The Ben Joravsky Show

Dan Mihalopoulos returns to explain Madigangate! The time utility big wigs com-ed admitted to arranging jobs, contracts and payoffs to the associates of democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Joseph MadiganSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We go LIVE from the Thompson Center for Governor Pritzker's COVID-19 update! Also, what do 3 Chicago Alderpeople have in store for the Mayor after the release of the AnJennette Taylor video??See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben reminds us of a fact we all know...lefties get no love in politics! Mayor Lightfoot admits she was aware of the CPD body cam video of Anjenette Young. Will the President of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police be fired??See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rumored Secretary of State candidate Alexi Giannoulias put out a video criticizing Washington for not getting stimulus checks to struggling families and businesses.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Sigcho-Lopez talks about his heated city council exchange with Mayor Lightfoot on the police raid on Anjanette Young's house. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben takes jabs at Donald Trump Jr. Mayor Lightfoot apologizes after the release of the Anjanette Young video and a Chicago alderman pushes back. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An early IL gubernatorial challenger trolls online and Governor Pritzker's appearance in a social media adSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the final episode of our series on City So Real, radio show host Maze Jackson explains why he's the star of the movie. On a more serious level, Maze explains the similarities between how Rahm Emanuel handled the release of the Laquan McDonald video and how Mayor Lightfoot handled the release of the Anjanette Young video. It seems as though Chicago's mayors are determined to never learn from the past. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben congratulates Joe Biden's transportation pick! The latest on the CPD footage of Ms. Anjanette Young. The mayor's city council meeting and Governor Pritzker talks budget cuts! Legendary Chicago journalist Monroe Anderson returns to talk Trump, Trump and TrumpSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot accuses two city council members of taking advantage of--horrors--"aldermanic prerogative"! And, the Michael Joseph Madigan Show--a political theater staged by Illinois Republicans--has an early curtain fall.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reader writer Maya Dukmasova returns to talk about the shocking case of how police treated Anjanette Young. Also, "computergate"--Chalkbeat's scoop on how one Mayor Lightfoot donor got a no-bid, $1.6 million contract to sell computers to the Chicago Public Schools. And not one word about Joseph Epstein's obsession with not calling Jill Biden Dr. Jill Biden.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben gets Trump’s latest fundraising email. And then he analyzes the latest “offer” from CPS to the teachers union.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In part four of our five-part series on City So Real, Katie & Tim Tuton--co-owners of the Hideout--talk about TIFs, Lincoln Yards and trying to run a music club in the pandemic. And, of course, they also talk about 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.

State Rep. Andrade and David Feller (aka, The Northwest-Side-Political-Know-It-Alls) passionately defend Speaker Michael Joseph Madigan. Aka-the Maddog! They also try to shame other Democrats into doing the same. Are you convinced? Gotta 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.

David Faris wrote the manual--It's Time to Fight Dirty--on what Democrats should do to stop being the Republican patsies. Now he explains why the Dems won the White House but not the Senate. And what they have to do to win those senate seats in Georgia. Pay attention, Dems!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Six Democratic legislators write a "confidential" letter supporting Speaker Michael Madigan. Ben takes it from there...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alderman Tunney and his Cinnamon Roll Speakeasy, MAGA tries to vacate the votes of Black people, and renaming LSD for DuSable are just some of the topics discussed by Rummana Hussain, editor/columnist of the Chicago Sun-Times.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Joravsky predicted something correctly?? The Chicago Teachers Union release their list of demands should they go back to the classrooms during the pandemic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Democratic state Rep. Will Guzzardi, the pride and joy of Hipster Land, explains why the Fair Tax lost. Then Ben weighs in...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vincent E. Norment, owner of the Marijuana Hall of Fame, speaks his mind on everything from the Bears prejudice against Black quarterbacks to the racial inequities in the cannabis trade to Vince Vaughn wimping out and not taking a stand against racism. Also, Ben & Vincent continue their great Ice Cube debate.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben tries again to step into the mind of a Donald Trump supporter. The Chicago Mayor is disappointed with Alderman Tom Tunney as another episode of "A Mayor and Her Aldermen" begins. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A COVID-19 vaccine is on it's way to Chicago and Mayor Lightfoot announces the city's distribution game planSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Somehow or other Congresswoman-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Qanon believer, feels qualified to weigh in on whether Raphael Warnock is qualified to be a U.S. Senator. Monroe Anderson explains...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.