Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio), vice chair of the Texas Black Caucus, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about why she and other Texas legislators chose to leave the state to combat the Texas GOP effort to redraw five congressional districts in favor of Republicans.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou talks about indoor air quality, the benefits of using air purifiers, and why you should changer your air filters every month. Lou, as always, answers your home improvement questions.

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

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins guest host Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of July 2025! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to [email protected]

Kellie Meyer, Washington Correspondent, NewsNation, joins John Williams to talk about to break down the latest on President Trump’s trade deals and tariff deadlines.

Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins John Williams to talk about loan caps for medical students and graduate students, why you will see an explosion in the private loan industry, and some recent good news about income based repayment plans. Rae also answers all of your student loan questions.

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

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a new proposal from the Chicago Park District that would move a portion of DuSable Lake Shore Drive underground. What is the likelihood this ever happens?

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about why your diet is likely to be in low in nutrients (fiber, vitamin D, calcium, potassium, magnesium, omega 3) and what you can do to eat more. Dawn also answers all of your food an nutrition questions.

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 take a trip north to beautiful Lake Delton and visit with Bob Prosser, owner of Ishnala Supper Club! Bob talks about the wonderful scenery around Ishnala, the changes made to the menu, the wonderful service you will receive, the bar space they have added over the years, and how the season has been going for them this year.

The great actor, author, woodworker and citizen Nick Offerman joins John Williams to talk about his history in the town of Minooka, all the activities he took part in while in high school, the movie and TV projects he’s most known for, getting his big break on ‘Parks and Recreation,’ the similarities between his personality and his Ron Swanson character, how often he gets back to Minooka, and the deep roots his family has in Minooka.