Ted Dabrowski, President of Wirepoints.org, joins Ray to share the shocking numbers of children in Illinois schools that are not meeting math and reading standards and how this trend will greatly diminish their quality of life and ability to succeed in adulthood.

For the full report, visit Wirepoints.org.

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Ian Wylie Hedrick, Founder of City Famers, tried to build something big right here in Illinois — a business that combined agriculture, tech, and a smart way to feed cities with leafy greens. But he’s walking away. Why? Because Illinois lawmakers just passed a sweeping new law regulating blockchain technology.

He joins Ray Stevens to talk about his frustration with lawmakers standing in the way of innovation and how it's causing great businesses to leave Illinois.

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Rod McCulloch, the Illinois Pollster, joins Ray and Nick to look at who will be the favorite candidate to replace the seat long held by Senator Dick Durbin and how to interpret the latest polls on the Trump presidency.

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Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson joins Ray Stevens to discuss the recent arrest of a Milwaukee judge who allegedly assisted an illegal immigrant evade ICE, the spending problem in Washington, and why Obamacare is the biggest problem facing Medicare and Medicaid.

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Paul Vallas joins Ray and Nick to talk about Governor Pritzker's tough talk that has been interpreted as a call for chaos in Illinois and Mayor Johnson's continued attempts to blame the Trump administration for Chicago's problems.

Read Vallas' latest piece for the Illinois Policy Institute here: https://www.illinoispolicy.org/vallas-pritzker-johnson-keep-playing-trump-card/

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1. IF YOU WANT TO ADD A LITTLE SPIN TO YOUR BRUNCH- HOP ON OVER TO BREAKFAST WITH A BUNNY AT WHIRLY BALL CHICAGO - on Saturday, April 19th, the entire family is invited to the first annual Breakfast with a Bunny. Whether looking to indulge in some friendly competition or nosh on exceptional buffet-style food and drink, WhirlyBall provides the perfect venue to celebrate Easter this season. WhirlyBall is the most fun you can have going 4 miles an hour! The game of WhirlyBall combines lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars in a game of skill coupled with a touch a chance. While maneuvering bumper cars, two teams of five use hand-held scoops to pass a wiffle ball to each other – and ultimately at a scoring target. Keep the good times rolling with a variety of Bowling lanes, multi-level Laser Tag, and Pop-Up Games (Giant Jenga, Cornhole, and more) available. Breakfast with a Bunny ($40 per child under 16 + $45 per adult) will include a delicious buffet-style holiday brunch, unlimited Whirlyball and Bowling, a complimentary Neon Easter Egg Hunt throughout the signature Laser Tag room, and plenty of photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny himself. Tickets are available now at www.whirlyball..com and at the door. WHERE: Breakfast with a Bunny Whirlyball Chicago 1825 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 WHEN: Saturday, April 19th 10 AM - 12:30 PM DETAILS: ($40 per child under 16 + $45 per adult Include: Buffet, WhirlyBall, Bowling, Photos with the Bunny & Pop-Up Games
2. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE ROMANCE ON A GOOD FRIDAY: CHECK OUT THE Tony Award winning Titanic the Musical at the Marriott Theatre! It's only 2 and a half hours (less than the 2 VHS tapes of the James Cameron film)  For more information: @marriotttheatre AND the best part? There's a new pop-up restaurant- Three Embers-where you can get drinks and appetizers before the show! Anchors, away!
3. IF YOU WANT TO HIT THE HIGH SEAS- CHECK OUT THE First Lady Cruises- it's their 90th season and starts TODAY - FOLLOW THEM @firstladycruisesThey offer:  Sightseeing River & Lake Cruise, Canine Cruise, 3D Fireworks Cruise and Creepy Cruiseare opening earlier this year TODAY!    Creepy Cruise: From mysterious sightings, creepy haunts, mobsters and more, you’ll hear stories of Chicago’s darker side on our newest nighttime tour. Cruise the Chicago River amidst twilight tales of the city you never knew existed… and might wish you could forget.
1. o   Cruise Schedule: Fridays, Saturdays and Select Thursdays and Sundays; through November 2025o   Pricing Information: Priority Boarding (Adult from $50; Kids from $25); General Boarding (Adult from $45; Kids from $20)        

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David Hochberg from Homeside Financial joins Ray Stevens to recap Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments to the Economic Club of Chicago, the continuing fallout of tariffs, and what this means for your buying power.

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110th District State Rep. Blaine Wilhour joins Ray Stevens to discuss the disastrous results of Gov. Pritzker's "sanctuary state" policy and why it's time for him to answer to Congress and his constituents.

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Attorney Rae Kaplan joins Ray Stevens to talk about the ongoing issue of student loan forgiveness and how Congress can strike a balance that provides relief for borrowers in tough economic times while not moving the burden onto taxpayers.

Visit Kaplan Law Firm at www.financialrelief.com for more information on restructuring your debt and making smart decisions about your loan.

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Doug Meffley, director of Honor Flight Chicago, shares how his organization honors hundreds of veterans every year by taking them on a life changing journey to Washington D.C.

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