How is it that Chicago still lacks a city charter? We're chasing the answer to that question this week with Kam Buckner who represents the 26th District in the Illinois General Assembly.  Rep. Buckner insists the city's lack of a constitution keeps us from any effective governance.   In this episode, Lissa & Thom get to the heart of how Rep. Buckner's long and illustrious resume led him to Springfield. We'll hear how he's drafting a values document for city, and why he's been able to attract support from the left, the right, and the middle in the process.   Kam shares lessons of wisdom from his father, a Chicago Police officer in the 1980s. It's our exclusive preview of the book he's writing on leadership — with his father's priceless quotes at the center of it.    This week's Crisis Cast hero: Unblocked Englewood's Tonika Johnson.

After a storied career in media, Roe Conn is living his father's dream for him, as a devoted public servant. In the summer of 2021, Conn became a sworn deputy and Director of the Cook County sheriff's office.    In this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss & Thom Serafin dig into what a career pivot like that looks and feels like. We'll hear about Conn's task force to reduce carjackings in Cook County and his insights on crime analytics. Plus, April 1st marked a major shift in the electronic monitoring of criminal offenders, and we'll explore its impact on the justice system.   Read about this week's Crisis Cast hero, Jahkil Jackson, here.

On March 17, 2020 Lissa Druss called us together to button down the launch of this podcast. It was just days prior to the State of Illinois' official call for a "shelter in place" due to the global pandemic.   In this episode, Lissa, Thom Serafin, and our producer Todd Manley met on St. Patrick's Day 2025 to discuss what we've learned about leadership and humanity over the past five years. We'll share our five most-downloaded episodes and listen back to the many voices that have been our "crisis" teachers. Plus, we'll wade in the waters of gratitude for all of you who've made our 5th anniversary possible by listening.

Too many voices simply complain about the struggles of our state. Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski enters our chat room with solutions for Illinois. Ted's approach is driven by 16-year career in international finance, based in Poland and Mexico.   During this episode, you'll hear what compelled Dabrowski to come home to engage in public policy. Plus, we'll dive into the what can be done to change the state's power dynamics, and how to engineer a turnaround in economic growth.   Ted Dabrowski is a first generation American, with a master's degree from the University of Chicago and MBA from the Wharton School.   This week's Crisis Cast hero is Dion Dawson, founder of Dion's Chicago Dream.

Four "sanctuary city" mayors faced a grilling before Congress this week. How did Chicago's Brandon Johnson perform? You'll hear his grade from Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Gregory Royal Pratt.   Pratt is literally writing the book on City Hall, and breaks down the chaos of a 6-plus hour hearing on Capitol Hill that questioned Chicago's role in immigration reform. Lissa & Thom get into the weeds on the city's fractured political factions, and the future of reporting in the age of social media.   Plus, Greg Pratt offers his list of politicians who can bridge the gaps between deeply divided power groups. Pratt is author of the book The City is Up for Grabs.

In times of crisis, few organizations can rise to the occasion like The Salvation Army. But a $24 million budget shortfall, driven by Elon Musk's team at DOGE is putting the services "The Army" provides in peril.   During this episode, we examine the impact of massive federal funding cuts on non-profits. Lissa Druss is joined by Brian Bernardoni, Executive Council Chair for the North & Central Division of The Salvation Army. We'll unravel the complexities of financing non-profits. Plus, break down how state by state, politics is driving the flow of money. This week's Crisis Cast Hero: Jacqueline Alcántara

We've had more than a week to digest the trial of former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan. We're still processing. Who better to guide that thinking than the Chicago Tribune's investigative reporter Ray Long.    In this episode, Ray joins Lissa & Thom to explore the implications of Madigan's conviction on Illinois politics and the broader issues of corruption within Illinois' political system. We'll get into the challenges of ethical governance and the role of journalism in documenting political misbehavior.   Plus, we ponder the question of whether politicians are capable of policing themselves.    Ray Long is two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, and author of The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer.

Here's some political whiplash. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan historic corruption conviction lands just days after impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich is pardoned by President Donald Trump. Some might say, "Only in Illinois."

During this episode of the Crisis Cast, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin contemplate whether Madigan's conviction signals the full closure of Springfield's legacy patronage culture. Plus, what kind of price will the state pay for J.B. Pritzker's pursuit of the national spotlight?

How do you find the words, when events leave you speechless? That's one of the questions that faced Los Angeles-based screenwriter and producer Amy Guth during the recent wildfires.   During this episode, Thom Serafin gets curious about writer's block and hidden narratives with Amy. This is a conversation about getting started on a book, on a film, on anything. Plus, you'll learn how Guth became a baroness.   Amy Guth also hosts two podcasts: Crain's Daily Gist and Words Matter. You can read her blog Writing for Weird Times on Substack.

The midair collision of an American Airlines passenger plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter underscored the critical nature of crisis response. A space Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin live and breathe.

During this episode of the Crisis Cast, we'll discuss the hard realities facing the new Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy. Plus, we'll chat through the White House's on again-off again funding freeze and what may have fueled its demise.