Mayor Mamdani has a unique strategy for dealing with the legacy media—he bypasses them. Ben riffs. Hilario Dominguez makes his debut, explaining why he’s running for school board president and his position on everything from school closings to school lunches to TIFs and dealing with powerful mayors. Hilario is a former special ed teacher, CTU political director and proud graduate of Whitney Young High School.  

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Untold billions in dark money is funding MAGA efforts to hold on to the Senate. Ben riffs. Jessica Biggs makes her debut. Talking about her candidacy for school board president. How she was punished by Mayor Rahm’s school flunkies for daring to speak out for clean schools. And the need to be independent of the mayor—even an all powerful one like Daley or Rahm—on TIFs. Also, a few words about charters, magnets and neighborhood schools. Jessica is currently on the Chicago school board.

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Caleb & Caleb & PCA, it’s magic time in Chicago sports. Unrivaled since, dare I say, 1984. Ben riffs. Miles Porter takes the deep dive on the Cubs and Sox as they head into the final days of the regular season. The good news is they’re doing better than anyone expected. The bad news is—well, let’s not think about the bad news. Miles co-hosts the baseball podcast, Blue Line Radio.

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One week before Mayor Johnson announced he’s running, Ben’s source tells him he’s running. Yes, Ben has a source. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims explains all. Including…why so many white people just can’t bring themselves to vote for Mayor Johnson. And what Abdul El-Sayad needs to do to win the Black vote. And what is the Democratic Establishment. And why do fools fall in love. Ok, maybe he has no answer for that. Marc hosts the podcast Just A Few Questions.  

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Ben and Dr D have all the news, including…Charles Barkley tells the truth about Democrats. Capitalists love socialism. JB’s epic bus ride. And Mayor Johnson announces he’ll make an announcement—next week.

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When it comes to Mayor Johnson, falling crime doesn’t appear to matter to white liberals. Ben riffs. Monroe adds his two cents. From there they talk Hoosier Republicans and Hammond Bears and who’s to blame for no power in Gary. Also, the great debate on Jewish and Black MAGA. Finally, Monroe’s fearless predictions on Democratic victories in Florida, Texas and Kansas. Yes, Kansas. Talk about being out on a shaky limb.

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Vance throws a hissy fit over Abdul El-Sayed. Ben riffs. Dr Thaer Ahmad returns to talk about, among other things, the documentary, American Doctor. It tells the story of three courageous U. S. doctors who go to Gaza to treat the wounded. One is Thaer—now the Israelis won’t let him return. The conversation turns to politics. So much has changed in American attitudes toward Israel and Palestine in the last three years. And, sadly, so much is the same for the Palestinians. Thaer is an emergency room doctor in the Chicago area. His views are his own.

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At age 70, having made more money than he can even count, Bill Gates decides to take a stand against unbridled capitalism. Ben riffs. Maggie Wunderly explains what Democrats have to do to win in purplish suburban districts. Also, vote blue no matter who should be a two-way street. Maggie is a co-founder of Illinois Progressives, who are holding a fundraiser on September 13 in Aurora.

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Another day, another scandal in Trump land. Ben riffs. David Faris catches us up on the latest political news. Including a riff or two on “reactionary Centrists” in the Democratic Party. Who are convinced that the only way to win back Congress is to abandon all principles. Also, a few words on polls and the senate elections. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for The Nation. His views are his own.  

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NBC 5 asks Mayor Brandon Johnson if he plans to run for re-election. His response was…interesting. Plus! Ben and Dr D talk about the 2026 Illinois State Fair. And Alexis G’s movie double. And JB’s latest commercial. And more…

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