The John Howell Show Podcast

Automated license plate readers are becoming a hot topic as of late. Critics say the cameras are intrusive and leaves the door open for the data collected to be misused. On the other hand, law enforcement promises these cameras are an essential tool. Retired Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel joins John Howell to share his thoughts.

*WLS City Hall Reporter Mallory Vor Broker recaps a contentious City Hall Committee hearing on Lightfoot's gas card proposal

*Alisa Kaplan of Reform for Illinois discusses the concerns regarding Willie Wilson's gas giveaway conflicting with campaign guidelines.

*Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez shares the problems that he sees in the 78 Casino proposal.

*Mike Emanuel stops by to discuss today's Capitol evacuation and to give his thoughts on the new aid package for Ukraine.

*Plus, Geoffrey Baer previews the second season of the Great Chicago Quiz Show, and a poll asks whether or not Joe Biden will finish his first term.

During a Nationals baseball game, their parachute team was flying in restricted airspace and failed to inform Capitol Police about their presence. The entire Capitol Hill was evacuated for safety concerns but was only a false alarm. Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent Mike Emanuel joins John with the full story.

*2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins discusses the potential issues of the proposed Bally casino site and hints at a potential mayoral run.

*Professor Charles Lipson tells John how politicians in America continue to pass the buck.

*Paul Vallas shares why he believes that CPD needs to purge its top brass, including Superintendent David Brown.

*Dr. John Kenneth White of the Catholic University of America describes why America's politics are stuck in neutral.

*Plus, Matthew Walther of The Lamp satirizes the state of baseball, and Lee Murphy of Crain's covers the booming indoor golf facility industry.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas joins John Howell to share his thoughts on the exodus of officers in Chicago and what the city is doing about it.

As the time to break ground nears, residents of the neighborhoods currently being scooped out for a potential casino are becoming concerned with what a casino may bring to their area. Alderman are listening to their residents and some have committed to vote against the casino if their ward is chosen. Alderman Brian Hopkins joins John Howell to discuss the situation.

*ABC News Correspondent Katherine Faulders details Joe Biden's 180 on oil and gas drilling on federal lands.

*Howard Reich tells John how his Tribune series 'Mac's Journey' is being written into an opera that will debut next year.

*Former Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis takes a look at the Battle of Donbas and tries to determine what Putin's next move will be.

*Ronald Kessler and Lis Wiehl join the show to discuss problems facing the Secret Service and the FBI.

*Plus, Salena Zito describes how Pennsylvania is shifting dramatically to the right, but feelings are mixed about Dr. Oz

On February 18th, 2001, Robert Philip Hanssen was arrested and charged with committing espionage on behalf of the intelligence services of the former Soviet Union. His espionage was described by the Department of Justice as “the worst intelligence disaster in U.S. history.” Author Lis Wiehl joins John Howell to discuss her new book. Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Plain-Sight-Hanssen_Americas-Damaging/dp/1639361715

With Putin's finances being frozen at the moment, Military Expert Daniel L. Davis is suggesting we liquidate Putin's assets instead and give that money to Ukraine in the form of aid. John Howell shares his thoughts on the idea and situation in Ukraine.

*Gery Chicago remembers the Great Chicago Flood, when he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Richard Daley.

*In the wake of Dianne Feinstein's reported issues, John talks about the 'old' problem that faces a large portion of the Senate.

*Mark Brown of the Sun-Times discusses why he believes that Ex-Alderman Danny Solis' deal with the feds was way too generous.

*Retired WLS City Hall reporter Bill Cameron honors the life and legacy of Mayor Harold Washington on what would have been his 100th birthday.

*Plus, Madeleine Doubak of Change Illinois shares the state of the ward remap battle and Jason Nathanson previews the final season of Better Call Saul.