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.

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Chicago Way w/John Kass: Th...

05.23.2023

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 ...

The Chicago Way episodes:

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 ...
11.21.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Thanksgiving Edition The Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/21/2022): On this Thanksgiving edition, John Kass & Jeff Carlin offer up some things to be thankful for like friends, family, the bountiful condition state of Chicago politics, and the World Cup. Plus, Kasso wonders ...
11.18.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Did running with the bulls prep Gary Fencik to for a mayoral run? The Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/18/2022): This week, Chicago Bears great Gary Fencik joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss his life & career in Chicago, the time he ran with the bulls, a throwback Illinois Lottery commercial, and ...
11.14.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: As ‘Chuy’ chums the mayoral waters, will Trump jump the shark? The Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/14/2022): On this episode, John Kass & Jeff Carlin preview the week’s news including the announcement that Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia is seeking to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Ald. Tom Tunney deciding not too challenge ...
11.10.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Thom Serafin on the red ripple, IL’s future, and Pritzker’s after shave The Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/10/2022): On this edition, veteran political advisor at Serafin & Associates and co-host of The Crisis Cast, Thom Serafin joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to unpack the 2022 mid-term elections, look at the future ...
11.04.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Don’t go crazy counting votes, again, and again… The Chicago Way w/John Kass (11/04/2022): As the clock winds down on the 2022 midterm elections, John Kass and Jeff Carlin look at the hair-on-fire antics of the media, what happens when media and political parties work in concert to ...
10.31.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: There’s a little Capt. Queeg in all of us The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/31/2022): John Kass and Jeff Carlin are joined this week by the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago Charles Lipson to discuss how nationwide violence will lead the ...
10.28.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Political horror stories & tales of misfortune The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/28/2022): In preparation for Halloween, John Kass & Jeff Carlin share their favorite scary (political) stories from their week and offer up considerations for the ‘Golden Moutza’ for October. Plus, who is scarier than a ...
10.24.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Beware the political carnival barkers of November The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/24/2022): Entering the ‘No Chumbolone Zone’ this week is Ted Dabrowski of Wirepoints.com to discuss new data on how the pandemic impacted student achievement, the misconceptions about the ‘SAFE-T’ Act, and why Amendment 1 on ...
10.21.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Charles Thomas steps off the Chumbolone ‘plantation’ The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/21/2022): A fed up former ABC7 Chicago reporter Charles Thomas, who -after almost 30 years retired in broadcasting- has come under fire for taking $50,000 from a conservative super PAC run by Dan Proft to ...
10.17.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Welcome to Chicago, it’s safe, we promise The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/17/2022): On this edition, veteran reporter and special contributor to WGN Radio & NewsNation Anna Davlantes joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to offer a historical perspective on the current state of Chicago’s political, criminal, ...
10.11.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: How to spot a bad poll and why it matters The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/11/2022): This week, RealClear Politics’ Tom Bevan checks in to discuss polling and a new RCP project aimed at making ‘bad polls’ easier to recognize. Bevan also takes on the major storylines & key races ...
10.04.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ed O’Bradovich gets fired up about talk of a ‘rebuilding’ year The Chicago Way w/John Kass (10/04/2022): The legend himself, Chicago Bear Ed O’Bradovich from The Hamp & O’B Show, discusses why he thinks the Bears should move to Arlington Heights, explains why he can’t stand the notion of ‘rebuilding year,’ ...
09.28.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Prof. Lipson offers perspective on our lack of civic nationalism The Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/28/2022): 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, to discuss civic nationalism’s role in society and ...
09.21.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Red flags abound in the implementation of the Safe-T Act The Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/21/2022): This week, St. Senator John Curran (R-Downers Grove) -former assistant Cook County state’s attorney- joins John Kass and Jeff Carlin to debunk the half-truths surrounding the Safe-T Act and offer up a sobering view ...
09.12.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Is anyone hearing Chicago’s screams? The Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/12/2022): On this episode, John Kass & Jeff Carlin are joined by Matt Rosenberg to discuss the work at WirePoint.org and the ‘unraveling’ of Chicago. Plus, Kasso reacts to this news story about a violent ...
09.07.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: GOP AG candidate Tom DeVore questions the ethics of his opponent The Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/07/2022): Joining the conversation with John Kass & Jeff Carlin is Republican candidate for Illinois Attorney General, Tom Devore. Attorney Devore has questions about Gov. JB Pritzker’s abuse of executive orders, current AG Kwame Raoul’s ...
09.03.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: The great ‘Ball of Confusion’ keeps rolling The Chicago Way w/John Kass (09/03/2022): John Kass & Jeff Carlin discuss the news of the week on this episode including a foreboding primetime address from President Joe Biden, Chicago Mayor Lori Lighfoot’s interesting words for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, ...
08.30.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Dan Proft responds to Mayor Lighfoot’s ‘racial demagoguery’ The Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/30/2022): On this edition, the co-host of WIND 560’s Morning Answer and conservative political advocate Dan Proft joins John Kass & Jeff Carlin to discuss Chicago Mayor Lori Lighfoot’s accusing Proft’s People Who Play By ...
08.27.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Questioning the constitutionality of executive orders The Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/26/2022): On this episode, John Kass and Jeff Carlin talk with the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, Charles Lipson to get his assessment of the FBI raid ...
08.16.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ald. Roderick Sawyer has a plan to get Chicago back on track The Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/16/2022): On this edition, John Kass & Jeff Carlin catch up with Chicago Alderman Roderick Sawyer (6th – parts of Chatham, Englewood, and West Englewood) to discuss his father’s legacy fulfilling late Mayor Harold Washington’s ...
08.12.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hero dispatcher remembers the night Ella French was murdered and why he resigned The Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/12/2022): On this edition, John Kass and Jeff Carlin are joined by the 911 dispatcher credited with managing the chaotic situation involving the murder of Chicago police officer Ella French and helping to save the ...
08.09.2022 The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A time-traveling newsman and the cheeps that keep him going The Chicago Way w/John Kass (08/09/2022): On this episode, John Kass & Jeff Carlin look at Kass’ time traveling theories, the ‘cheep, cheep’ at the fence, crime strategies in Chicago, and what’s next for Mayor of Chicago. Plus, Kasso prepares ...

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: 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

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Thanksgiving Edition

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Did running with the bulls prep Gary Fencik to for a mayoral run?

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: As ‘Chuy’ chums the mayoral waters, will Trump jump the shark?

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Thom Serafin on the red ripple, IL’s future, and Pritzker’s after shave

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Don’t go crazy counting votes, again, and again…

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: There’s a little Capt. Queeg in all of us

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Political horror stories & tales of misfortune

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Beware the political carnival barkers of November

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Charles Thomas steps off the Chumbolone ‘plantation’

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Welcome to Chicago, it’s safe, we promise

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: How to spot a bad poll and why it matters

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ed O’Bradovich gets fired up about talk of a ‘rebuilding’ year

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Prof. Lipson offers perspective on our lack of civic nationalism

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Red flags abound in the implementation of the Safe-T Act

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Is anyone hearing Chicago’s screams?

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: GOP AG candidate Tom DeVore questions the ethics of his opponent

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: The great ‘Ball of Confusion’ keeps rolling

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Dan Proft responds to Mayor Lighfoot’s ‘racial demagoguery’

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Questioning the constitutionality of executive orders

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Ald. Roderick Sawyer has a plan to get Chicago back on track

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: Hero dispatcher remembers the night Ella French was murdered and why he resigned

The Chicago Way w/John Kass: A time-traveling newsman and the cheeps that keep him going

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