The Ben Joravsky Show

Ben knows a scam when he sees one. With longtime Secretary of State Jesse White not seeking re-election, who are the politicians looking to take his seat??See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben riffs on the hypocrisy of Democrats who pretend they don't have to follow Governor Pritzker's COVID rules (that would be you, Alderman Tunney). Also, Darren "DB" Bailey pretty much announces he's running as MAGA's candidate for governor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival, Sergio Mims talks about the hypocrisy of Alderman Tom Tunney, the Black vote, why so many Americans don't wear masks and urges everyone to watch His House.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 a hell of a couple of months for Rudy Guliani. And Alderman Tom Tunney, who opened his restaurant for indoor dining, gets busted!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lakesia Collins is an American union organizer and politician serving as a Democratic member-elect of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 9th district. The 9th district includes parts of the Near West Side, the Near North Side and North Lawndale in Chicago and YES...she is asked the Madigan question!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It went down Tuesday December 1st LIVE from the hideout and in socially distanced rooms. Ben and Maya talk President elect Biden, the democratic party and Chicago politics with our friend of the democratic centrist persuasion Peter Cunningham and our friend of the democratic socialist persuasion 33rd ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Thursday Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was recently asked if she thinks Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan should step down...and on Friday we still can't figure out her answerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Smith, AOC, Ed Norton & that weird Trump supporter in Michigan. Yes, it’s The Rummana Rundown with Chicago Sun-Times Editor Rummana Hussain.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben talks conveniently “discovered “ Republican ballots. Are schools in Chicago ready to reopen? Edward Vrdolyak is going back to jail, and when will the 14th congressional district race finally end?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Illinois Republican House Republican Jim Durkin unveils his latest plan in his run for Madigan's gig & Illinois downstate republican Senator Darren Bailey said what??See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thirty-third ward Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez explains why she voted no on the city budget. And why she thinks President Elect Joe Biden should keep Mayor Rahm far away from his cabinet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben can't believe who cashed in from the recent PPP loans. Did Mayor Lightfoot place a bet on the 2019 teachers strike? Illinois really likes marijuana. And the mayor's plan to borrow 450 million dollars.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rickey Hendon talks about his role in "City So Real"—why he let Neal Sales Griffen off the mat. And he sings a song or two.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben can't believe the amount of support Donald Trump is still getting. It's the Chicago Mayor vs The Fraternal Order of Police. Journalist Monroe Anderson is back to talk Trump, Trump and Trump!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Find out what happened during last week's city council budget vote! Ben and Dave take the deep dive. Let your geek flag fly!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Question: What's sadder than a MAGA man donating $2.5 million to Trump's defense fund? Answer: that same man suing to get it back. Also--a new Dem jumps aboard the Madigan Bus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian/Actor and dear friend of The Ben Joravsky Show, Pat Whalen, returns to talk about his recent Fan Duel commercial.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

2019 Chicago mayoral candidate Neal Sales-Griffin talks about his run for mayor and weighs in the Steve James documentary "City So Real". Now on Hulu.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor voted no on the Mayor's budget on Tuesday. Hear her thoughts on why and more...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A theatrical review of Mayor Lightfoot’s epic performance in her latest PSA. Plus, A tribute to former New York Mayor David Dinkins, who died this week. Even Republicans have to admit he was far classier than his successor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monroe gets in a few Thanksgiving digs at Trump—the biggest turkey in all the land.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Birthday Rahm & Biden Calls Lightfoot!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Trump finally ready to concede? The latest on our Illinois Governor and Illinois' Thanksgiving plans. Mayor Lightfoot's budget passes the city councilSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In These Times writer Miles Kampf-Lassin on the challenges of being a progressive in Chicago, winning Georgia and why Joe Biden should think twice before putting Rahm in the cabinet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Back Half! The Budget Breakdown & Go Cubs?? Who voted how and why. And speaking of whys--why would Mayor Lightfoot give a break to Ricketts & the Cubs?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Meet Karen Hawkins, podcaster, writer, Reader co-publisher and Ben's editor. Among other things. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedian and talk show host Scott Duff wants to know--when will this madness end? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Wednesday's NBA draft, Ben, Benji, Miles and Dennis talk the future of the Chicago Bulls and the National Basketball AssociationSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some democratic unity & Mayor Rahm the writer returnsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Rummana Rundown with Rummana HussainSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben can't help but mention the freak show that has become of Rudy Guliani. Governor Pritzker is blunt about Mike Madigan. The newest passengers on the bus to roll over the democratic speaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The breaking news is that Republicans denounce Dems to denounce Michael Madigan. Which prompts Ben to denoucne Republicans for being the phonies that they are. Lot's of denunciations going on!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Reader writer Maya Dukmasova returns to talk about Mayor Lightfoot's strategy of protecting the downtown by cutting it off from the rest of the city. Also, the great AOC debate. And Maya's thoughts on City So Real.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben talks the mayhem in Michigan. Mayor Lightfoot's road to 26...but technically 25 votes continues. We welcome the newest members on the bus waiting to roll over Madigan after the latest indictments surrounding house Speaker. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trumpers in Chicago & Pritzker's latest problem.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We kick off our City So Real series with--who else?--Steve James, the director of the series now playing on Hulu. Steve talks about the challenges of making the movie. And offers his top five Steve James movies. Spoiler alert--Hoop Dreams is not number #1.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary Chicago journalist Monroe Anderson returns to talk--what else?--Trump, Trump, Trump & Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben goes heavy duty on Mayor Rudy. Mayor Lightfoot's budget is almost a done deal - Find out what her city council has to say about it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Ben Joravsky Show's Back Half: Daley's Great Grandkid & Who's on the Madigan Bus??See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Senator Martwick returns to talk about everything from why the legislature can't meet virtually to the future of Michael J. Madigan. Also, Fair Tax and elected school board.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Joravsky compares Donald Trump fans to Beatles fans (please keep listening Beatles fans). Mayor Lightfoot continues to work on getting her budget passed. And what if Tammy Duckworth gets appointed to Joe Biden's cabinet?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

State Representative Delia Ramirez on the tough choices Democrats face now that the Fair Tax has been defeated. Also, a tough question or two about Michael Joseph Madigan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Longtime political strategist Peter Cunningham returns to talk about what the Dems should do to win elections and pass progressive legislation. One recommendation--stop bickering.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A political strategist, Jason Lee has been the political director for United Working Families and has worked for campaigns across the country, including Texas, his home state. So he knows a thing or two about politics. Among the topics covered in this interview are polling, building coalitions, winning the Georiga senate races, and turning Texas blue. Take it away, Jason...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben has words for Geraldo Rivera after his latest Trump plea. Governor Pritzker's pandemic holiday campaign. Mayor Lightfoot said WHAT to her fellow aldermen? It's another Rummana Rundown with Sun Times editor Rummana HussainSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben weighs in on the election fallout in Michigan. The veto session has been cancelled and IL republicans are now blaming Madigan. Hear the new PSA from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Loreen Targos of the EPA returns to talk President elect Biden, soon to be former President Donald Trump and progressive politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President of the Marijuana Hall of Fame and Marine vet Vincent E. Norment returns to talk about everything from Veterans Day to the presidential election to Tommy Chong.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben wonders if Trump will concede. Underwood is still winning. Meet Justice Kilbride's new replacement. Illinois' vetoed veto session. Legendary Chicago journalist Monroe Anderson returns for an election reflection.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amisha Patel, executive director of the Grassroots Collaborative, joins Dr. Aurturo Carillo, of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, to discuss the Fair Tax, Biden/Trump & the upcoming effort to expand mental health services in Chicago.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.