Brendan Shiller and Ben talk the Chicago and national news of the week. Including…Trump takes control of Congress, or at least the Republican majority. The new police contract. A few hopeful thoughts about immigration. And “rats” in Chicago. Like William O’Neal. Brendan is a lawyer, political strategist and poker player.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris breaks down the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. And then a word or two about the state of the Republican Party in congress.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain talks Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ivanka Trump, and Rashida Tlaib. And more. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S.L. Wisenberg—aka, Sandi Wisenberg— tells her life in short stories and essays. From Texas to Evanston to Chicago and lots of places in between. She talks about those journeys—what she calls her “angsty way of moving through the world”. Her latest collection is The Wandering Womb: Essays in Search of Home.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bulls lose their opener. Ben loses his mind. Mick Dumke explains what it takes to get the city’s budget office to reveal what should already be public information. In short, you have to file many FOIA requests to learn aldermanic salaries. Learn about the in-another-location excuse for concealing those salaries. Very novel, city. A few words about a judge’s ruling in a case pitting a rich guy against poor people. Big surprise—the rich guy won. And a word or two about the Bulls. Mick is a reporter for Block Club.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anti-immigrant people in Brighton Park attack Alderwoman Julia Ramirez. Ben riffs. Nader Issa returns to talk all things Chicago Public Schools. Including…the impact of immigrants on enrollment. Why are school officials downplaying that impact? Also, a word or two about vouchers. And then a word or two about sports. Nader covers CPS for the Chicago Sun-Times.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Under pressure from the mainstream, Mayor Johnson backs off from his trip to the southern border. Ben riffs. Maria Degillo explains how her life story illustrates the need for a new approach to dealing with hurt, anger and fear in our high schools. Maria is the Youth Director at Voices of Youth in Chicago Education.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain explores the state of journalism. Why newspapers are looking to Taylor Swift coverage to boost circulation. The mindless racism of Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone. Taylor Swift reporters are instructed they can’t be a fan. But Jann Wenner made millions sucking up to rock stars. And should a comedian be required to tell the truth in his search for the Truth? Yes, we ‘re talking about Hasan Minhaj. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sun-Times and WBEZ reveal a deputy sheriff in Stephenson County had been an Oath Keeper. Concerned citizens want to know the implications. Karl Bronn is a member of the local NAACP. Jody Coss is the chair of the Stephenson County Democratic Party. And Pat Norman is president of the Freeport branch of the NAACP.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson talks about visiting the border. Ben riffs. Activist, casting director, writer, director Pemon Rami talks Chicago history, Black activism, Sam Greenlee, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Cooley High and all kinds of other things. Pemon is the author of newly published memoirs: When Black Was Golden.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.