The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about Illinois launching Mobile ID for iPhones. Are the Rascals on board with the new technology feature? Next, Mayor Johnson’s budget proposal failed to advance through the City Council’s Finance Committee with a key holdup being Johnson’s plan for a corporate head tax. Where are the Rascals on the head tax plan? Also, former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns. The Rascals debate the merits of the idea. Another local story making news this week: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas teasing a mayoral run. Do the Rascals think she’s a legitimate candidate? Next, the Rascals turn their attention to the latest news on the Epstein files. What are the major takeaways from the imminent release of the Epstein files? And will this be a turning point for the GOP? Also this week, President Trump scolded a reporter by telling her, ‘Quiet, piggy,’ and admonished a reporter for asking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And finally, the Rascals submit their choices for 2025’s Word of the Year.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joins John Williams to talk about Illinois implementing Mobile IDs. Secretary Giannoulias explains how the digital technology works, why this technology is both convenient and safe, where you can use your digital ID right now, when the mobile ID will come to Android phones, and if passports will be coming to your digital wallet in the future.

Tameka Patterson, MSW, LSW Divisional Pathway of Hope Project Manager, The Salvation Army, North and Central Illinois Division, joins John Williams to talk about the work she does at the Salvation Army, what they do to help families in tough circumstances, how many people they typically serve in a day, how each family they help is unique in their needs, and why supporting the Salvation Army is crucial for this program to thrive.

Your donations to The Salvation Army will help keep families in their homes, put food on their tables, and brighten the holidays for children. And all gifts stay local to the Chicagoland area. Last year, The Salvation Army provided nearly 1 million meals, 400,000 cases of emergency assistance, and over 160,000 bags of groceries to neighbors in need. Click here to donate to John’s kettle!

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.

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

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about it being cold and flu season and the importance of getting your flu vaccine. Dr. Kopin also talks about a new study that showed daily music listening being linked to a big drop in dementia risk, the amount of people who currently are on weight-loss drugs, and why some people lose hair after being on GLP-1’s.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about his choice for ‘Word of the Year,’ Border Patrol leaving the Chicago area, and the Chicago City Council Finance Committee rejecting Brandon Johnson’s head tax proposal.

Jen Jolly, tech reporter and founder of Techish.com, joins John Williams to talk about some of the top tech trends for 2025 and the best gadgets for the holiday season.

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. This week, Lou offers tips on how to prep your house if you are hosting Thanksgiving. Lou also answers your home improvement questions about window cleaning, outside hoses, and fruit flies.

Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.