John Williams hosts the annual Salvation Army Radiothon. Our Virtual Red Kettle was stuffed thanks to our amazing WGN listeners and all of our generous sponsors. Special thanks to the one and only David Hochberg, The Salvation Army’s Major Caleb Senn, good ol’ #97 Chris Zorich, the always delightful Corey McPherrin, formerly from your TV, Tom Dominguez from ComEd, Eric Klix from Enterprise Mobility, Beth Witczak of CIBC, Peter Kim and JJ Pook (and the Salvation Army brass ensemble), Matthew Coatar, Captain AJ Zimmerman, Steve Hill and Brian Duewel of the Salvation Army, Bob Coyne and Kristina Quinn of WGN Radio (and former WGN newsman Steve Bertrand!), the Duchossois Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Bully & Andrews, Mary Frances Trucco from Jewel-Osco, Chante Bogard from the Sutton Auto Team, and all of the generous WGN listeners!

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! Every donation counts!

• John Williams, Major Caleb Senn, David Hochberg and Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• David Hochberg (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• David Hochberg has his notes ready. (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Chris Zorich speaking with David Hochberg and Major Caleb Senn (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• David Hochberg, Major Caleb Senn and Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Chris Zorich and Major Caleb Senn (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• David Hochberg, Major Caleb Senn and Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Major Caleb Senn and Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• David Hochberg, Major Caleb Senn and Chris Zorich (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Matthew Coatar with the Salvation Army (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Matthew Coatar with the Salvation Army (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army bell (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Captain AJ Zimmerman (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Captain AJ Zimmerman (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Captain AJ Zimmerman (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Corey McPherrin (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• John Williams with Captain AJ Zimmerman (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)
• Salvation Army Brass Ensemble (Sam Arias / Salvation Army)

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

Adam Petraglia, Executive Director and Founder, Bricks of Hope, joins John Williams to talk about the incredible story that led him to start Bricks of Hope, the organization’s mission to deliver LEGO toys to sick children, what is so special about LEGO toys, how the community is aligned with their mission, his favorite LEGO kit, and the hope of expansion so they can reach more kids.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about his favorite holiday song, Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino returning to Chicago, President Trump’s Chief of Staff doing an interview with Vanity Fair, and Governor Pritzker signing the ‘Medical Aid in Dying’ bill into law.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the wonderful staff at their hospital and the great care they provide the community, the amount of flu that is on its way to Illinois, what you can do to try and avoid the flu, and why you should get your flu vaccine now.

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 some year-end tips and things to be aware of before 2026, a reminder about your RMD, the economic data being released later this week, the Supreme Court decision on President Trump’s tariffs, what he expects of the market the rest of the year, and to offer his market outlook for 2026.

The great film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the life and legacy of the great Rob Reiner, the award-winning Hollywood actor and director, who along with his wife, Michele, were found stabbed to death in their home on Sunday.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou talks about dripping water to avoid your pipes freezing, and the best setting for your thermostat during the winter. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions.

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

Cate Plys, long-time Chicago journalist, Mincing Rascals panelist, and publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972 on Substack, joins John Williams to talk about how Chicago can make the city’s trash fee more equitable.