The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about Illinois launching Mobile ID for iPhones. Are the Rascals on board with the new technology feature? Next, Mayor Johnson’s budget proposal failed to advance through the City Council’s Finance Committee with a key holdup being Johnson’s plan for a corporate head tax. Where are the Rascals on the head tax plan? Also, former Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing for a state constitutional amendment requiring Illinois millionaires to pay a 3% surcharge on their income tax returns. The Rascals debate the merits of the idea. Another local story making news this week: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas teasing a mayoral run. Do the Rascals think she’s a legitimate candidate? Next, the Rascals turn their attention to the latest news on the Epstein files. What are the major takeaways from the imminent release of the Epstein files? And will this be a turning point for the GOP? Also this week, President Trump scolded a reporter by telling her, ‘Quiet, piggy,’ and admonished a reporter for asking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. And finally, the Rascals submit their choices for 2025’s Word of the Year.