John Williams

2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins joins John Williams to talk about Chicago’s contract with ShotSpotter, the gunshot detection technology, ending at the end of the month. Alderman Hopkins explains what ShotSpotter does, why he is a proponent of the technology, what he says to critics of the technology, and how having the technology in Chicago has saved lives.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]!

Dr. Janice Jackson, CEO, Hope Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about the mission and work of Hope Chicago and how Hope Chicago is trying to change the way higher education operates. Also joining Dr. Jackson in-studio are Hope Scholars Ajani Cunningham, who is attending Loyola University, and Anabel Limón-Torres, who is a student at UIC. Ajani and Anabel talk about what led them to Hope Chicago, what they are studying in college, the obstacles they have overcome to attend school, and why they believe in the importance of voting.

Beloved WGN’er Joe Brand joins John Williams (and Lisa Dent and Steve Bertrand and Kevin Powell and Mary Van De Velde) to talk about leaving the station he called home for 10 years to become the radio play-by-play voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network. How well does Joe know his new city? Go be great, Joe!

Phil Martinez, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention of Illinois Board Member President, joins John Williams to talk about his personal connection to AFSP, what can cause someone to take their own life, the warning signs to look for if you are concerned that a person may try to take their life, what to say to someone if you are worried about them, and the upcoming Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Walk.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we explore the Mississippi with Carrie Stier, Co-Owner, Riverboat Twilight! Carrie tells John where they dock the boat, the various cruises that are offered, the kind of boat you’ll be cruising on, where you cruise on the Mississippi River, the food and beverages that are offered, where you can stay during the cruise, and how you can book a trip in September and October.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about healthy cereals to eat, tips to make your cereal healthier, the importance of drinking enough water, how to know if you are adequately hydrated, the most popular recipes on her website right now, and the top 6 plant proteins.

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, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week, the Rascals talk about a federal judge in Rockford ruling that Illinois’ concealed carry law can’t prohibit holders from having guns on public transportation. What do the Rascals think of this decision? CPS and CTU are continuing negotiations over a new contract. Austin gets us up to speed on the latest news. Meanwhile, the city of Chicago is facing nearly a billion dollar deficit in 2025. Where is all the money going to come from? CTU president Stacy Davis Gates recently accused Austin of stalking and the Rascals come to Austin’s defense. A WBEZ analysis found more than 30 websites of Local Government Information Services exposed the home addresses for more than 6 million Illinois voters including dozens of state and federal judges. Does the public have a right to know where voters live? And finally, we are less than a week away from the first debate between VP Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. The Rascals break down the latest polls.

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 why now is the perfect window to fix your turf.