John Williams by wgnradio.com

June 22 The winner of the 2026 Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dogs Tournament is…

After 3 weeks and 45,000 votes, we finally have a the winner of our inaugural Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dogs Tournament, sponsored by The Puckered Pickle Company.

Jon Hansen (in for John Williams) was joined by Chicago’s Very Own Eats Podcast co-host/bracketologist Michael Piff and Luke Newman from The Puckered Pickle Company to make the announcement and call the winner. LISTEN below to find out who won between Rand Red Hots and Cozzi Corner!

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8468310/8468310_2026-06-22-160810.64kmono.mp3

Congrats to Rand Red Hots for winning our first Chicagolands Hot Dog Tournament! And congrats to Cozzi Corner for the great run they made to reach the championship. Last but not least, thank you to everyone that voted and made this one of our biggest WGN Radio food tournaments yet!

See the rest of the round-by-round results on the 2026 Hot Dogs Tournament page. And follow The Puckered Pickle Company on Facebook and Instagram!

For more updates and all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

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June 22 The Ten (American) Commandments: Episode 7

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. On this installment, Clay and John examine the Seventh Amendment.

https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8476588/6-25-26_The_Ten_American_Commandments_Episode_7_Clay_Jenkinson_John_Williams_America_250_Bill_or_Rights_2026-06-25-202328.64kmono.mp3

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June 19 Are host cities benefiting from the World Cup?

Alex Silverman, Staff Writer at Sports Business Journal, joins John Williams to talk about the economic impact of the World Cup on the U.S. host cities.

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June 19 Connell McShane: Trump wants to put Iran in rearview mirror

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about the USMNT World Cup game and the latest on the possible deal between the U.S. and Iran to end the war.

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June 19 John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 6.19.26

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

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June 18 Best of the Midwest: Escape to Shipshewana

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 east into the Hoosier state and visit with Sonya Nash, CEO of Visit Shipshewana! Sonya tells us how to get to Amish country from Chicago, why you should experience the Amish culture, where you can lodge when you visit, the great shopping in Shipshewana, the extremely popular flea market, the scenic 13 mile Pumpkinvine Trail, and why it’s a perfect place to unwind and escape the bustle of the city. Ready to go? Enter here for you chance to win a relaxing Shipshewana getaway!

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June 18 Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dogs Tournament Championship matchup is set!

As WGN Radio’s inaugural Chicagoland’s Best Hot Dogs Tournament reaches its championship round, John Williams talked to Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast co-host/bracketologist Michael Piff about the contenders facing off, Rand Red Hots and Cozzi Corner, and how listeners can vote. The champion will be announced Monday, June 22nd, on The John Williams Show after 10 AM. Vote between now and then right here!

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For more updates and all things Chicago food, subscribe to Chicago’s Very Own Eats on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. All episodes are available on the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast page at WGNRadio.com.

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