The Ben Joravsky Show

The Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates have a debate, arguing who loves Donald Trump the most. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson returns to talk about the shootings in Buffalo and white replacement theory, Things are getting scary when MAGA candidates throughout the nation are more MAGA than Trump. Also, why Madison Cawthorn lost.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's May 3rd, the first Tuesday of the month, which means...Ben & Maya Dukmasova are at The Hideout for First Tuesday. Their guests? Aldermen Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and Rod Sawyer. The topic? The ward map. Which version is better--Rod's or Carlos. Well, it's a little more complicated than that. But everything will be explained so you'll be enlightened when you have to vote on the map referendum on June 28. Enjoy the show...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot imposes a curfew for minors at Millennium Park. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova returns to talk next First Tuesdays show. June 7 at 6 pm. And ward map. And Abdelnasser Rashid, candidate for state rep., talks about his race against incumbent Mike Zalewski. What's it like running against what's left of the Madigan Machine. Why he'd vote for the abolition of parental notification for minors getting an abortion. Criminal justice. And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Poet-novelist-translator, Achy Obejas returns to pay tribute to Susan Nussbaum, the activist and actor who recently died. Then the conversation turns to reproductive rights. As Susan no doubt would want it to.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editorial editorialist/columnist Rummana Hussain talks Roe. A personal view of what's at stake. Also, a shout out to Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, James Hong and Everything Everywhere All At Once. And a word or two about Zs in a movie theater. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With the Supremes set to take this country back to the Middle Ages on women's rights, MAGA looks to change the subject by searching for a scapegoat, blaming the leak on Ketanji Brown Jackson. Who's not even on the court yet. Pretty pathetic, even for MAGA. Ben riffs. And congressional candidate and state rep Delia Ramirez gets personal as she explains why reproductive rights is a fight that must be won.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Davis clarifies his position on red light cameras. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson returns to say "finally"! As in President Biden is finally getting around to telling the truth about MAGA. Which is...they're insane. Also, Benji Hall returns. You know him as Benji the Bookie--astute bball analyst. Here he puts on his political analyst hat as he describes his two-week experiment with Truth--Trump's version of Twitter. Yes, Benji downloaded the app. Let's just say if there's any truth on Truth, it's accidental. Benji did some trolling as "John Galt". For instance, on Mother's Day, Donnie Jr, aka Baby Trump, "truthed": "Happy birthing person's day." To which Benji responded: "It must be a sad day to remember all the aborted sibblings you never met." Which I believe the Truthers took down. So much for free speech.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The City Council actually does something for ordinary Chicagoans--giving away gasoline. The world goes nuts. Ben riffs. And Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer, for In These Times, returns to talk politics. Specifically, President Biden's failure to deliver on promises regarding student debt and union organizing. The theme of the day--on everything from gas giveaways to union organizing, why is it that Democrats so afraid of their own shadows?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The leftist firefighter, Sam Holloway, returns to talk about the C word--capitalism. He starts with banks lending billions to Elon Musk to throw out $44 or so billion dollars on Twitter and goes from there. "The government loves to give money to rich people." And "billionaires are like crazy hoarders. Only more dangerous." And so forth...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben's got three topics on his mind and political scientist David Faris riffs on them all...Kick Joe Manchin out of the Democratic Party. The anti-abortion lunatics in Ohio telling teenage girls to look on the bright side of getting raped. And the political implications of Elon Musk buying Twitter. To quote David..."give extremists power, and they do extremist things.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Walter Burnett says it's either casino revenues or property tax hikes. Ben points out that the casino will raise your property taxes. Cause someone has to pay to build it. Guess who that someone will be. And Teresa Cordova, director of the Great Cities Institute at the University of Illinois Chicago, discusses economic development in Chicago. Especially in relation to poor communities, like North Lawndale and Englewood. Also, she explains cost benefit analysis. Ben bets there will be none of that in regards to a casino. Pun intended, sort of.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"So Scared." Have you noticed everyone's trying to scare you these days? Ben riffs. And Keith Kelleher returns to talk unions. Specifically, all the hurdles workers have to clear to form one. As the employees at Starbucks & Amazon are learning the hard way The rules are stacked against the employees and in favor of the employers. And the employer rarely concedes even when he's lost. Keith knows a thing or two about these hurdles as he helped organize several unions, including SEIU here in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bulls stun the Bucks last night thanks to Mr. DeRozan. Ben riffs. And then appeals, again, to Len Goodman to save the Reader by transferring control to the not-for-profit. Micah Uetricht returns. Yes, the editor/writer for Jacobin magazine has moved to New York City where he will be the Ben Joravsky show correspondent covering Eric Adams. Well, that's not really why he moved there. But that's what he'll be. Micah talks Chicago parking-meter deal. He's lead plaintiff in a lawsuit to undo that horrendous deal. Then a few words about Peter Thiel and other billionaire "libertarians". 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.

Rummana Hussain, Sun-Times editorial writer/columnist, returns to explain the inexplicable. In this case, why are so many people so happy about taking off their masks on a plane? Also, a word or two about interviewing Kim Foxx. Yes, a Jussie question was asked. And guess who asked it? Finally, the great debate. Who's more stuck up--Reader or Sun-Times staffers. Ben explains his theory about reporters who walk with their heads down as though they're lost in thought.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-host of the At Bat podcast, Saul Rodriguez makes his debut to talk Chicago baseball. Or to talk Ben off the ledge. Lousy starts by the White Sox & Cubs have convinced Ben that it will be another year of futility. Not so, says Saul. The future is better than it seems. And so begins another...Great Debate! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reader theater & dance editor Kerry Reid tells the strange story of the "impasse" that might kill Chicago's oldest alternative newspaper. It has to do with Leonard Goodman, the man who wanted to save the Reader, and now will kill it unless he turns the title over to a not-for-profit board. No Reader in Chicago? It's becoming more likely by the day. And then a word or two about King James & Good Night, Oscar. Editor's note: Since this interview took place, Leonard Goodman agreed to turn the title over to the not-for-profit. The lawyers are working out the details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Freelance writer Maya Goldberg-Safir makes her Joravsky Show debut, talking about Brittney Griner, the world's greatest women basketball player, who's been locked in a prison in Russia for several months. Why won't Putin let her out? Why is there so much silence about her imprisonment? And what can we do? After you listen to the story, check out Maya's recently published article on Griner in Jacobin magazine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aldermen blame everything bad on Ed Burke. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson talks Trump. Particularly, a New York judge's ruling that Trump be held in contempt and fined $10,000 a day. Ben's convinced Trump won't pay the money. Monroe disagrees. And then LeAlan Jones--Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate--returns to talk money. Particularly Elon Musk's $46 billion acquisition of Twitter. He talked bankers into lending him billions of dollars. Apparently, bankers are suckers for the sales pitch of slick-talking rich guys. Speaking of Trump... 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 surveys the political scene, which at the moment is bleak for Democrats. As David explains, the time has come for Democrats to stand up for their core convictions and stop apologizing for the values they believe in. Also, a word or two about the worship of wealth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Word breaks that the Reader will live. Ben riffs. And Maya Dukmasova returns to talk ward maps, Reader & Twitter.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

They hold a public meeting for the casino. Guess what? Nobody wants it in their backyard. Ben riffs. And 15h ward Alderman Raymond Lopez returns to talk about why he's running for mayor. Why he goes on Tucker Carlson's show. Why he's against TIFs. And much more, including policing, casinos and an explanation of how the city council works. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

August 23, 2019. Yes. Pritzker signed another bill. A legal marijuana update. Grading Lori Lightfoot's first 100 days and MORE from the Chicago Reader and their "Love Letter to Chicago Journalism" Streaming Telethon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stacy Davis Gates--president of Chicago Teachers Union--returns to talk all things politics. Specifically, the Republican assault on Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The bizarre case of Richard Irvin. And Brittney Griner, locked in Putin's prison. And a word or two in defense of Isiah Thomas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The great Estelle Harris died. She played George Costanza's mother in Seinfeld. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--from Inside Chicago Government--returns to review the last few meetings. Casinos. Rules. Mayoral control. It's hard not to be cynical in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist and podcast host Sameena Mustafa returns to discuss one of her latest projects--a study of political candidates who are women of color. Or, more to the point, the violence and anger they face from the left as well as MAGA. The question is--why are men threatened by women in power? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yesterday, Ben appealed to Len Goodman to do what he had to do to save the Reader. That appeal didn't work. So Ben tries again. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk masks, Trump judges, MAGA & Putin and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Willie Wilson announces he's running for mayor. But he won't say if he voted for Trump. Ben riffs. And political strategist Delmarie Cobb makes her long-awaited return to talk all things politics. Including, why she wants people to vote for David Moore. And how Republicans show their contempt for Black voters. And her appreciation for Senator Cory Booker. And how Republicans spin the media. And why the media should know better. And why she's so proud of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. And memories of Harold Washington on the 100th anniversary of his birth.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben goes to California and gets a massage. What a story. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa--the dean of the council Democratic Progressives--returns and he's got a lot on his mind. Ward Map. Casino. Danny Solis. Elon Musk. Mayor's race. And who's got the biggest gas-giveaway card--Mayor Lightfoot or Willie Wilson?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On April 5, 2022, Ben & Maya returned to The Hideout for First Tuesdays. On topic--former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, the good, the bad & the ugly. Out guests were two people who know a lot about the man people call Mad Dog. Political strategist Alaina Hampton was a campaign aide in the once mighty Madigan political operation. She left after Madigan basically looked the other at her allegations of sexual harrassment by another campaign aide. WBEZ reporter Dave McKinney has been covering the ongoing Commonwealth Edison scandal that led to Madigan's indictment. 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 returns and we start talking about Jeff Cramer's breakdown over the successful unionizing effort at the Amazon warehouse in New York and wind up talking capitalism. Specifically, why Jeff Bezos and his peers hate unions so much. And then the conversation moves to Biden & the child tax credit. Dem can be their own worse enemies.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 riff on a week's worth of news. Pritzker & Bailey & Irvin & Poor Jesse Sullivan. And then Dr. Dr makes the case for Willie Wilson. Ben is skeptical--to put it mildly. 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.

Podcaster Marc Sims returns and the conversation turns to Willie Wilson and Richard Irvin. Will Chicago voters elect Willie Wilson as their mayor because he give out free gas? As for Richard Irvin, he's the more or less centrist-like mayor of Aurora who's recast himself as a MAGA Republican to beat JB Pritker. In his latest commercial, Irvin says, "there's nothing the left fears more than Republicans who look me and think like us." What is he telling us? Marc & Ben riff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Friday it will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of Harold Washington--the greatest mayor in the history of Chicago. To mark the event, there have been celebrations all over town. Ben riffs. And then Monroe Anderson and Josie Childs join the show to talk all things Harold Washington. Josie Childs is a longtime friend and aide to the late mayor. So she has some great stories to tell. Including a Washington secret. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Host of The Fight Podcast, Sergio Vicente returns to discuss Colby Covington, the Trump-loving, MAGA flag-waving UFC fighter, who's trying to make a name for himself by baiting LeBron James with trash talk. Sergio explains what Covington's up to and why he's doing it and whether it works. Then the conversation turns to Will Smith & Chris Rocks at the Oscars. You don't want to miss the conversation...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anat Shenker-Osorio is a left-of-center political strategist who has spent many years studying messaging. That is--why certain messages resonate and others don't. Not surprising, she's determined that the right is more effective at the left at message. Why is that? She explains--with examples. She's the principal of ASO Communications and hosts her own podcast, Words to Win By.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 returns to talk Will Smith, Chris Rock, toxic masculinity and Tucker Carlson and then one thing leads to another and she explains the destructive side effects of the myth of the model minorities. And a word or two about Chris Rock's white producers joke at the Oscars. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's been busy week. Ben & Dr. D jump right in. Starting with...the mayor's favorite newspaper. Well, it's not a local one. Moving on to Richard Irvin's delicate dance with MAGA. Campaign commercials from Alexi. Too bad he's not running for best basketball player in Illinois politics. Casino games. And Alderman Lopez announces he's running for mayor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why is it that when Chicago does the right thing, it's generally for the wrong reason? Ben ponders that question. And then Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor makes her long-awaited return. And not a moment too soon. The conversation moves from Republicans attitude toward Black women to the war on crime to Arne Duncan to Lori Lightfoot to what people in Aurora say about Richard Irvin to a whole bunch of other things.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's Monroe Anderson's birthday. Ben seeks some words to live by. And then another Chicago legend, Richard Steele--aka, The Real Deal--comes on to offer his advice. Then the topic turns to race. And Clarence & Ginni Thomas. And the upcoming mayoral election. And, wait, more birthday advice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laurie Glenn & Juanita Irizarry return. And after a word or two or three about MAGA and the Brown-Jackson hearings, the talk turns to casinos. As in--it's crazy that Chicago would rely so much on the proceeds from a vice. Also, a word or two about how you must be doing something right if the Tribune's editorial squad criticizes you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WBEZ reporter Linda Lutton--one of Chicago's great reporters--will be taking a year off. She stopped by to talk about some of her favorite stories. Or, at least, some of Ben's favorite Linda Lutton stories. Including her masterpiece about the "vandals" who put an extra s on the signs, thus turning Douglas into Douglass Park. Classic Chicago stories.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 returns and she's got a lot on her mind. The Ricketts family & Islamaphobia. Senator Ted Cruz and his racist behavior. Ketanje Brown Jackson staying cool under pressure. Why is it "okay" for white men to counter punch, but Black women have to hold their fire? And more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Breaking news starts the show! Amazon warehouse workers in State Island vote union. Ben riffs. Then Michael Gerardi--Chicago's Neil Young--returns to play one of his latest songs: "Look Me In The Eye". Then it's time to riff on a week's worth of news, including the Democratic attack commercial on Richard Irvin and Irvin's MAGA response. And then Mayor Lightfoot steals a page from Willie Wilson on gas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want to know why people in Chicago are so cynical about politics? Maybe it's because their leaders say things everybody knows can't be true. Speaking of which...Ben riffs on Willie Wilson, Mayor Lightfoot and the rising cost of gasoline. And then election lawyer Adolfo Mondragon and Alderman Sigcho-Lopez talk about their "unsuccessful" against Danny Solis. It may not be so unsuccessful after all. Also, Sigcho-Lopez on the casino.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, deliver his MAGA-marching orders to Nick Sposato and other northwest side alderman--oppose Rob Martwick or else! Ben riffs. Also, Miles Kampf-Lassin, editor/writer from In These Times, returns to talk: Ukraine, War Criminals, Paul Volcker policies, Joe Manchin, Sarah Bloom Raskin and more. The man knows his stuff. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Republicans double down on their attempt to win in November by being tough on crime. Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson and Professor Dick Simpson talk about the fragile state of democracy locally and nationally. The consensus--Chicago's in better shape than the rest of the country.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Rob Martwick has achieved the impossible. He's clearly hated by two people who hate each other--John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police--and Mayor Lightfoot. How did such an easy-going guy achieve this distinction? Apparently, by daring to disagree with Catanzara & Lightfoot on separate matters. Martwick explains.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock and Ben riffs. Just when you thought you've seen it all. And LeRoy Gordon, aka Roy Flash Gordon, retuns to give it all some perspective. The man's a former professional wrestler, so he knows a thing or two about the fine line between dramatic trash talk and violence. And then ace attorney Jim Coogan returns to talk about the sins of Donald Trump and his confederates. A federal judge says Trump's attempt to subvert the 2020 presidential election is "likely criminal". Jim explains the context, where the case against Trump is going and Trump's attempt to divert attention by suing Hillary Clinton. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

School activists Cassie Creswell & Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth tell the only-in-Chicago story of Jones High School, located in the south Loop, who has a principal who allegedly lives in Missouri. What, CPS, you couldn't find someone closer to home? They also consider the age-old questions: Why do the leaders of Chicago public schools dislike parent, hate democracy, and adore powerful mayors. Also, a word or two or three about efforts in Mississippi to fire a teacher for introducing his students to the classic book, I Need A New Butt.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris returns to break down the latest on Ukraine, Putin, Biden, MAGA, NATO, China, COVID & more. As he & Ben come face to face with the depressing realization--there's always money for war. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.