Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks

Reparations and the Fight Against Historical Discrimination — An Interview with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss Join us as we explore Evanston’s groundbreaking reparations program, the legal challenges it faces, and how it sets a precedent for addressing historical injustices. Mayor Daniel Biss shares insights on city-led reparations, the role of government in repairing past harms, and the broader impl...

Jill Wine-Banks is joined by award winning screenwriter of The Hunger Games, Captain Phillips, Richard Jewel and so much more Billy Ray, Its an engaging interview, Billy discusses his transition from screenwriting to YA novel writing, the environmental themes in his new book 'Burn the Water,' and the importance of storytelling in politics and society. He shares insights on building worlds, emotion...

Jill Wine-Banks is joined by royal author Andrew Lownie to discus the ongoing scandal surrounding the British royal family, particularly focusing on King Charles and Prince Andrew. Lownie reveals that King Charles was warned about Andrew's misconduct and the implications of the Epstein scandal. He explores the potential for King Charles to abdicate due to public pressure and the legal ramification...

Jill Wine-Banks and Rachel Van Landingham discuss the legal implications of Secretary Hegseth's actions against Senator Kelly, focusing on military law, the treatment of retirees, and the ethical considerations surrounding military conduct. They explore the boundaries of lawful orders, the concept of perfidy in warfare, and the broader implications of military actions in non-international conflict...

Jill WIne-Banks & Victor Shi  discuss the significant events of 2025, the evolving landscape of communication across generations, and the challenges faced in politics and media. They explore the impact of climate change, immigration issues, and the role of messaging in engaging younger voters. The discussion also touches on the importance of addressing policies that resonate with the electorat...

Jill Wine-Banks speaks with Alice Peterson, president of Kentucky Heritage Hemp, about the complexities of the hemp industry, including its uses, the importance of regulation, and consumer safety. They discuss the potential dangers of unregulated products, the need for clarity in legislation, and the benefits of hemp for wellness. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by the industry an...

Jill Wine-Banks speaks with Dr. Kamiya Pekka about trauma, healing, and the unique program at Ruth's Place designed to support survivors of sexual assault. They discuss the importance of community, the phases of healing, and the impact of sexual trauma on survivors. Dr. Pekka emphasizes the need for empowerment, the role of public disclosure in healing, and the ongoing support required for survivo...

Jill Wine-Banks and Matt Topic discuss the intricacies of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its implications for transparency in government. They explore the necessity of the Epstein Transparency Act, the challenges surrounding grand jury secrecy, and the efforts to obtain information from the Mueller Report through FOIA requests. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accountability...

Jill Wine-Banks hosts Christie Hefner to discuss the current challenges to the First Amendment in the United States. They explore historical and contemporary assaults on free speech, the role of organizations like FIRE and NewsGuard, and the importance of supporting local journalism. The conversation also touches on the impact of misinformation, the significance of critical thinking skills, and th...

Jill Wine-Banks and her dear friend Susan Sher chat about the complete destruction of the East Wing of the White House. Susan was Michelle Obama’s Chief of Staff. They talk about life there and the emotional and symbolic importance of the East Wing. They also explore how its demolition is a loss not just of a building, but of a vital part of the nation’s heart and identity.

Jill Wine-Banks interviews Kate Andersen Brower, a renowned journalist and author The Residence, about the White House's history, layout, and recent changes, particularly the demolition of the East Wing. They discuss the significance of various sections of the White House, the emotional impact of the East Wing's destruction, and the implications of the proposed new addition. The conversation highl...

Jill Wine-Banks, Susan Berger, and Karin Tamerius discuss the complexities of communicating with individuals who hold differing political views. They explore the importance of building trust, engaging emotionally before presenting facts, and employing effective dialogue strategies. The discussion emphasizes the need for personal stories, setting boundaries in political discussions, and finding com...

Jill Wine-Banks and Jim Robenalt discuss the recent indictment of James Comey, exploring its implications, legal context, and controversies. They delve into the indictment’s details, key figures’ credibility, and broader issues of women in the military. The conversation highlights legal complexities and challenges faced by public figures. They discuss ongoing investigations related to Donald Trump...

Jill Wine-Banks interviews Traci Feit Love, founder and executive director of Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG). They discuss L4GG’s mission to mobilize lawyers for pro bono work, especially in response to threats to democracy and civil rights. Traci shares insights on supporting volunteer lawyers, launching the Pro Bono Litigation Corps, and training and resources for involvement. They also disc...

Jill Wine-Banks interviews Bill Kurtis, a legendary figure in broadcasting, discussing his unexpected journey from law to journalism, the impact of a tornado on his career, and his significant coverage of high-profile cases like Richard Speck. They explore the evolution of journalism, the challenges faced by news organizations today, and the importance of humor in current events. Kurtis reflects o...

Congressman Jake Auchincloss discusses the the implications of cryptocurrency in political corruption, the pressing issues facing the middle class, including economic freedom, housing affordability, and healthcare costs. He emphasizes the need for manufacturing housing solutions and the importance of trade schools in providing economic mobility. Auchincloss also addresses the corruption in politic...

Jill Wine-banks and Susan Berger discuss the treatment of Senator Padilla, inconsistencies in Trump’s immigration policies, and media’s role in shaping public perception. They emphasize the ethical responsibilities of journalists and the challenges of reporting on political figures, prioritizing factual reporting over opinion. The conversation explores the challenges of reporting truth in a politi...

Jill Wine-Banks and Susan Berger discuss the overwhelming nature of current news and the importance of staying informed, particularly regarding democracy and healthcare. They delve into the impact of misinformation on public health, especially concerning vaccines, and highlight the alarming issue of gun violence as a leading cause of childhood deaths. The discussion also touches on the legal impli...

Jill Wine-Banks discusses several pressing political issues, including the controversial gift from Qatar to Donald Trump, the implications of habeas corpus suspension, and the discrimination in refugee policies affecting Afghan and South African individuals. She emphasizes the importance of public protest and civic engagement in protecting democracy and urges federal employees to maintain their mo...

Jill Wine-Banks and Professor Erwin Chemerinsky discuss the critical role of lawyers in upholding democracy, the unprecedented challenges posed by the Trump administration, and the importance of grassroots activism. They explore the implications of presidential compliance with court orders, the potential need for a new constitution, and the threats to due process and human rights. The discussion a...

Jill Wine-Banks hosts a panel with Kyle Lukoff, Diane Wachtell & Elizabeth Bird to discuss book banning. They share their literary journeys, the impact of censorship, and its broader implications. The discussion explores motivations, legislative responses, and civil rights aspects of the struggle. It emphasizes diverse voices and community action against censorship. The conversation touches on...

Jill Wine-Banks interviews Elie Mystal, political commentator and author, about his journey from law to journalism. They discuss historical laws’ impact on modern society, personal experiences with discrimination, and legal action against injustices. Mystal’s book ‘Bad Law’ emphasizes critical examination of pre-1965 laws and understanding their context. They also explore persuasion challenges in...

Jill Wine-Banks chats with Alison Gill, host of Mueller, She Wrote and The Daily Beans Podcasts. Alison is a true Renaissance woman, having served in the military, made people laugh as a stand up comedian, and fought for what’s right. They talk about some tough stuff, like lawsuits against government agencies, voter suppression, transgender rights in the military, and the importance of getting inv...

Jill Wine-Banks interviews presidential historian Jim Robenalt about the newly released documents related to the JFK assassination. They discuss CIA's potential involvement, the implications of Cuba's role, and the connections to Watergate. The conversation also touches on the capture of Lee Harvey Oswald, the aftermath of the assassination, and the need for judicial reform and election integrity.