Dr. Dinee Simpson, Transplant Surgeon and Chief Health Equity Executive, and Ann Hall, Vice President of Administration, Northwestern Medicine, join John Williams to talk about the launch of the Kathy Schreiber Community Health Institute, the importance of community health at Northwestern Medicine, why moving barriers to care matters, what the term ‘community health’ means and why it’s an important part of caring for patients, and what Northwestern does to connect with community organizations to make an impact.

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob talks about the large amount of rainfall we had and why you should make sure your trees are healthy if you noticed branches on the ground after the storms.

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

Dr. Michael Bauer, Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, talks to John Williams about the importance of donating blood due to a shortage of Type O blood, how some users of weight loss drugs lose their sense of taste, the other health benefits of weight loss drugs, and what we should know about West Nile Virus.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about President Trump intervening in the World Cup, a new candidate announcing a run for Chicago mayor, another scandal involving Graham Platner, and why he’s not a fan of the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier.

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou says now that we are in the thick of summer, it’s time to start putting some food down.

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

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

Dustin Green, Weber‘s Head Grill Master and Director of the Weber Grill Academy and BBQ Experience, joins John Williams to offer some tips for your 4th of July barbecue. Dustin says to make sure you have enough fuel, supplies, and your grill is in the best condition…’a clean grill is a happy grill.’ Also, thanks to Weber for donating some new grills to City Kids Camp!

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 to the Hoosier state and visit with Jordan Smith, Leisure Marketing Manager at Visit Bloomington! Jordan tells John about how Bloomington is much more than a college town, the numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation including Hoosier National Forest and the Hickory Ridge Fire Tower, the best places to stay when you visit, why Bloomington is considered Indiana’s ‘foodie destination,’ the four craft breweries and wineries in the area, the several great places to enjoy arts and culture, and the best festivals happening in Bloomington this summer (and fall)!