The Ben Joravsky Show

The reporters on the New York Times are on a one-day strike. Ben riffs. And former 46th ward Alderwoman Helen Shiller talks about her new book--Daring to Struggle, Daring to Win. It's about her life on the front lines of lefty and independent politics in Chicago since the 1970s. What a great conversation...Harold Washington, Richard Daley, the Jesus People and more. Does she have any regrets? You have to listen to find out...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Council Wars is always on my mind. Ben and Maya riff. And Chris Scott, Chief Political Officer for Democracy for America, has Georgia and the midterms on his mind. What went wrong, what went right. How should Democrats deal with overtly racist Republican tactics? And what to do about Ohio? Or—how to win the Dave Chappelle voter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1963, 24th ward alderman Ben Lewis was executed--bullet to the back of his head--one late night in his West Side ward office. The case remains unsolved. Propublica reporter Mick Dumke has spent the better part of the last year digging into the crime. His expose sheds light on ties between the Mob & the Machine in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senator Raphael Warnock wins in Georgia and Judge Doris Pryor gets confirmed by the senate. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns after being off a few weeks. He's got a lot on his mind, including...Warnock's win; Herschel Walker as the world's worst candidate; Barack Obama v. Bill Clinton; Trump's conviction; and MAGA propaganda. Or, why do Democrats believe MAGA trash talk? Also, a tribute to the great Sergio Mims. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris on Tulsi Gabbard leaving the Democratic Party. Just like Andrew Yang left the party. And why Marianne Williamson never was in the party. Just think--all three were given a prime spot on the debate stage leading up to the 2020 presidential. Why do Democrats love to hurt themselves? And then it's on to MAGA men...DeSantis, Leo, Walker & Jones. And more...10/15/22See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JB Pritzker dodges a question about the mayoral election and Congressman Rodney Davis shows he's still scared of Trump. Ben riffs. And Michael Gerardi--the Neil Young of Chicago--returns. He sings one of his greatest hits: The Ballad of An Indicted Alderman. Then he talks politics. Including the futility of the tax-the-rich messaging, the mixed message in the War on Drugs and a few thoughts on the Greatest Generation. Maybe they're not so great. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The time has come for Ben & Dr. D to riff on a week’s worth of news, including…Darren Bailey’s feeble attempts to explain his loss. And Lightfoot v Garcia in the petition game. And Ed Burke stepping down. And more…much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Terry Cosgrove--the outgoing president of Personal PAC--knows how to fight MAGA. Will Democrats listen? Dems being Dems, probably not--at least in New York. Terry breaks down the results of the midterms to explain why Democrats won in Illinois. Take note, Dems. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congressman-elect George Santos distinguishes between “Jewish” and “Jew-ish”. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Santos, Trump taxes, Roy Cohn, why the breakdown at Midway Airport is sorta Reagan’s fault and more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Columbia College sociology professor Wilfredo Cruz wrote the book on Latino politics in Chicago--literally! It's called Latinos in Chicago--Quest for a Political Voice. Wilfredo talks about the evolution of local Latino politics. So many Latino politicians got their start thanks to Harold Washington. Then they turned around and cut their deal with Mayor Daley. We're talking about you, Luis Gutierrez. Will Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia be the first Latino mayor? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the mayor's race kicking up, it's a good time to check in with Delmarie Cobb, one of Chicago's smartest political strategists. And so we take the deep dive on things like...the mayoral legacies of Rahm, Daley & Harold's. Why is this city so determined to erase all the good things Harold Washington tried to do? Also, a confession from Ben & Delmarie about Daley. What's with Alderman Brian Hopkins going after Mayor Lightfoot? It's a prime example of the difference between transactional and relationship politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Christmas, we thought we’d do a little something different. The great jazz guitarist, Mike Allemana, and his vocalist daughter, Gabby, visited the virtual studio to sing some songs and play guitar. And also talk about the year in music. Guess who beat who to the stage at Carnegie Hall?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On October 28 2019, the great Conrad Worrill came to the studio to talk about his life and legacy as a front-line activist going back to the ’60s. Conrad Worrill died June 3, 2020.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist/editorial writer Rummana Hussain & Ben talk Chappelle. As in Dave, riffing on Ye; the difference between billionaires and millionaires; Jewish people; Kyrie; and Donald Trump--whom Chappelle calls an honest liar. Which really sums it up. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben & Dr. D talk the week that was, but first...State Senator Rob Martwick promotes Tuesday's Mayoral Forum, which Ben is moderating. And then it's on to the week that was. Including...Rickey Hendon/Willie Wilson v. Ja'Mal Green, round two. Only now Green is also challenging Wilson. And Oscar & Felix are back--the characters in Mayor Lightfoot's latest commercial. Boomers swoon. And Chuy picks up $1 million contribution. And Ben has a thing or two to say about MAGA's bizarre reaction to Brittney Griner's release. Bottom line--you're weird, MAGA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Guarino's WBEZ/Sun-Times story exposes Mayor Lightfoot's NASCAR deal as a wreck. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns to push back on NASCAR--sorta. And then Monroe analyzes Trump and his crimes. Republicans cry "witch hunt". Monroe says it's actually a "which hunt"--as in which crime Trump will go to prison for. A few words about DeSantis's COVID rewrite. And meet newly elected congressman George Santos--baby Trump in New York. And, of all things, some Riverview Reminiscence. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Property tax bill are coming out. Ben freaks out. And 40th ward Alderman Andre Vasquez talks about building coalitions, running for re-election, Harold Washington, rap battles, lefties going at each other's throats, budgets and a whole bunch of other stuff that is on his mind. Special bonus--he drops the mic on Ben.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In These Times editor/writer Miles Kampf-Lassin has a lot on his mind as he reviews the post-midterm political landscape. In particular…think local, lefties. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some cronies of Mayor Rahm are kicking in money to elect what they call "workhorse aldermen" as opposed to "showhorse aldermen". Ben riffs. And Stacy Davis Gates, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, returns. She's got a lot on her mind, including...the aforementioned cronies of Mayor Rahm; Brandon Johnson mayoral candicacy; why the union's not a "kingmaker"; and what's the matter with Mayor Lightfoot. Hint--it's not her personality. Also, a word or two about the senatorial campaign in Georgia. There is not return to normal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s Thanksgiving! Much love and thanks for all our friends & family. Enrique Limon, Reader editor, makes his debut. Describes his journey from a kid in Mexico to one of the top jobs in alternative journalism. One stop along the way was Utah. So he offers a word or two or three about Black Lives Matter in Salt Lake City.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Gregory Pratt points out, many people in Chicago aren't obsessively paying attention to the mayor's race. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Republicans and the Mark Meadows tweets. And journalist/activist LeAlan Jones talk about the life and legacy of Lloyd Newman--LeAlan's writing partner on the the award-winning “Ghetto Life 101”. Newman recently died at age 43. Finally, a word or two or three about the mayor's race.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben asks the question most are too afraid to pose…Do the millennials who are running Mayor Lightfoot’s re-election campaign realize they took a line from the Isley Brothers? And 46 ward aldermanic candidate Angela Clay talks Uptown politics then and now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia hasn’t been elected mayor yet, and he’s already acting like an emperor. Ben riffs. And Reader writer Kelly Garcia talks FOIA law and aldermanic petition challenges and police district elections. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brandon Johnson announces he’s running for mayor. Chuy Garcia continues to think about running for Mayor. Mayor Lightfoot sorta makes things up as she goes along. And Pat Whalen explains why everyone is feeling so much anxiety. Just some of a week’s worth of news discussed by Ben, Dr. D and Pat.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks MAGA's attitudes toward Black voters. Or what does it say about MAGA's attitude toward Black voters that MAGA thought Black voters would vote for Herschel Walker? Also, Alito and his MAGA comrades on the Supremes try to concoct a legal justification to discriminate against gays and lesbians and trans and anyone else MAGA hates. Just call it...creative lawmaking from MAGA judicial activists.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa & Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez take the deep dive on Bring Chicago Home. That's a proposal to put a binding referendum on the ballot asking voters if they support slapping a tax on the sale of wealthy property to raise money to build housing for homeless. It's not a proposal to create such a tax. Again, it's a proposal to ask you, the voters, if you want to create that tax. It seemed to have widespread aldermanic support. But...Chicago being Chicago, it never came for a vote in the council. Carlos & Rossana explain what went down.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yesterday was day one for mayoral candidates to file nominating petitions. Ben riffs. Podcaster Marc Sims talks mayor’s race, Thomas Sowell, Dave Chappelle and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot's drivers get caught parking in a bike lane, while the mayor ducks into a bakery to buy some doughnuts. Ben riffs. And WBEZ journalist Alden Loury returns to discuss his latest Sun-Times column on low voter turnout. Have Chicagoans become nihilists? Also, demographics in Chicago. If everyone says they want to reverse the trend of Black people leaving town, why won't anyone do anything about it? A word or two or three about economic development and the Red Line extension. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump makes it official. Ben riffs. And WVON talk show host David Seaton talks Trump, MAGA, Black Trump supporters and more. Much more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political scientist David Faris makes his midterm predictions. And a word or two about MAGA’s bizarre approach to fighting inflation. And the New York Times obsession with John Fetterman’s stroke. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago's Police union endorses a man named "Don Bailey" for governor. Ben riffs. And columnist Eric Zorn returns to discuss all the burning issues of the day. Like...whether Ben & Maya were unfair to pull First Tuesdays from The Hideout. It's Election Day and democracy as we know it in America is basically on the ballot. Yet, Ben & Eric are bickering over Hideoutgate. No wonder Democrats lose. We do manage a few words about Michael Moore's predictions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's a battle raging as the GOP's "right flank" challenges Kevin McCarthy's bid for speaker. Right flanks implies there's a left flank. Ben riffs. Devin Thompson, singer extraordinaire, talks about his upcoming concert. Dave Glowacz, of Inside Chicago Government, examines recent city council meetings. Why won't the head of the public schools attend council hearings? Why won't Mayor Lightfoot bring back a Department of Environment? Why would Alderman Tom Tunney suddenly raise questions about city's longstanding financial health? And how can an alderperson vote for and against a budget at the same time? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben travels to a place he's never been on election night--MSNBC. He weighs in with what he saw. Monroe Anderson returns to say the "Red Wave" turned into a "pink trickle". What happened, MAGA? And Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party, examines the statewide election returns. For once, MAGA's scare white people strategy failed. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oh, what a week, indeed! Ben & Dr. D riff on the news, most of it out of Chicago. Starting with...Donoughtgate. Is Doughnutgate worse than Cinnamon Rollgate? Hmm, tough, tough question. And then it's on to the mayor's race, still in its embryonic stages. Chicago Magazines rates the candidates. Ben riffs. And, away from Chicago, a word or two or three about New York Democrats--who just may the most clueless bunch of so-called political experts in the world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain asks the question. If women have a right not to wear hijabs, doesn't that also mean they have a right to wear them? Also, Rummana does a victory march on Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West. She hates to say I told you so, but...she told you so. And a word or two about Bad Sisters...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The midterms were supposed to be a Red Wave, doing with votes what the insurrectionists couldn’t do on January 6–giving MAGA control of Congress. David Faris takes the deep dive on why that didn’t happen. How the pollsters and pundits minimized abortion rights. How the Democrats finally learned to play hardball. Except New York Dems, who just may be the lamest bunch of political incompetents—ever. And much more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a week of politics for Ben & Dr. D to riff about. The Red Wave turns into a Blue one, at least in Illinois. New York Dems are clueless. Give Speaker Welch credit—he knows how to play the mapmaking game. Congressman “Chuy” draws sharp elbows from Mayor Lightfoot. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot & George Cardenas pull an Eddie Haskell. Ben explains. Shoutout to Gregory Pratt for another great scoop. And Clem Balanoff talks Jesus Garcia—he’s going to run for mayor. Monroe Anderson is skeptical. Then the talk turns to the midterms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's official--Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is running for mayor. Ben riffs by answering a question from V-Train. Also Peter Cunningham--political strategist, speech writer & rock `n roll guitarist--takes the deep dive on...crime & police. We know more police will not bring down crime. But good luck saying that in the middle of a contentious mayoral campaign when people are freaking out over crime. Also, was it Chico Marx or Richard Pryor who said--"who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?" Could Ben & PC both be right about this?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Football coach/analyst LeAlan Jones has an unique take on the Chicago Bears. He thinks they're making smart moves that will bring them a Super Bowl Championship. He explains why he believes that and why the "experts" are so critical of the Bears. A word or two or three about Ryan Poles & Justin Fields. By the way, the conversation took place before Sunday’s game against Atlanta, which the Bears lost. Yet LeAlan remains optimistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Historian Rosemary Feurer & Elliott Gorn talk Chicago's radical past. Particularly the successful effort to pay tribute to Mother Jones, the turn-of-the-last-century radical. Yes, radical. She didn't hide from it. Will Chicago recognize it's radical roots? Or will it tilt every more toward the right?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet tries to hold MAGA strategist Dan Proft to the same rules and standards real journalists must follow. Ben riffs. And Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson talks about running for mayor. He explains why he's the progressive candidate in the race. What it means to be a progressive. And whether Chicago's open to a progressive mayor. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bears make their first move toward convincing Arlington Heights residents to pay for their football stadium. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns to explain a few things about Chicago history that Mayor Lightfoot may not understand. Such as the Evans/Sawyer split that divided Black Chicago and handed City Hall over to Daley. And attorney Jim Coogan joins Monroe to talk Special Master. That is...the bizarre ruling by Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, to give ol' Donnie what he wants--a "Special Master" to review the government documents he, Donnie, stole from the White House. MAGA looks out for its own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elon Musk gets ready to fire hundreds of Twitter employees. Ben riffs. And Troy LaRaviere talks Musk, Trump & Ye. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer/guitarist Andrea Bunch and activist Alicia Hurtado—of the Chicago Abortion Fund—talk about the fight for reproductive rights in the aftermath of the midterms. The fight is not over—even in Illinois where abortion is legal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After about 20 years as an organizer, Amisha Patel is taking a break--she's stepping down as executive director of the Grassroots Collaborative. She talks about the struggles to try and force Chicago mayors to do the right thing. The differences between Daley, Rahm & Lightfoot. And why she remains optimistic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson announces he’s running for mayor—will confused MAGA voters line up to support him? Ben riffs. Historian Sean Dinces, author of Bulls Market, talks about Chicago’s history of giving handouts to sports franchises. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Artist & radio show host Damien Perdue has been studying cults & conspiracy theories for years. He takes the deep dive on QAnon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The British Prime Minister steps down. Ben apologizes for riffing on it. And Micah Uetricht, editor/writer for Jacobian, manages to defend the New York Times. Is Ben unfair to the Times? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times columnist Rummana Hussain talks capitalism. Specifically, Twitter employees getting fired because Elon Musk needs to use their salaries to pay back the money he borrowed to buy the company. Which he paid too much for. Crazy… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.