Take 1 with Bill Cameron

Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced her decision to not run for another term this week at the City Club of Chicago. Bill played a chunk of her comments talking about what she accomplished as state's attorney and why she never wants to hear the name, Jussie Smollett, ever again. At the round table with Ray Long, Greg Hinz, Heather Cherone and Dave Stewart, they discussed Kim Foxx and wh...

Former Mayor of Chicago Richard M. Daley turns 81 on April 24th. Bill plays audio highlights of Daley's most memorable moments in office. The round table with Heather Cherone, Greg Hinz, Ray Long and Dave Stewart addresses several issues occurring this week including reaction from Chicago police officials called "active incidents and large gatherings" which occurred last Saturday night (04/15/23)....

Bill Cameron plays highlights of Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker's forum with students at Harvard University held earlier this week.   Governor Pritzker discussed his role as a "pragmatic progressive" Democrat and addressed questions about gun safety laws, the influence of big money on politics, and his thoughts about the future of Chicago under future Mayor, Brandon Johnson. The roundtable with...

This week, Bill talks with the former City of Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson. He talked about what Brandon Johnson has ahead of him as the new Mayor of Chicago. The round-table with Heather Cherone, Greg Hinz, Ray Long and Dave Stewart discussed why Brandon Johnson was elected as the new mayor and why Paul Vallas lost. Is Johnson prepared to take over City Hall?  And Ray Long updates what'...

Following up on last week's interview with mayoral candidate, Brandon Johnson, Bill Cameron highlights portions of competitor Paul Vallas's speech to the City Club of Chicago on March 28th. The round table with Heather Cherone, Dave Stewart, Greg Hinz and Ray Long discussed the latest from the runoff candidates in Chicago's race for mayor.  Also covered are the further developments in the ComEd/Mi...

This week, Bill talks with Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Mayoral Candidate Brandon Johnson. New polls show he is neck and neck with Paul Vallas and he talked about the big issues in the run-off election. That includes crime and who should be the new CPD Superintendent. Johnson also talks taxes and if he would be impartial when negotiating with the CTU. The round table with Heather Cherone,...

With crime being the top issue for the upcoming run-off election for mayor of Chicago, Bill Cameron highlights portions of the Public Safety Mayoral Forum held earlier this week where candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson took on the issues as presented by Laura Washington & Eric Zorn. The reporter round-table with Heather Cherone, Dave Stewart and Ray Long reviewed another week of campai...

This week, Bill talks with Kirk Dillard, Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority, and former Republican candidate for governor. He talks what needs to be improved with the CTA and Metra in the area. Dillard also discusses what needs to change with the Republican Party in the State of Illinois. The reporter round-table with Heather Cherone, Dave Stewart and Ray Long talked the Chicago May...

This week, Bill Cameron talks with Cheryl Raye-Stout on why the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Fire & even the Sky lately are all lousy in this supposedly world class city.  Cheryl Raye-Stout has been covering Chicago's sports teams on various radio stations since 1979. The reporter round-table with Ray Long, Greg Hinz, Heather Cherone and Dave Stewart talked about the results in t...

Tuesday is Election Day in Chicago and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins Bill Cameron this week to state her last minute case to remain mayor. She talks why she's a better candidate than Paul Vallas, Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Brandon Johnson. Lightfoot also discussed growing up near East Palastine, OH and what can be done about high property taxes. Also, if the Bears leave Chicago, will that tarnis...

This week, Bill talks with David Greising, President and CEO of the Better Government Association. He discussed what needs to change with the mayor's office with the next term. This includes what can be done about the open positions in the Chicago Police Department, the city's finances and the state's attorney. The roundtable with Heather Cherone, Greg Hinz and Dave Stewart talked about the Chicag...

This week, Bill Cameron talks with Chicago mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green. He explains what he would do to improve the city, including getting rid of ComEd. Green talked about why he is the best candidate for mayor over the other 8 hopefuls. The reporter round-table with Ray Long, Heather Cherone and Greg Hinz discuss the number of stories that are bad news for Paul Vallas, who is one of the front...

This week, Bill Cameron talks with Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas, who is seen as one of the favorites to advance to a run-off and just received an endorsement from the Chicago Tribune. He explains what he would do with property taxes and how to curb Chicago violence. That includes how to retain and hire more police officers.  The reporter round-table with Greg Hinz, Ray Long, Heather Chero...

This week, Bill Cameron talks with State Rep. Bob Morgan, of the 58th District in the Illinois House of Representatives.  He was the original sponsor of the bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazine sales in Illinois.  His district includes the city of Highland Park where a mass shooting killed seven people and wounded dozens more during a parade on July 4th, 2022. The reporter round...

This week, Bill Cameron talks with Alderman Sophia King who currently serves Chicago's 4th ward covering portions of Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, and South Loop.  King explains why she is the best choice for mayor and addresses what she would do to improve the city.  King outlines her plan to change shifts/schedules of Chicago police officers to provide more coverage using the officer...

Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot talks with Bill about the recent student recruitment scandal created by one of her campaign workers and what repercussions might happen in the aftermath.  Is it just clumsy staff work, and did it actually happen once before?  Lightfoot addresses crime and her quest for a "Lasting Peace" in the city.  The mayor comments about the recent voter survey which ranked her i...

Brandon Johnson is a Democratic member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and is one of nine candidates running for Mayor of Chicago in the February 28th election.  Johnson explains why he is the best choice for mayor and addresses what he would do to improve the city.  In addition to violent crime and pending changes to cash bail from the 'SAFE-T Act', Johnson would have to work with the t...

In what has become an annual tradition at WLS, Bill Cameron plays audio collected from his years covering Mayor Richard J. Daley. December 20th will mark 46 years since the former mayor's death. The reporter round-table with Greg Hinz (Crain's Chicago), Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) and Heather Cherone (WTTW) discuss the increased fines for automobile drivers who illegally use bicycle lanes for such...

Roderick Sawyer, the 6th ward Alderman in Chicago and son of former mayor Eugene Sawyer joins Bill Cameron this week.  Alderman Sawyer is one of the many challenging Lori Lightfoot for mayor in the February 28th city election.  Sawyer tells Bill of a recent "adult health crisis" which put him at a severe disadvantage in collecting signatures to get on the ballot for Mayor of Chicago. The reporter...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he talks with candidate for Mayor of Chicago, Willie Wilson.  In this interview recorded on Monday, November 28th, Wilson gives his perspective on why he wants to replace current mayor, Lori Lightfoot whom he endorsed in the previous election.  Wilson also explains his platform issues including his suggestion for bringing a second NFL team to the cit...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he remembers Harold Washington, the first African American mayor of Chicago. Harold Washington died at his desk in the mayor's office on the day before Thanksgiving in 1987. Bill played some of the best of Harold Washington. Then hear the roundtable with Ray Long (Chicago Tribune), Greg Hinz (Crain's Chicago) and Heather Cherone (WTTW). What's the de...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he talks with retiring Secretary of State Jesse White. Secretary White reflected on his career getting rid of corruption in his office, what to do about driving under the influence of marijuana and his Chicago Cubs career. You'll hear the roundtable with Heather Cherone (WTTW), Greg Hinz (Crains Chicago) and Ray Long (Chicago Tribune). They discuss h...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he talks with Jim Durkin, who is stepping down as the Illinois House Republican Leader. Durkin talks about why he made his decision and what he thinks the reasons are for Republicans taking a pounding in Illinois in the election. You'll hear the reporter roundtable with Greg Hinz (Crain's Chicago), Ray Long (Chicago Tribune) and Heather Cherone (WTTW...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he talks with David Greising, the President and CEO of the Better Government Association. He talked about what needs to improve in Illinois in government especially with DCFS and DHS. You'll hear the reporter roundtable with Greg Hinz, Heather Cherone and Ray Long. They discuss some of the potential surprises on Election Day and why are people still...

Join WLS-AM 890 for Take 1 with Bill Cameron as he talks with Kam Buckner of the Illinois House of Representatives and Chicago Mayoral candidate. He was a big player in the SAFE-T Act and gives his credentials for taking over the office on the fifth floor of City Hall.  You'll hear the roundtable with Greg Hinz, Ray Long and Heather Cherone. They talk about Nancy Pelosi's husband being attacked in...