John Williams

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys. Woah, a lot of news already this week! The Rascals kick things off discussing the most important story of the week: The controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show! Next, the Rascals break down the Mike Madigan verdict. What were the major takeaways from the trial and today’s verdict. Also this week, President Trump pardoned disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. What do the Rascals think of the pardon? The Chicago City Council delayed voting on the $1.25 million settlement that was to be given to Dexter Reed’s family, who was shot by police in March of 2024. Also this week, the DuPage County Board voted to remove former US Rep. Henry Hyde’s name from a courthouse. Do the Rascals believe Hyde’s name should have been removed? Speaking of name changes, a reporter from the AP was banned from the White House because AP has not adopted Gulf of America. And what did the Rascals make of the video that JB Pritzker released last week announcing Lake Illinois.

Austin Berg, Vice President of Marketing, Illinois Policy Institute, joins John Williams to talk about the verdict in the trial of former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. Criminal defense attorney Michael Leonard also joins John to talk about the verdict. What were the big takeaways from the verdict?

U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL5) joins John Williams to talk about President Trump’s decision to pardon former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, his thoughts on the first few weeks of the Trump administration, the influence Elon Musk is having on government, and his recent op-ed in the Tribune about the future of Gaza.

Leonard Goodman, Chicago criminal defense lawyer who represented Rod Blagojevich, joins John Williams to talk about his op-ed in the Tribune and his belief that the former governor deserved to be pardoned by President Trump.

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

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John to talk about the markets continuing to hold steady, the strength of the market right now, the economic uncertainty that still exists, the effort to lift state SALT limits, an area in the market that looks good to him right now, and what you need to know as we head into tax season.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the intense flu period we are in right now and what we need to know to protect ourselves. Dr. Kopin also answers your medical questions.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about Governor JB Pritzker’s future political plans, the first three weeks of the Trump administration, if he believes we should get rid of the penny, and the Chicago City Council debating a $1.25 million settlement for Dexter Reed, who was fatally shot by police in March of 2024.

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