The Ben Joravsky Show

Alderwoman Jeanette “JT” Taylor on the need to protect working-class & low-income Chicagoans from gentrification, who she wants Joe Biden to choose as a running mate and other things.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 talks about the presidential race, Republican strategies and his new book—The Kids Are All Left.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tribune columnist Eric Zorn weighs in on police, Darren Bailey, Amy Jacobson and Joey B.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 different challenges Mayor Lightfoot And Governor Pritzker face. Plus, updates on MAGA hat resisters. And Rummana riffs on journalists, religion, hairdressers and 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.

Ben tried to find something good to say about Republicans. And Rose Colacio talks about the fight to pass vote-by-mail legislation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Long time broadcaster Tom Shaer, who covered Jordan’s career from start to finish, joins Ben for the deep/geek dive on all things Bulls.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 heavyweight showdown between Michael “Mad Dog” Madigan and Darren “Big Boy” Bailey. Also, Mayor Lightfoot & the lakefront. And Bob Daiber weighs in from downstate Madison County.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Podcast host Marc Sims returns to discuss being broke during the pandemic, white people and the need to beat Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben poses the question: Are MAGA hat wearers standing up for heartfelt principles or are they playing political games? Maya returns to talk crime & punishment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political strategists and activists Laurie Glenn and Juanita Irizarry return to compare and contrast the Republican and Democratic responses to the pandemic. Also, their review of Mayor Lightfoot’s first year in office.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 writer Miles Kampf-Lassin on Nancy Pelosi’s latest relief bill and other issues of the day.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 from the Chicago Teachers Union on the state of progressive politics in the middle of a pandemic.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben poses the question: What if all the scientists are wrong and the happy Cheeseheads cavorting cheek-to-cheek in Wisconsin taverns are right about the pandemic? Also, Mayor Lightfoot’s grade for year one. And Rummana’s take on Trumps’s exchanges with White House reporters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How many lives will the Republicans sacrifice to save Trump’s re-election? Also, Norbert Pickett and Lisa Soloman discusses minority “front” operations in the competition for cannabis dispensary licenses.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben pays tribute to the late Albert Dickens and then laces into Bruce Rauner. Plus, a discussion on downstaters in Madison County—Dr. D’s neck of the woods—resisting Pritzker. Also, Monroe on—you guessed it—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.

Legendary political activist & strategist Heather Booth talks about what it’s going to take to beat Trump. And Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth returns to talk Indivisible & the Reader.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 Nancy Pelosi as Machine Democrat and Bill Maher: How can a guy so smart be so stupid? Also, Leor Galil, Reader writer, on his greatest writing hits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly Cassidy—one of Illinois’ leading progressives—returns to discuss anti-Pritzker Republicans, Tara Reade and E. Jean Carroll and all things legalized cannabis. And Leni gives Reader and Indivisible updates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Radio host and environmentalist Mike Nowak talks about Trump’s assault on the environment.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 writer Miles Kampf-Lassin returns to talk about how the federal program intended to shelter the poor and middle-class from the ravages of the pandemic is actually making the rich even richer.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 Spike Lee’s tribute to New York and wonders what such a tribute to Chicago would look like. And Rummana Hussain—Sun-Times editor/columnist—on reopening the state, Tara Reade & E. Jean Carroll and Mindy Kaling.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates talks about the legacy of Michael Jordan & the 90s Bulls—political legacy included.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben breaks down the difference between Republicans and Democrats when it comes to elections. Hint: Republicans play to win. And Monroe Anderson returns to talk 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.

Alderman La Spata talks about Mayor Lightfoot, TIF reform, and confronting the Pritzker-hating MAGA hat protesters.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben reviews the weekend news and speculates that the MAGA-hat-wearing-let’s-get-back-to-work protestors never worked in the first place. Also, Maya Dukmasova on conditions at the county jail and other things.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jacobin magazine writer Micah Uetricht talks about his new book, Bigger Than Bernie, and all things politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Richard Wallace—activist and rapper—talks about the challenges in making sure that the booming cannabis industry is opened to Black people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Political activist Sameena Mustafa talks about the struggles of Joe Biden and his campaign.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben analyzes Joe Biden’s interview on the Morning Joe Show about Tara Reade’s accusation that he sexually assaulted her in 1993. And Rummana Hussain—Sun-Times editor/columnist—returns to talk about all the news of the week.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 latest stay at home order lawsuits against Illinois Governor Pritzker, Hillary Clinton endorses Joe Biden and union man Ed Maher talks labor, Trump and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve James—director of Hoop Dreams—talks basketball, Isiah Thomas, and, of course, Jordan & the Bulls.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 COVID mixed messages, including efforts by Illinois Republicans to turn Governor Pritzker’s stay-at-home regulations against him. Also, Dani Brzozowski, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 16th, on running as a proud progressive in a district that went for Trump.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

City Hall reporter David Glowacz and Ben take the deep dive on Mayor Lightfoot’s successful effort to win control of COVID-related expenditures.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben breaks down Trump’s handouts for only rich people and explains why Trump thought it was a good idea to take Lysol as medicine. Also, political strategist Peter Cunningham talks about Biden‘s challenge, 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.

It’s Trump, Trump, Trump—Biden—and more Trump as Monroe Anderson, the legendary Chicago journalist, tells it like it is about the worst president this country has ever seen. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miles Kampf-Lassin—In These Times journalist—offers a leftist take on Biden, Trump and the recovery legislation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Attorney Jim Coogan returns for another segment of How Is This Legal? A question we apply to, among other things, the Supreme Court possibly allowing Donald Trump to hide his tax returns. Also, what is Brett Kavanaugh up to?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben compares and contrasts COVID briefings by Donald Trump and Governor Pritzker. Also, Sergio Mims, co-founder of the Black Harvest film festival, returns to talk politics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben wrestles with the great question: Should the council grant Mayor Lightfoot even more contract and budget power than she already has? And young Ken Davis returns to discuss the abysmal shape of the environment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kevin Blackistone—Washington Post columnist and panelist on Around The Horn—talks about Michael Jordan’s rookie season. No one imagined that Jordan would wind up being the subject of a ten-part ESPN series, especially Kevin & Ben, who were watching Jordan from the nose bleed seats at the old Chicago Stadium.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Joe Biden Kool-Aid Wednesday" Jill Wine-Banks & Leni Manaa-HoppenworthSee 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 talks about the curious contrast in attitudes towards pets and people in the pandemic. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

Dr. Gronemeyer, our favorite downstate physician, makes a return visit to discuss the impact of the pandemic in her community and to make the case for single payer health care.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington Post & Reader writer Mark Guarino on the life and songs of the great John Prine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Ben riffs on Operation Gridlock protestors in Michigan, who want to reopen the economy from the relative safety of their cars. Rose Colacino & Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth of indivisible Illinois talk the Democratic win in Wisconsin.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Monroe riffs on Trump’s “clown show” briefings, and recounts his Facebook battles with the best & brightest minds in the MAGA hat movement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.