The Chicago Way

By WGN Plus

News & Politics

What's The Chicago Way about?

Mild mannered Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass and WGN Radio's Jeff Carlin explore the week in news, politics and other thngs done the Chicago Way in this WGN Plus podcast from WGN Radio in Chicago.

4.8

875 ratings

Download our free app to listen on your phone

LAST EPISODE

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ki...

11.28.2023

Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/28/23): This week, John Kass & Jeff are joined by Rafael Mangual, the Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety Initiative at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of ...

The Chicago Way episodes:

11.28.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Kindness is for holiday parties, not revolving-door criminal courts Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/28/23): This week, John Kass & Jeff are joined by Rafael Mangual, the Nick Ohnell Fellow and head of research for the Policing and Public Safety Initiative at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of ...
11.15.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: There’s no glamour in a poorly run city Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/15/23): This week we’re behind the scenes as John Kass & Jeff Carlin are on the road this week for a photoshoot. Kasso is launching some merch soon for JohnKassNews.com and former neighbor & veteran photographer, ...
11.06.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hear the one about Kasso’s first meeting with Ed Burke? Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/06/23): No guest this week as John Kass & Jeff Carlin look at the start of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke’s federal corruption trial, a historic moment in Chicago politics. Plus, an update from the Rauschenbergers ...
11.01.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: A family’s struggle getting Americans out of Gaza Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/01/23): This week, John Kass & Jeff Carlin meet Elgin-native John Rauschenberger to learn about his daughter Emilee Rauschenberger’s plight in southern Gaza after the violence of 10/7. During a visit to see sick family, Emilee, ...
10.23.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: A visit with migrants living in a police station Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/22/23): On this episode, Ted Dabrowski of Wirepoints.com joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss his recent visit to a Chicago Police Station at Division & Larrabee to talk with migrants who have been recently ...
10.17.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When US interests in the Middle East clash with liberal ideals Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/17/23): This week, John Kass’ younger brother Nicholas Kass, a retired American diplomat with over 30-years of experience advising the most powerful leaders in the world on matters pertaining to the Eastern Mediterranean, joins the conversation ...
10.10.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Charles Lipson on the uncertain future of the Middle East Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/10/23): On the 411th episode, the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, Charles Lipson, joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to with a sober look at the situation leading ...
10.02.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Why the city’s Black community always gets stuck holding the door Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/02/23): This week, John Kass & Jeff Carlin catch up with former Chicago Alderman Roderick Sawyer (6th – parts of Chatham, Englewood, and West Englewood) to better understand why Chicago is a sanctuary city and how ...
09.26.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: At least Stacy Davis Gates has a sense of humor Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/26/23): On this episode, John Kass & Jeff Carlin offer a social media ‘tip-o-the-hat’ to Chicago Teacher’s Union’s Stacy Davis Gates for taking time from her busy schedule spending CTU funds without answering to anyone and ...
09.21.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: On the road in Wilmette Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/20/23): On this special episode, John Kass & Jeff Carlin head to Wilmette, IL for an event hosted by Beth Feeley & Ted Dabrowski of the New Trier Neighbors featuring a conversation between Kass and the ...
09.11.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Where private schools are fascist and the CTU runs the show Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/11/23): Paul Vallas, former candidate for Chicago Mayor and CEO of Chicago Public Schools, joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss the hypocrisy of Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates sending her child to ...
09.04.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When the music stops, who holds the keys? Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/04/23): To close out the summer with John Kass & Jeff Carlin is John’s younger brother Nicholas Spyridon Kass, a retired American diplomat with over 30-years of experience -focused on Aegean/Eastern Mediterranean issues, checking in from ...
08.28.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Should the DNC’s 2024 calculus include Michelle Obama? Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/28/23): This week, RealClear Politics’ Tom Bevanjoins John Kass and Jeff Carlin to look at the most impressive performances in thefirst Republican National Committee presidential debate of the 2024 election.Were some of them so weak that ...
08.21.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Can CPS survive the stranglehold of the CTU? Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/21/23): Chicago mother, author and teacher Erin Geary joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss the state of Chicago’s Public Schools. Check out more Kasso at JohnKassNews.com Follow Everything John Kass – JohnKassNews.com Follow @John_Kass ...
08.14.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Goodbye, Dr. Arwady. Hello, Chris Chelios Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/14/23): This week, John Kass & Jeff Carlin are together to discuss Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson firing Dr. Alison Arwady late Friday and the fallout from that decision. Plus, Kasso tells the story of a dark ...
08.08.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: A manifesto on baby Capones and Christopher Columbus Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/07/23): John Kass & Jeff Carlin are looking for answers and statues after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson calls a mob young people looting a convenience store ‘baby Al Capones’ while remaining silent on the fate of ...
07.27.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Remembering our friend Rocky Wirtz Chicago Way w/John Kass (07/27/23): Summer break is over, John Kass and Jeff Carlin are back to catch you up on where they’ve been and remember their friend, the late Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz. Plus, Kasso shares a bear encounter ...
07.13.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Garry McCarthy on losing his daughter to Chinese fentanyl Chicago Way w/John Kass (07/13/23): This week, Garry McCarthy -former Chicago Police Superintendent and current Chief of Police for Willow Springs, IL- joins John Kass and Jeff Carlin to discuss the tragic loss of his daughter to a fentanyl overdose ...
06.30.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Independence Day, SCOTUS, and impeaching Merrick Garland Chicago Way w/John Kass (06/30/23): To celebrate Independence Day, Charles Lipson, the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, is here to tackle the Supreme Court’s latest rulings on affirmative action and why there’s ...
06.23.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Jason Whitlock is on mission to ‘Reclaim the Rainbow’ Chicago Way w/John Kass (06/23/23): This week, Jason Whitlock, the host of Fearless and longtime sports journalist joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss his mission to “Reclaim the Rainbow” and pushback on the militant way ‘PRIDE’ is being ...
06.13.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Why the grim calculus on Ukraine spells trouble for NATO Chicago Way w/John Kass (06/13/23): On this episode, John’s younger brother Nicholas Kass, a retired American diplomat with over 30-years of experience -focused on Aegean/Eastern Mediterranean issues, takes a deep look at how we got to a war of attrition ...
06.09.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: A retired cop with a camera at a gallery Chicago Way w/John Kass (06/09/23): One of our favorite repeat guests, the ‘Cooking Cop’ –Peter V. Bella, talks about working as a crime scene photog and the collection of b&w photos he has on display at the great Tony Fitzpatrick‘s ...
05.23.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: The apocryphal mythos of journalism Chicago Way w/John Kass (05/23/23): From RealClearInvestigations & The Federalist, Mark Hemingway joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss the ‘damming Durham Report’ and analyze why media outlets are ignoring the report’s findings. Plus, Kasso wonders if the children ...
05.16.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Gentlemanly decorum and frog recipes for Chicago’s new mayor Chicago Way w/John Kass (05/16/23): John Kass & Jeff Carlin discuss local sports media ‘personalities’ making inane & tasteless remarks about Dan Proft’s dead mother -friend of the show, the dawn of the Brandon Johnson era in Chicago as the ...
05.08.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When ignorance is currency, corruption is king in Illinois Chicago Way w/John Kass (05/08/23): On this edition, the co-host of WIND 560’s Morning Answer and conservative politico Dan Proft joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss the verdict in the “ComEd Four” case and why naïve jurors make ...
05.04.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When the bell tolls for America’s once great newsrooms Chicago Way w/John Kass (05/03/23): This week, RealClear Politics’ Tom Bevan is here to discuss the forecast for Biden/Harris against Trump, DeSantis, and the rest. Plus, what really went down with the swift cancelation of Tucker Carlson’s top-rated cable show? ...
04.24.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Pastor Brooks worries the city’s downward spiral is getting worse Chicago Way w/John Kass (04/24/23): Joining the conversation this week is Corey Brooks, Founder and Senior Pastor at New Beginnings Church of Chicago and the Founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D, to discuss with John Kass & Jeff Carlin the ...
04.12.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When legal blows are enough to threaten the body politic Chicago Way w/John Kass (04/12/23): This week, John Kass and Jeff Carlin are joined by the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago Charles Lipson with a look at the national issues facing the ...
04.06.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Welcome to the performative era at City Hall Chicago Way w/John Kass (04/06/23): On this episode, Chicago Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin in a discussion about the challenges facing mayor-elect Brandon Johnson and how the more progressive landscape on the City Council will ...
03.27.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Do national nods mean anything in the race for mayor? Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/27/23): With a week to go in the run-off election to decide Chicago’s next mayor, veteran political advisor at Serafin & Associates and co-host of The Crisis Cast, Thom Serafin, joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin ...
03.20.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hold elected officials accountable for crime, not platitudes Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/20/23): This week, former Cook County and federal prosecutor Bob Milan joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to talk about which strategies and policies the next mayor of Chicago should consider, like holding weekly press conferences ...
03.13.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mary Ann Ahern on what it takes to rise above the noise Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/17/23): Fresh off her role as moderator for the mayoral debate between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, NBC5 Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss the pitfalls of being a public ...
03.08.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: A dose of Southwest Side common sense Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/08/23): On this episode, former Chicago City Hall reporter and award winning columnist Ray Hanania joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss how the media landscape in Chicago has changed over the last 30 years ...
03.01.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Strap in, Johnson v. Vallas is going to be a doozy Chicago Way w/John Kass (03/01/23): On this edition, veteran political advisor at Serafin & Associates and co-host of The Crisis Cast Thom Serafin joins John Kass and Jeff Carlin to look at where Lori Lightfoot went wrong in her failed ...
02.21.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ald. Reilly on the ‘failed experiment’ of Lightfoot, Evans, and Foxx Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/21/23): Chicago Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd) joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss why he isn’t endorsing Lori Lightfoot for re-election, the bad numbers behind the deal Mayor Lightfoot rammed through City Council, and why ...
02.17.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Pulling back the curtain on Brandon Johnson and the CTU Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/17/23): On episode 382, Illinois Policy Institute Vice President of Marketing Austin Berg joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to talk about the debut of “Local 1: The Rise of America’s Most Powerful Teachers Union” and ...
02.13.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Culture devouring policy is no way to run a city Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/13/23): Joining the conversation on this edition, the former Inspector General for Chicago, Joe Ferguson, is here to discuss why the media is letting down voters in the race for mayor, some of the pitfalls that ...
02.10.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mike Singletary wants to save your life Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/09/23): In this very special episode, Super Bowl champion & Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to talk about his foundation –Changing Our Perspective– partnering with Pulse4Pulse to raise awareness ...
02.06.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mike Cummings promises not to ‘line his pockets’ in the 19th Ward Chicago Way w/John Kass (02/06/23): With only a few weeks until election day in Chicago, retired CPD sergeant Mike Cummings is here to discuss why the 19th Ward is ready for a change and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Police Superintendent David ...
01.30.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: How faith, family, & friendship help heal the heart Chicago Way w/John Kass (1/20/23): On this edition, John Kass takes us behind the scenes of his recent health ordeal, what his recovery has been like at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and his faith has helped carry him through. Plus, ...
01.23.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: When perception is a problem, fourth place is a bad look Chicago Way w/John Kass (1/23/23): Joining John Kass & Jeff Carlin on this edition is former longtime editor of the Chicago Sun Times editorial page and now writing for JohnKassNews.com, Steve Huntley. On the docket, the last weeks of the ...
01.18.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: An Update The Chicago Way w/John Kass (1/18/23): John Kass is back with a message to everyone about what’s been happening. Plus, John’s brother Nicholas Kass joins Jeff Carlin for an update on Kasso’s recovery. Check out more Kasso at JohnKassNews.com Follow ...
01.06.2023 Chicago Way w/John Kass: Is Paul Vallas ready to lead Chicago to a brighter future? The Chicago Way w/John Kass (1/6/23): On this episode, the former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools (1995-2001) and candidate hoping to unseat Lori Lightfoot, Paul Vallas joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss his plans for growing Chicago ...
01.02.2023 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A Year in Review The Chicago Way w/John Kass (1/1/2023): John Kass & Jeff Carlin look at the year that was in politics and news. Kass & Carlin also look forward toward 2023 and the politics of the day. Check out more Kasso at ...
12.21.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Merry Christmas to all The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/21/2022): John Kass & Jeff Carlin celebrate the never-ending gift of interest that is Chicago politics, the city’s ‘You Name a Plow’ contest, and the holiday season. Plus, Kasso & Carlin toast to a merry ...
12.16.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Miranda Devine, the Delaware Way, and Uncle Joe The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/16/2022): New York Post columnist Miranda Devine joins John Kass and Jeff Carlin to discuss her new book, Laptop from Hell: Hunter Biden, Big Tech, and the Dirty Secrets the President Tried to Hide, and ...
12.13.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: The Twitter Files, bullying at York HS, and hooray for fusion The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/13/2022): On this edition, John Kass & Jeff Carlin tackle the news of the week including the ongoing expose of the ‘Twitter Files’ -which point to some very unconstitutional practices, terrible news out of suburban ...
12.09.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Tom Bevan on poll accountability, a private school gone too far, and the path to 2024 The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/09/2022): This week, RealClear Politics’ Tom Bevan is here to discuss accountability in polling, what is the heck is happening at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, Donald Trump’s impact on the future of the ...
12.06.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A ‘Cocaine Bear,’ Hunter Biden, and the race for mayor The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/06/2022): On this episode, John Kass and Jeff Carlin analyze the finalized slate of candidates seeking to make Lori Lighfoot a one-term mayor, question why the media is blatantly ignoring news of governmental censorship at ...
12.02.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ray Lopez isn’t buying City Hall’s narrative on crime The Chicago Way w/John Kass (12/02/2022): On this edition, Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) discusses dropping his bid for mayor, what that means for the race to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2023, and running a race for the redrawn 15th ...

Older episodes

The Chicago Way

What's The Chicago Way about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Chicago Way episodes:

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Kindness is for holiday parties, not revolving-door criminal courts

Chicago Way w/John Kass: There’s no glamour in a poorly run city

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hear the one about Kasso’s first meeting with Ed Burke?

Chicago Way w/John Kass: A family’s struggle getting Americans out of Gaza

Chicago Way w/John Kass: A visit with migrants living in a police station

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When US interests in the Middle East clash with liberal ideals

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Charles Lipson on the uncertain future of the Middle East

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Why the city’s Black community always gets stuck holding the door

Chicago Way w/John Kass: At least Stacy Davis Gates has a sense of humor

Chicago Way w/John Kass: On the road in Wilmette

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Where private schools are fascist and the CTU runs the show

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When the music stops, who holds the keys?

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Should the DNC’s 2024 calculus include Michelle Obama?

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Can CPS survive the stranglehold of the CTU?

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Goodbye, Dr. Arwady. Hello, Chris Chelios

Chicago Way w/John Kass: A manifesto on baby Capones and Christopher Columbus

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Remembering our friend Rocky Wirtz

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Garry McCarthy on losing his daughter to Chinese fentanyl

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Independence Day, SCOTUS, and impeaching Merrick Garland

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Jason Whitlock is on mission to ‘Reclaim the Rainbow’

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Why the grim calculus on Ukraine spells trouble for NATO

Chicago Way w/John Kass: A retired cop with a camera at a gallery

Chicago Way w/John Kass: The apocryphal mythos of journalism

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Gentlemanly decorum and frog recipes for Chicago’s new mayor

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When ignorance is currency, corruption is king in Illinois

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When the bell tolls for America’s once great newsrooms

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Pastor Brooks worries the city’s downward spiral is getting worse

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When legal blows are enough to threaten the body politic

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Welcome to the performative era at City Hall

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Do national nods mean anything in the race for mayor?

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hold elected officials accountable for crime, not platitudes

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mary Ann Ahern on what it takes to rise above the noise

Chicago Way w/John Kass: A dose of Southwest Side common sense

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Strap in, Johnson v. Vallas is going to be a doozy

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ald. Reilly on the ‘failed experiment’ of Lightfoot, Evans, and Foxx

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Pulling back the curtain on Brandon Johnson and the CTU

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Culture devouring policy is no way to run a city

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mike Singletary wants to save your life

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Mike Cummings promises not to ‘line his pockets’ in the 19th Ward

Chicago Way w/John Kass: How faith, family, & friendship help heal the heart

Chicago Way w/John Kass: When perception is a problem, fourth place is a bad look

Chicago Way w/John Kass: An Update

Chicago Way w/John Kass: Is Paul Vallas ready to lead Chicago to a brighter future?

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A Year in Review

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Merry Christmas to all

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Miranda Devine, the Delaware Way, and Uncle Joe

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: The Twitter Files, bullying at York HS, and hooray for fusion

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Tom Bevan on poll accountability, a private school gone too far, and the path to 2024

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A ‘Cocaine Bear,’ Hunter Biden, and the race for mayor

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ray Lopez isn’t buying City Hall’s narrative on crime

Other shows like The Chicago Way: