John Williams

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou says now that we are in the thick of summer, it’s time to start putting some food down.

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

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

Dustin Green, Weber‘s Head Grill Master and Director of the Weber Grill Academy and BBQ Experience, joins John Williams to offer some tips for your 4th of July barbecue. Dustin says to make sure you have enough fuel, supplies, and your grill is in the best condition…’a clean grill is a happy grill.’ Also, thanks to Weber for donating some new grills to City Kids Camp!

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take a trip to the Hoosier state and visit with Jordan Smith, Leisure Marketing Manager at Visit Bloomington! Jordan tells John about how Bloomington is much more than a college town, the numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation including Hoosier National Forest and the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower, the best places to stay when you visit, why Bloomington is considered Indiana’s ‘foodie destination,’ the four craft breweries and wineries in the area, the several great places to enjoy arts and culture, and the best festivals happening in Bloomington this summer (and fall)!

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about tiny swaps you can make to upgrade your 4th of July cookout. Dawn also recommends some summer salads and answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger, and member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John Williams and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of June 2026! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]

Historian Clay Jenkinson and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals kick off the podcast by discussing and dissecting the Supreme Court decisions on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, mail-in ballots, and presidential power. Next, the Rascals talk about Laura Washington’s piece in the Tribune about Chicago mayoral candidates who are also running for other political offices. Should Chicago mayoral candidates be allowed to run for two offices at the same time? Moving back to the Supreme Court, the justices announced yesterday that they will consider a challenge to Cook County’s assault weapons ban. A new Illinois law that goes into effect in 2028 will require speeders to install limiters in their vehicles. Do the Rascals believe this is a good idea? And finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light! What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

Jeff Nydegger the Co-Founder & CEO at Jeff Buys Your House, the leading house-buying company in Chicagoland, joins John Williams to talk about how an appointment with the company typically works and the areas they serve, the importance of being an integrity brand, and how 20 years of experience informs what they do. Jeff also talks about his military service and how his service helps him in business today. Jeff will buy your home, no matter the condition. Call or text 630-552-6603 for more information or visit jeffbuysyourhouse.com

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with 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 reminds you to not water your lawn at night during the hot, humid weather.