John Williams

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, John chats with Claire Slattery, Executive Director, Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce! Claire tells John about the businesses represented by the LZ Area Chamber of Commerce, what the economy is like in that area, how business is booming in Long Grove, how each area they represent is unique, what they have planned for the holidays, and the outlook for 2026.

Actor and television host, the one and only Mario Lopez, joins John Williams! Mario talks about his experience making a holiday movie in Long Grove, how the community of Long Grove embraced his family, what the weather was like when they filmed the movie in April, his new healthy shake venture called Fresh Monkee, if he knew how much ‘Saved by the Bell’ would impact his life, how he juggles so many jobs, and to share his thoughts on the death of beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about what’s on her Christmas wish list, her favorite seasonal cookie recipe, the Superfood Hot Chocolate, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and the The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! This week the Rascals begin the podcast talking about Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino returning to the Chicago area. The Rascals unpack the latest immigration enforcement efforts. Next, the Rascals discuss President Trump’s ‘disgusting’ response to the death of Rob Reiner. Do the Rascals think some of Trump’s supporters will deflect because of the reaction to Reiner’s death? Also, the Trump administration unveiled new plaques that attack Joe Biden and Barack Obama and other political foes. President Trump will address the nation tonight to tout his achievements and his plan for 2026. Eric believes the major television networks shouldn’t run the speech tonight. Switching back to local news, the Rascals break down the latest on the budget battle between Mayor Johnson and the Chicago City Council. Last week Governor Pritzker signed the ‘Medical Aid in Dying Bill’ into law. Where were the Rascals on this bill? Vanity Fair did an extensive interview with President Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles where she was critical of members of the administration. Will anything come from this eye-opening interview? Finally, it’s time for red light, yellow light, green light. What are the Rascals recommending (or not recommending) this week?

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.