John Williams

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals star the show talking about President Trump’s tax and policy bill. The Rascals break down the latest. Do the Rascals believe this bill will pass? And do the Rascals think this bill will backfire on Republicans who are voting yes? Next, the Rascals talk about Paramount agreeing to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump that had alleged an interview that aired on “60 Minutes” with Kamala Harris, was edited to favor Harris. Eric says he will now refuse to watch CBS. Last week, the Supreme Court sided with President Trump in a birthright citizenship case. Austin explains why this is a really bad ruling. The city of Chicago is increasing the minimum wage for tipped workers. Do the Rascals like the One Fair Wage ordinance in general? And will this impact how you tip your server? Block Club is reporting that a few local politicians would like ICE agents to not be allowed to wear masks. Do the Rascals like this idea? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about why he’s voting no on President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ what will likely happen to Medicaid if this bill passes, the cuts to education, housing, SNAP in the bill, and if there is anything in the bill that he likes.

U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL 16) joins John Williams to talk about why he’s supporting President Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ what exactly is in the bill regarding Medicaid cuts, and solar energy, how tax cuts in the bill will help American families, if he believes the bill favors wealthy Americans, and the pieces of the bill that will help working families. Rep. LaHood also addresses the rumors that he may run for Illinois governor.

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob explains how you can prevent disease in your grass with the hot, humid weather coming in.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about Trump’s tax bill and the increase in the SALT cap, where mortgage interest rates are right now, the relationship between the Fed policy and mortgage rates, and to answer all of your mortgage and real estate questions.

David hosts “Home Sweet Home Chicago” on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm on WGN Radio. You can call him at 855-56-David, or check out the Team Hochberg website.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to [email protected].

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about some insurance companies making changes to weight loss drug coverage, a small study showing weight loss drugs helping with migraines, the latest on Moderna’s new flu shot, and what we know about vaccine guidance for the fall.

Local farmer John Andermann of the Will County Farm Bureau joins John Williams to talk about how the crops are looking, the need for more rain on some farms, the flooding that happened during the spring in southern Illinois, the prices trending down, and how tariffs have impacted farms this year.

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of June 2025! Did John like any of Marge’s choices? What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]

Ashleigh Fields, Breaking News Reporter, The Hill, joins John Williams to tell us everything we need to know about the status of President Trump’s tax bill.