John Williams

Kimberly Bares, CEO, Magnificent Mile Association, tells John Williams to tell us everything we need to know about this year’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival! Kimberly also talks about the economic impact and what it means for the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

Judy Socha, who has organized the Addison blood bank for over 50 years, joins John Williams to talk about her personal connection to blood drives, the importance of people donating blood, why she continues her mission to help bring in blood, the wonderful people that she has met on her journey, the amount of blood they have collected in Addison, and why she loves to share how much good donating blood can do.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some holiday vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head north and visit with the always delightful Stephanie Klett, President and CEO, Visit Lake Geneva! Stephanie tells John about all the great holiday events you can do in Lake Geneva for the holiday season! You won’t want to miss the magical journey of the Santa Cruise, Grand Geneva Resort’s Christmas in the Country, the Lake Geneva Electric Christmas Parade, and the World’s Tallest Glass Tree at Yerkes Observatory. And don’t forget about all the fabulous shopping, too!

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the three things she’s going to add to her Thanksgiving routine, how to add color to your Thanksgiving meal, the most important tip to enjoy a healthy Thanksgiving, and how to R.E.S.E.T. your health the next day and beyond!

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

John Williams talks with Jeff Nydegger of JeffBuysYourHouse.com and Chris Kasper, both veterans of the U.S. Army. The two became friends while serving in the 864th Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington. In 2003, while attached to the 101st Airborne, the two were among the first to cross the border into Iraq. They both also served in Afghanistan. Jeff was honorably discharged in August 2006. Chris retired after over 20 years of decorated service. The two attended Military Appreciation Night at the Blackhawks game and join John to talk about their service, friendship, civilian life, and enduring mission.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about Illinois launching Mobile ID for iPhones. Are the Rascals on board with the new technology feature? Next, Mayor Johnson’s budget proposal failed to advance through the City Council’s Finance Committee with a key holdup being Johnson’s plan for a corporate head tax. Where are the Rascals on the head tax plan? Also, former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns. The Rascals debate the merits of the idea. Another local story making news this week: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas teasing a mayoral run. Do the Rascals think she’s a legitimate candidate? Next, the Rascals turn their attention to the latest news on the Epstein files. What are the major takeaways from the imminent release of the Epstein files? And will this be a turning point for the GOP? Also this week, President Trump scolded a reporter by telling her, ‘Quiet, piggy,’ and admonished a reporter for asking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And finally, the Rascals submit their choices for 2025’s Word of the Year.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joins John Williams to talk about Illinois implementing Mobile IDs. Secretary Giannoulias explains how the digital technology works, why this technology is both convenient and safe, where you can use your digital ID right now, when the mobile ID will come to Android phones, and if passports will be coming to your digital wallet in the future.

Tameka Patterson, MSW, LSW Divisional Pathway of Hope Project Manager, The Salvation Army, North and Central Illinois Division, joins John Williams to talk about the work she does at the Salvation Army, what they do to help families in tough circumstances, how many people they typically serve in a day, how each family they help is unique in their needs, and why supporting the Salvation Army is crucial for this program to thrive.

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!

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.