Oh, Malort!

In this episode I tell Jeff Tischauser from Southern Poverty Law Center about the time the Chicago Tribune created a LGBTQA Moral Panic in the 1970's and how it is alive and well in 2024.   We had some audio issues with this episode and are taking step to insure they never happen again but thought it is too good not to release and recording would not have had the same impact. Show Notes: Senate He...

In this episode I am joined by Captain Scoot and we discuss Block 37 which was nothing better than a land grab which inspired a book and a BBC Documentary. Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: A Brief History of Block 37 Chicago Tribune: A look at Block 37’s troubled past Chicago Magazine: The Block 37 Superstation: Chicago's Money Pit Chicago Tribune: Block 37 represents a painful missed opportunity Red...

In this episode we discuss Sears, Roebuck and Company. Show Notes: WTTW: The Rise and Fall of the Mail Order Giants (Article) WTTW: The Rise and Fall of the Mail Order Giants (Video) Smithsonian: The Rise and Fall of Sears CNN: Sears’ extraordinary history: A timeline History Channel: Sears Chicago Tribune: Sears timeline: Rise, fall and restructuring of a Chicago icon over 130 years Learn more ab...

This is not an episode about the history of Mike Royko. Instead, Alyssa is joined by writer and actor Mitchell Bisschop to discuss his one-man show Royko: The Toughest Man in Chicago and the journalist's contribution to the city.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa is joined by Risen Lady Heathen to discuss innovator Aaron Montgomery Ward and his contribution to retail and the Chicago Lakefront.   Other Topics: The Fire American Girl Hobbies and crafts during COVID Timezones Chicago School of Economics Layaway Pots and pans in the dishwasher Film cameras Why I started this podcast Show Notes:  Chicago History Museum: Montgomery Ward’s First Catalog WT...

I am joined by Vanessa to talk about Dan Proft. A man who hates Chicago.  Digressions include:  Veggie Tales Disqualifying resume items for Chicago pols Why is Chicago so Corrupt? What Russel Brand has been up to since he divorced Katy Perry Vanessa Googles Dan Proft’s hair in real time. Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times: Through Liberty Principles PAC, Dan Proft spreads millions to GOP Chicago Magazi...

This week Mo Sting from Hot Dockets and I discuss the trial of the Chicago Seven. So much laughter. Show Notes: Conspiracy in the Streets The Extraordinary Trial of the Chicago Seven The Chicago Conspiracy Trial Time: ‘Violence Was Inevitable’: How 7 Key Players Remember the Chaos of 1968’s Democratic National Convention Protests Chicago History Museum:The Chicago 7 Trial Learn more about your ad...

Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels are amazing. History rhymes. SHOW NOTES: Bill Kurtis remembers the 1968 Democratic National Convention Part 1: 'The Whole World's Watching: 20 Years Later,' A 1988 CBS 2 Documentar Part 2: 'The Whole World's Watching: 20 Years Later,' A 1988 CBS 2 Documentary Part 3: 'The Whol...

This episode was released last summer but next week Chicago will host the DNC and given how crazy the last month has been it might be good to explore what happen then. This is a two part episode to belly up to bar and get ready. The Whole Word in Watching. Original Summary: Chicago will host the 2024 DNC convention but is is worth exploring the most tear-gassed convention in 1968. The parallels ar...

Twenty years ago a driver working the the Dave Mathews Band dropped 800lbs of poop which landed on a boat full of people enjoying an architecture tour. Alyssa tells Molly McAleer and Captain Scoot all the details. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Band’s driver denies drenching boat Chicago Sun-Times: Tour boat hit with raw sewage // 2 large buses on bridge blamed for discharge that sent 5 to hospital...

We finished our Madigan Series.   Much like historians trying to write about the period from the June Trump Biden debate until the DNC. Chicago sans assassination attempt this story has so many aspects happening all at once: sexual harassment, bribery, two federal cases on election interference, ballot tampering, calls for resignation and shifting political favor.   Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Fa...

In this episode John and Alyssa talk more about Mike Madigan's career while looking at his impact on patronage jobs, family tree, and rename the Chicago political machine. Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: Michael Madigan Is the King of Illinois Chicago Tribune: How Madigan builds his patronage army Chicago Reader: The Madigan Effect The House that Madigan Built Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Bob Cooley, the central character from Operation Gambit, wrote the judge in Ed Burke's case a twelve page letter. Alyssa reads it to Morgan Stringer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Alyssa and John talk about the Blago impeachment and political dynasties in Illinois. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Column: Madigan’s name launched her career but possibly contributed to calling it quits Politco: There’s An Irish Wake for Illinois’ Political Machine Forbes: Why Does IL Attorney General Lisa Madigan Refuse To Prosecute Public Corruption? Time: An Illinois Dynasty Ve...

John Zinn and I are embarking on a journey to look at the career of former Speaker of the Illinois House Mike Madigan. In this episode we talk about the circumstances that facilitated his rise to power, some legislative victories, and a, perhaps, little known fact about his daughter Lisa.  SHOW NOTES:  Rueters: The man behind the fiscal fiasco in Illinois WBEZ: Michael Madigan, A Speaker For The A...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Captain Scoot to discuss the history of Taste of Chicago. Was Chicago Fest the earlier version? Not really. We discuss the highs and lows while dispelling some Chicago lore. Show Notes: DNA Info: The First Taste Of Chicago Was On The Magnificent Mile ... And Packed NBC Chicago: “Boooo! Awwww!” NBC Chicago: City Cancels Fireworks at ‘Taste' Chicago Tribune: Boy l...

In this episode I am joined by legal expert Morgan Stinger and John Zinn to discuss the Ed Burke sentencing.  Image from Hare Brained Show Notes: Chicago Sun-Times: How much jail time should Ed Burke get? Depends on which City Council member you ask. Chicago Magazine: Paul Vallas Really Loves His Broom Chicago Sun-Times: Let's all play 'Sit in Judgment of Ed Burke' Chicago Sun-Times: Ed Burke's la...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Risen Lady Heathen to talk about the rise and fall of the KKK in Chicago. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: When Chicago welcomed KKK NPR Illinois: History: The 1920's Saw The KKK's Rise In Illinois Chicago Magazine: The Ku Klux Klan Was Successful in 1920s Chicago (But Mostly as a Con) Chicago Reader: Boys in the Hoods Smithsonian: HISTORY “Murder Wasn’t Very Pretty...

In this episode, Alyssa is joined by Hugh Yeman to discuss "The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault" an event that catapulted Geraldo into a new direction and impacted the media market to this day. Show Notes: AV Club: When Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone’s vault, he turned nothing into ratings Mental Flow: Oral History: When Geraldo Rivera Opened Al Capone's Vault Washington Post: GERALDO'S MAKEOVER The...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by David Baxter to discuss the history of Pride in Chicago.   Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: A Brief History of Chicago’s Pride Parade WTTW: How Chicago’s Pride Parade Grew from a Small March to a Big Event Out & Proud in Chicago Windy City Times: From a March to a Parade: Chicago's Pride History NPR: Gloria Gaynor: 'I Will Survive' Is 'The Core Of My Purpose' Pink...

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott of The Grinning Barretts to talk about Chicago's Punk Icon, Wesley Willis with a few fun digressions. Show Notes: Washington Post: Songs in His Head Steve Albini Chicago Reader: The Wesley Willis Fiasco Wesley Willis: Too Much Too Soon? All Music: Feel the Power Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine Wesley Willis Bio Vice: Remembering Wesley Willis, Ten Years Later T...

Alyssa takes a break from crime and corruption to tell Vanessa from Reel Relationships about a living local hero and one of the reasons Chicago is the greatest American city. Show Notes: WTTW: Chicago Portrait: Tamale Guy DNA Info: Is Running Into The Tamale Guy a Religious Experience? Yes, Yelpers Say Thrillist: An Interview With Chicago's Dive Bar Hero, the Tamale Man Chicago Tribune: 'Tamale Gu...

With Ed Burke Day mere days away, Alyssa invited Morgan Stringer from Hot Dockets to the Dirksenverse to explore Operation GAMBAT which involved putting away bad people who fixed murders and other stuff.  In addition the FBI Op we talk about the following: Ed Burke’s racism Costume critique Return of the FBI Theatre Troop and some bad casting Dersh Alex Jones It should cost more to be corruptible...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by Steven Ray Morris of See Jurassic Right and formerly My Favorite Murder to discuss the 1950's murder of the Grimes Sisters.   Show Notes: Chicago Reader: Death and the Maidens Chicago Now: Unsolved Chicago Grimes Sisters’ Murder is 59 Years Old Newcity: A Killer and A Movie: When Two Brutal Murders Brought Fear to Chicago WGN: Grimes Sisters' killings blamed for...

Alyssa is joined by Ben Mandelker of Watch What Crappens to discuss the life and times of Chef Charlie Trotter. Some of you might be asking, "Who?" Well, take a listen because aside from being Gordon Ramsay before Gordon Ramsay he profoundly impacted Chicago's dining culture with some influence on Top Chef. Take a moment to subscribe and leave a five-star review.  Show Notes: Book: Charlie Trotter...