The Chicago Teachers Union is backing 10 candidates in the November 5th election for Chicago School Board. Austin Berg, Vice President of Marketing, Illinois Policy Institute, joins Jon Hansen, in for John Williams, to talk about what would happen if the CTU-backed school board candidates are successful and if they take office what does this mean for Illinois taxpayers.

Attorney Rae Kaplan of Kaplan Law Firm joins Jon Hansen, in for John Williams, to discuss the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan under the Biden Administration and who this plan affects. Rae also answer listener’s questions.

Connell McShane, NewsNation Now anchor, joins Jon Hansen, in for John Williams, to talk about the latest news surrounding Hurricane Helene. Connell and Jon then switch gears to discuss the 2024 presidential election and what to expect in the home stretch.

Amanda Carter, Museum Director for LaSalle County Historical Society, joined John Williams to talk about the 54th Annual Burgoo Festival on October 12 & 13 in Utica, IL.  Established in 1969, the Burgoo Festival is one of the longest-running and largest fall festivals in northern Illinois with an annual attendance of 85,000+ people!  Amanda talks about burgoo, a traditional pioneer dish, a kind of stew that gives the festival its name. 

For tickets and info, visit https://www.lasallecountyhistoricalsociety.org/burgoo.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the best diet for great brain health. Dawn gives us her top ten foods for your brain and Dawn also answers all of your diet and nutrition questions.

Coach Chris Holtmann at DePaul University joins John Williams to discuss this men’s basketball season. With nine new players, the coach has high expectations and is ready for the games at Wintrust Arena. He also talks about his experience coaching at Ohio State, Butler University, and the struggle of keeping good players on the team in this era of NIL.

Stephanie Bias, Communications Director for Camp Aramoni, joins John Williams to talk about their Oktoberfest event on Sunday, Oct. 6 with a celebrity bartender you’re familiar with – John Williams! Stephanie shares the local beers they’ll be offering and activities, plus how you can tour the safari tents, and special offers that day for making reservations.

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 of the Illinois Policy Institute, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! This week the Rascals break down the debate between JD Vance and Tim Waltz. What do the Rascals think were the major takeaways? Plus, what are the most annoying intersections in Chicago?

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about having self-discipline with your money. She also answers listeners’ questions about leaving money for children, IRAs, and more!