The Ben Joravsky Show

The Sun-Times and WBEZ take the deep dive on Mayor Rahm’s school closings. Ben riffs. And Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Loreen Targos return to talk all things lefty politics. Oh, yes, they’re married. And she was his campaign manager in his recent successful re-election run. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

Comedian Hope Rehak joins Ben to review a week’s worth of news. Including…the latest Trump indictment, Hannah Gadsby v the NYT, maternal leave in Chicago and has Bret Kavanaugh gone liberal? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Matt Topic, one of the foremost FOIA lawyers in the state, ponders the big question: Why are our mayors so determined to keep us ignorant of what they’re doing? And was Mayor Lightfoot—who promised to “bring in the light”—even worse on this front than Rahm and Daley? Worse as in concealing basic information from the public. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...

Every political drama needs a “bad guy”. Ben riffs on who currently plays that role in Chicago. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez explains what must be done to settle asylum seekers. And what she plans to do as chair of health committee. And some of the sexist idiocy she’s encountered in the city council. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...

Chicago has a funny way of favoring the Bears over public transportation. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson continues the Bears talk. Then it’s off to MAGA land who has a better chance of winning the Republican nomination—Pence or Christie. And Monroe makes a bold prediction about Trump’s pending indictment. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

Mayor Johnson gets sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor. Ben riffs. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the new mayor’s council floor leader, reflects on the inauguration. Then it’s time to deal with…reopening mental health clinics, council reorganization, aldermanic privilege and asylum seekers. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/pri...

CNN turns over its network to Trump. Ben riffs. State Rep Kam Buckner returns. Talks CTA, crime, MAGA, council reorganization and Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It’s time catch up on the week’s news—in this case with Mick Dumke, editor and writer for Block Club. Ben and Mick talk, Rahm and Ron, Brandon and Lori, Carlos and Scott, and Jayson and Jimmy. And more. If you don’t know these people by their first names alone, then you must listen so you will know. You should listen anyway. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...

Mayor-elect Johnson plays musical chairs with the city council. Ben riffs. Political activist Denali Dasgupta asks to reconsider our notions about policing, social services, distraught people on subways, Rudy G. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

On May 2, Maya Dukmasova & Ben hosted a First Tuesday show at the Promontory night club in Hyde Park. Alders Maria Hadden and Jeanette Taylor were the guests, talking city council committee chairs under Mayor Johnson. Pretty much everything they predicted has been coming true. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell...

It’s the time of year for tallies. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a deeper dive on tallies. Will Texan Republicans tally enough legislative votes to remove their sleazy MAGA attorney general? Will Kevin McCarthy tally enough MAGA congress people to approve his debt ceiling deal with President Biden? And the annual Memorial Day weekend death tally by Chicago’s media. See Privacy Policy at https:/...

SDG & Pedro Martinez of CPS join forces to plead for Chicago. Ben riffs. And podcaster Mark Wallace talks politics. How MAGA used Vallas to seize Chicago. Meritorious Manumission. And the lawlessness of Clarence Thomas & Trump. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Matt Harvey talks about what he witnessed, covering three days of protests over the 2020 Memorial Day weekend in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jacob Kaplan, executive director of the Cook County Democratic Party and Water Rec Commissioner Dan Pogorzelski—aka, The political know-it-alls—make their long-awaited return! Talking local and national politics in the wake of Chicago’s mayoral election. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The city councils closed out its term with nostalgic tears. Ben riffs. And Micah Uetricht, Jacobin editor, puts Johnson’s win in historical perspective. Also, a few words about the mainstream media. And dream blunt rotation, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Breaking news!!! Foxes in Millennium Park!!! Ben riffs. And Monroe Anderson discusses Jim Brown, Tina Turner, Sammy Davis Jr., Lena Horne, Trump, DeSantis, Tim Scott and the concept of nice mayors. Plus, is there such a thing as nice MAGA? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

After avoiding post-election interviews for weeks, Mayor Lightfoot speaks her mind. Ben riffs. Election lawyer and southwest side politico Adolfo Mondragon joins the conversation. Why did Lightfoot lose? Is it ok to have a grudge? Why are immigrant asylum seekers sleeping in police stations? How is it that we can absorb 50,000 Amazon workers but not 8,000 asylum speakers? Who’s more deserving of a...

Roosevelt University political scientist David Faris has his concerns about President Biden’s plans to run for re-election. Will it result in, gulp, a Trump win? David breaks it down. Plus, a word or two about Nate Silver. Also, the return of the Manchin nightmare. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Joining Ben to break down some of the news of the week is Salem Collo-Julin, editor of Ben’s beloved Reader. Where’s he worked for almost 40 years! And so they talk…the first week of Mayor Johnson, the Reader’s Best of Chicago party, Reader reader favorite pols, and the MAGA meltdown over bathrooms. Salem’s riff is priceless. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Singer/songwriter Michael Gerardi—the Neil Young of Chicago—drops some truths. Like…why is it that a city in which 1 in 3 is in poverty has enough money to give billions to rich guys? Also, Brandon Johnson hasn’t even been sworn in—still mayor elect—and he’s already getting blamed for crime. He closes with his biting satire—The Shadow Budget. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cal...

One day after Mayor Johnson is sworn in, the opposition lets loose. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Durham report, Anderson Cooper, Ron Desantis, Brandon haters, and 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 .

Lots of things to talk about, including Paul Vallas’s suit against his former campaign aide. Ben riffs. And CTU president Stacy Davis Gates suggests that old lefties like Ben should be more like Jimmy Butler—don’t be afraid of losing. Stacy weighs in Mayor Lightfoot, States Attorney Foxx, President Biden, Senator Durbin and the demonization of young people in Chicago. Also, a few words about Jimmy...

Tribune reporter Greg Pratt spent the last four years covering Mayor Lightfoot’s administration. As she’s heading out the door, he tries to make sense of it. Including her strange texts and unnecessary squabbles. Like the one with Kim Foxx. Also, a few words about the final council meeting of the term and Paul Vallas’s post-election lawsuit. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

What a week it was! Washington Post sports columnist Kevin Blackistone joins Ben to run it all down, including…Mayor-elect Johnson’s new chief of staff. Reconsidering Jackie Robinson Day. Tale of two punishments: Daniel Snyder v Draymond Green. A tribute to Ahmad Jamal. And the movie Kevin helped make—Imagining the Indian—opens in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...