The Ben Joravsky Show

COVID cases rising but Lollapalooza is still in. Ben discusses. Rod Wilson, executive director of the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, talks about elected school board politics in Chicago. And Monroe Anderson returns with breaking news about Nancy Pelosi booting Jim Jordan off the January 6 congressional investigation committee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

JB Pritzker announces he’s running for re-election. Ben ponders the frightening alternative. Dian Palmer, president of SEIU Local 73, and negotiator Larry Alcoff, on negotiating with Toni Preckwinkle. Also, political strategist Jason Lee on the Republican onslaught in Texas. And the fallacies of using pre-trial detentions to fight crime.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Maria Hadden--the pride and joy of Rogers Park--makes a long awaited return to act as a play-by-play analyst, breaking down the parliamentary maneuvers employed by Mayor Lightfoot over the last few council meetings to make sure she gets what she wants. Is the mayor playing within council rules? No. Is she being inconsistent in her rulings? Yes. Listen and learn about your democracy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You'll be able to impress your friends with your knowledge of hoops after listening to Dan Mihalopoulos, passionate fan of all things Giannis; Michael Malcolm, astute student of all things basketball; and Benji "the Bookie", oddsmaker extraordinare, talk bball. Specifically, the NBA finals. Who's going to win and why? Also Benny J, the Bookieworm, is in on the discussion. Trying desperately to steer the conversation to his beloved Bulls.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 10, 2019: Another Rahm farewell party and Ben can't stand it! More Illinois conservative pushback on recreational marijuana legalization, Election Lawyer Adolfo Mondragon returns to talk Ed Burke, Cubs vs White Sox and more AND the political power couple Kitty Kurth and Kevin Lampe discuss the 2020 POTUS election and Grandpa Joe. Download Friday's Ben Joravsky Show!!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 the week's news. And, oh, what a week it was. Pritzker meets Biden as does Police Chief Brown. And some insane MAGA ravings about crime in Chicago. And the return of Mayor Pete. 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.

News breaks that Senator Charles Schumer has proposed legislation to legalize marijuana across the country. Ben is skeptical that it will ever pass. Lisa Solomon from the Reader updates us on new social equity legislation. And podcaster Marc Sims returns to talk about race, crime and race and crime. And more…See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Steele goes where no guest has gone—Ben’s attic. As he and Ben share the mic, riffing on the top stories of the week. Such as—Alderwoman Taylor and Mayor Lightfoot; Eric Adams; voting laws, players choking and 1971.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maureen Dowd’s interview with Bernie Sanders is priceless in so many ways. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin of In These Times talks national politics. And state Rep. La Shawn Ford explains why Eric Adams is the right man at the right time to fight crime. Also, Rep. Ford says Ben is wrong about the Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategist Delmarie Cobb returns to talk Chicago and national politics. Asking among other things--what is it about Chicago that leads us to elect so many bossy mayors? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With baseball taking an All-Star break, we brought out Jim Coogan & Miles Porter--a couple of allstar baseball experts--to talk baseball. Specifically, Cubs and Sox. Are the Sox doing so well because of in spite of manager Tony La Russa. And are the Cubs really as bad as they have been for the last few weeks and, if so, who should they trade? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 8, 2019:Democrats and Republicans battle over Barr, Lori Lightfoot goes to Washington, Host of Humanity in the Headlines Atiba Buchanan unpacks the latest Trump news, Bhaskar Sunkara on Democratic Socialism and it's the Benny J Show debut of Host of "Hitting Left" Mike Klonsky. Download Wednesday's Ben Joravsky Show!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr. D riff on a week’s worth of news. President Biden comes to Illinois, Republicans bash Governor Pritzker with toilets, Marjorie Taylor Green stumps for Mary Miller and Mayor Lightfoot flies to San Fran. 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.

President Biden tries to win over MAGA by giving them money. Ben riffs. And Dave Glowacz--publisher of Inside Chicago Government--returns for another fun-filled breakdown of your Chicago City Council in action. Dave has clips from recent meetings in which aldermen and Mayor Lightfoot dueled, using arcane parliamentary maneuvers as weapons. Listen and learn so you can impress your friends with your mastery of Roberts Rules of Order.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 celebrity boxing, the psychology of choking, culture vultures and Joe Biden.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Biden visits MAGA land. Ben discusses. And Monroe Anderson & Senator Robert Peters take the deep dive on Nicholsgate, elected school board, Mayoral Bullies, Eric Adams and whether authenticity matters more than ideology in politics. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sun-Times breaks the story about condoms being distributed to grade schoolers. Parents and grandparents lose their minds. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks about her new gig and the politics of policing. And Vincent E. Norment--owner of the Marijuana Hall of Fame--talks about the injustice of banning Sha'Carri Richardson for testing positive for cannabis. 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.

Community activist Jac Charlier says it’s time we reconsider all the old strategies for fighting crime. Because they obviously aren’t working that well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editor columnist Rummana Hussain weighs in the stories of the week. Including--Sha'Carri Richardson, Mayor Lightfoot, Bill Cosby and more...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 it Was: "Lori's Gonna Lori"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It seems as though we’re coping with the same crap we were coping with last year. Ben explains. And Alderwoman Sue Sadlowski-Garza returns to talk about the mayor, the council, General Iron, the nastiness of politics and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the last few years, state Senator Rob Martwick's been one of the leading sponsors of legislation to turn the Chicago school board from mayoral appointed to voter elected. The House and Senate approved a bill to do just that. It now goes to Governor Pritzker to be signed. Will Chicago finally have an elected school board? Martwick talks about where the bill stands, what it took to get here, what needs to be worked out and the continued opposition from Mayor Lightfoot and corporate Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York sets new standards for election incompetence, introducing the concept of dummy ballots. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Bill Cosby and Nina Turner v. James Clybourn. And Jim Coogan joins Monroe for Trump corruption talk.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The papers are filled with stories about crime. And Ben has no answers. Even though he feels compelled to have some answers. And four days after taking the buy out from the Tribune, Eric Zorn interrupts his "retirement" to talk everything from the Tribune to newspapers to Mayor Lightfoot to John Kass to Trump to the Blackhawks sex scandal to other things I just can't remember now. Proving...the man we fondly call "EZ" has still got it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times editor/columnist returns to talk about colorism in movies, bully bosses, In The Heights, the Cubs awful new uniforms and why random hipsters love the Sox.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben moderates a townhall meeting of north side activists with 48th ward Alderman Harry Osterman on the issue of a police oversight board. Or, more specifically: Will one be created in the face of opposition from Mayor Lightfoot? It doesn't look that way. But Osterman reminds optimistic and does his best to avoid saying anything critical of the mayor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot publicly bullies Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor. Even Mayors Daley & Rahm didn’t go that far—publicly. Ben riffs. Then Alderwoman Taylor returns to talk about what happened. And why she wants an apology from the mayor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington Post columnist Kevin Blackistone returns to talk about the effort to save The Chicago Reporter, a publication dedicated to improving race relations. Also, Kevin & Ben riff on the saga of Kwame Brown's fight against trash talking bullies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor goes toe to toe with Mayor Lightfoot. Ben riffs on it. Monroe Anderson & Miles Kampf-Lassin tag team on conversation about voting rights, NYC mayors race, lefty outreach to Black voters and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Obama cautions Dems to take what they can get on voting rights—which is nothing if they follow his advice. Ben riffs. Dennis Kosuth from the nurses union on a pending strike. And Alderman Raymond Lopez returns to talk crime, police oversight and the politics of dealing with Mayor Lightfoot.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 returns to cover all the national news. Manchin, Sinema, AOC and more. Where are we going and what should Democrats do.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 7, 2019: Mitch McConnell, the Mueller Report and Illinois gets closer to recreational marijuana legalization. Chicago Reader Writer Maya Dukmasova and our dear friend Marc Sims returns AND it's all things Trump's legal woes with Ace Attorney Jim Coogan of Dwyer and Coogan. Download Tuesday's Ben Joravsky Show!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 run through the week’s madness. That includes Mayor Lightfoot’s Jack Nicholson imitation, Bears make like Jackie Gleason, Dusable drive gate 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.

Chicago takes a step toward school board democracy and the Sears Tower gets so scared, it jumps into the lake. Ben explains. And Laurie Glenn and Juanita Irizarry return to talk about Dusable Drive, elected school board, the buyouts at the Tribune and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As befits one of the world's smartest analysts of movies, Sergio Mims has an opinion on just about everything film-related. On the heels of last week's show about the best records of `71, Sergio takes the deep dive on the great movies of 1971. From French Connection ("racist") to Clockwork Orange ("ahead of its time") to Shaft ("overrated").See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eric Zorn takes the buyout at the Tribune. Ben takes it from there. Monroe Anderson talks Trump, Putin, and Biden. And Troy LaRaviere, president of the Chicago's Principals Association, talks critical race theory, anti-vaxxers, Eric Adams and collective bargaining rights for principals. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Lightfoot writes an email to staffers that’s straight out of The Shining. Or Pink Floyd. Ben riffs. Maya Dukmasova talks elected school board. And Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa covers all the local issues from Dusable Drive to mayoral mind games. Also, New York City 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.

For the last 20 or so years, Mick Dumke--ace investigative reporter--has been telling anyone who would listen that the best year for popular music was 1971. And now with media outlets picking up on his theme--c'mon, Apple, don't act like you thought it up on your own--Ben convinced Mick to go on the record about the best records. It didn't take much convincing, folks. Ben & Mick geek out with their list. Listen to learn which one gives a shout out to The Carpenters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

April 30, 2019. Bye bye Rosenstein and Biden's speech in Pittsburgh. Bye bye Rauner and our Chicago Reader Colleague Maya Dukmasova returns to talk politics. Ben's Green Party friend and Firefighter Sam Holloway joins us and we welcome Radio Host Doris Davenport. Download Tuesday's Ben Joravsky Show!!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 take the deep dive on the week’s news. Everything from re-opening to Michael J. Madigan to fraudulent Republicans to conniving politicians to everything!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben sort of weighs in on the mayoral race in NewYork City. Miles Porter on baseball & Miles Kampf-Lassin on national politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vice President Harris tells Guatemalan refugees "don't come" to the USA. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Trump. And political strategist Jason Lee returns to talk, among other things, about voter suppression in Texas and what the Democrats can do about it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did Donald Trump wears his pants backwards? Ben breaks down the evidence. And Dave Glowacz returns for another Chicago City Council update from the May meeting. We play clips of the debate and riff on what it's all about. Everything you need to know about what's going on in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

William Bike just wrote a great book called The Forgotten 1970 Cubs. It's about the Cubs team that's no longer forgotten, if for no other reason than William wrote a book about them. Get ready for the deep dive on Leo Durocher, Ernie Banks, Joe Pepitone, and much, much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

June 6, 2019: More 2020 POTUS candidate madness! Ben's thoughts on Lori Lightfoot and the One Central city development deal. Former Sun-Times owner Edwin Eisendrath talks D-Day. President of The Chicago Federation of Labor talks fair work weeks and minimum wage in Illinois and Activist Anne Shaw joins us for a discussion on Asian-American politicians.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/editor Rummana Hussain returns for another rundown. She's got lots to say about Naomi Osaka, the press, bigotry against Muslims & Jews and all sorts of other stuff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Governor Pritzker suggests he may not run for re-election. Chicago voters express their love for Mayor Lightfoot. Illinois Republicans cry like the hypocritical babies that they there are. Ben & Dr. D riff on these and other stories from the week that was.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The state senate takes a teeny-tiny step towards replacing the appointed school board with an elected one and corporate & editorial Chicago loses its collective mind. Ben riffs. Also, Grace Pai on the need to teach Asian-American history to grade schoolers. And Micah Uetricht--Jacobin editor--talks about Democratic Socialism and Chicago politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New York Times prophesized tough times for Democrats in New Mexico. And then Melanie Stansbury mopped the floor with her Republican opponent. Ben riffs on how the Times handled it. Also, Kina Collins talks about running against Congressman Danny K. Davis. She must be doing something right. No sooner had she announced her candidacy, then FOX TV ripped her as a dangerous radical, right up there with AOC. Finally, Josina Morita, candidate for Cook County Commissioner, talks, among other things, about teaching Asian-American history so there's not so much ate against Asian Americans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Democrats all over the country are saying they're tired and burnt out on politics. Poor babies. While Republicans are as fired up as ever. Ben riffs. And WVON talk show host David Seaton returns to talk everything from health care to voter suppression to Naomi Osaka.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.