Oh, Malort!

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...

The Chicago Bears and the City of Chicago held a press conference so stunning Alyssa had to sit down for and tell Scoot and Pat all about it to get their reactions. She also had to explain the parking deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa and Scoot talk about Mayor Daley's "Plan for Transformation" and the current state of Cabrini-Green. Show Notes: Block Club Chicago: Cabrini-Green: A History of Broken Promises IMDB: Slick Boys New York Times: Chicago Housing Agency To Be Taken Over by U.S.High-Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing Video: Welcome to Cabrini-Green projects in Chicago: Home of Gangster...

In this episode we discuss how Mayor Jane Byrne sorta takes up residence in the projects and throws the most cringe easter celebration while violating constitutional rights. Then it gets bad and constitutional rights are stomped on some more. Good Times. At the end you get Alyssa's Cabrini Green story. Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: Cabrini Green WTTW: When Jane Byrne Moved in to Cabrini Chicago Tr...

Alyssa tells Captain Scoot about early years of Cabrini Green which, for rightful reasons, was considered to be the most dangerous place in America for decades. Show Notes: Straight Dope: ‘Good Times’ Racist reboot on Netflix Chicago Magazine: More Reads on Poverty and Segregation AP: 2 Who killed Chicago cops paroled after decades in Prison Chicago Tribune: Gangs that came to rule in seats of pow...

In this episode we discuss two tragedies that shaped Chicago and made national news. Show Notes: Time Out Chicago: The E2 tragedy nine years later Chicago Tribune: Friday marks 20 years since E2 nightclub’s deadly crowd crush in South Loop, one of the worst in Chicago history CNN: Chicago overwhelmed by nightclub deaths NYT: 21 Die in Stampede of 1,500 at Chicago Nightclub Block Club Chicago: E2 N...

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott to discuss the history of Soldier Field as well as the Bears history of threatening to leave the city. Show Notes: NYT: Soldier Field: A Football Cathedral Never Really Meant for Football South Side Weekly: Stadium Shenanigans Chicago Tribune: Soldier Field ready for next round Chicago Magazine: Field of Pain NBC-5: Taxpayers Still Owe $640M on 2002 Soldier Field...

Alyssa is joined by Molly McAleer of Trend Lightly and Mother May I Sleep With Podcast to discuss Chicago's Most Famous High-School Soccer Coach. Digressions include: Covid Al Capone's Vault/Geraldo Should Alyssa find a Qanon Co-host? Selling Social Media Accounts Show Notes: Chicago Magazine: Tale of the Tape Chicago Tribune: Reporter’s pool visit results in departure Prairie State Wire: Pritzker...

Alyssa is joined by Ronnie Karem from Watch What Crappens to discuss a Chicagoland Icon Show Notes: ABC 7 Chicago: Betty Loren-Maltese reunites with daughter NYT: Top Official In Cicero, Ill., Gets 8 Years In Fund Theft Chicago Magazine: Trauma Queen WGN: Betty Loren-Maltese to hold Estate Sale to Send Daughter to Beauty School Huff Post: Betty Loren-Maltese, Former Cicero President, Holds Garage...

Alyssa is joined by Pat Westmacott to talk about the last time the White Sox wanted a new stadium. Chicago has been Chicagoing since the started Chicago. Show Notes: Chicago Tribune: Ex-ISFA director sues Thompson, Reinsdorf Capitol Fax: Reinsdorf: ‘A savvy negotiator creates leverage’ Chicago Magazine: When Michael Madigan and Big Jim Thompson Stopped Time to Save the White Sox Vice: Better Know...

In this episode Alyssa is joined by John Zinn to discuss Chicago's beloved weather man but first we have some updates on Oh Malort! characters including Ed Burke and Ray Lopez. We do some follow the money. Digressions include: Chicago Rat Hole, Tamale Guy, Chance the Snappers, and Alyssa's jobs. Chicago Tribune: ‘Doozy’ of a career: After nearly a half century on air, Tom Skilling nears his final...