The Fran Spielman Show

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates to discuss what returning to the classroom will look like and what plan is needed to make that happen safely for students.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to discuss Chicago's ongoing violence and the state of schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter and longtime Chicago Cubs fan Fran Spielman is joined by play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes. Topics include Hughes’ long career with the Cubs, what the upcoming season looks like under new management and what it will be like announcing without fans in the stands.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno to discuss the enforcement of coronavirus guidelines for businesses and Chicago's transition into Phase 4 safety mandates.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago City Council Education and Child Development Committee chairman Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th). Today’s show dives into his family’s legacy in politics, whether alternate sites are being considered for classrooms in the fall and his take on the $700 million budget shortfall the city has incurred due to the ongoing pandemic.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce to discuss the city’s reopening plan, economic recovery after the pandemic and where the plan for a Chicago casino stands.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined remotely by Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner Gia Biagi to discuss a long-awaited mayoral rescue plan where some of Chicago’s most popular restaurant corridors will be closed to through traffic to give restaurants more space and revenue from outdoor dining.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by newly elected Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara to discuss the union contract and building relationships with Supt. Brown and Mayor Lightfoot.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Better Government Association President David Greising to discuss Mayor Lightfoot’s handling of former Police Supt. Eddie Johnson, the CTU strike, Ald. Ed Burke (14th) and how she's become a well know figure through the coronavirus crisis. Stick to the end to see what grade the Mayor receives. 

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined remotely by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to discuss Chicago’s reopening plan and how restaurants, schools and our normal way of life may be affected moving forward.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham to discuss challenging Supt. David Brown’s decision to yank officers out of North and Northwest Side districts and reassign them to districts on the South and West sides without regard to “reverse seniority.”

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined remotely by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s City Council floor leader Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) to discuss the current state of the coronavirus pandemic in his ward and what City Council and the mayor’s office are doing to move forward after Chicago flattens the curve.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman is joined remotely by Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady to discuss where the city currently stands in the COVID-19 pandemic and what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined remotely by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle to discuss her quarantine, the impact coronavirus is having on Cook County jail inmates and how students are coping with e-learning during coronavirus shutdown.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman is joined by the President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association Sam Toia and the President and CEO of the Illinois Home and Lodging Association Michael Jacobson.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Republican candidate for Cook County State's Attorney Pat O'Brien in our first remote show.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet to discuss the upcoming primary election.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel to discuss his new book 'The Nation City: Why Mayors Are Now Running the World.'

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Democratic candidate for Cook County State's Attorney, Bob Fioretti.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Democratic candidate for Cook County State's Attorney, Donna More.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Bill Conway, a Democratic candidate for Cook County State's Attorney.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck to discuss the strides that have been made in the Chicago Police Department since he took over for Eddie Johnson.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Finance Committee Chairman and 32nd ward Alderman Scott Waguespack to discuss the ‘Plastic Free Water’ ordinance on foam to-go boxes and single-use plastics.