (10-01-2017) - John Dempsey in for Bill Cameron. Guest Newsmaker - Illinois State Senator Kwame Raoul. John Dempsey talks to the Senator who is running for the office of Attorney General in 2018.

In this week's round table discussion,Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times get to tell the truth about local and national politics. Reaction to President Trump’s condolence call to the widow of a slain soldier. Illinois Congressman, Peter Roskam has been quiet about making any public comment about President Trump, and could be trying to distance himself from Trump in anticipation of the 2018 elections. Earlier this week Chicago Mayor, Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor, Bruce Rauner announced the creation of the 'South Loop Tech Hub' a facility along the Chicago River which might be a prospective home to Amazon.com. move into this new facility?? Is Chicago even in the running for this Amazon facility?

Jennifer Keiper talks to Better Business Bureau's CEO Steve Bernas about the BBB’s new survey on cyber crime that finds over 90% of all business hacks begin with a phishing e-mail that often contain ransomware. Typically, cyber crime losses are the losses of the business owners. When the big guys, like Equifax, can't protect themselves, how can small business do it? Bernas also talks about the BBB's cyber-panels held in the Chicago area.

Bill Cameron Sits down with Senator Dick Durbin. They discuss Obamacare and Trumpcare. They also discuss DACA and the Dreamers. Durbin talks about Trump's tweets and his interactions with the President. They discuss Durbin's thoughts on Trump thus far, as well as talking about Governor Bruce Rauner.

In this week's round table segment, Bill Cameron is joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune, Greg Hinz of Crain's, and Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times. Topics include Senator Dick Durbin, and Trump's action on Iran. The round table also discusses Governor Rauner, President Trump, and the Pop-Tax being repealed.

John Dempsey's Community Spotlight piece for this week focuses on University of Chicago economist Richard Thaler winning the Nobel Prize.