The Ben Joravsky Show

Mayor Johnson signs on to the Bears’ lakefront stadium. Ben riffs—more like a howl to the moon. Monroe adds his thoughts. More howling ensues. How can they throw money at the Bears when there’s no money for schools? Then it’s on to Trump and his hush-money trial. What’s more likely—Trump gets convicted or Bears build a stadium on the lake?

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Dave Glowacz returns! And Ben is so happy, he riffs about it. Then they get down to business, breaking down clips from the April 1 City Council meeting dedicated to the question: Should Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez be stripped of his chairmanship of the Housing Committee? We got clips of Aldermen Lopez and Hadden and Sposato and more. Dave runs the websites inside Chicago Government.

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NBC hires Ronna McDaniel. Ben riffs. Delmarie Cobb riffs as well. Then it’s onto the issues of the day. Voter turnout. Selective transparency. Bears and Sox maneuvers. Why the hate for Mayor Johnson. Plus, valuable lessons she learned from her mother. Delmarie Cobb is a political strategist.

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Abdon Pallasch and Bob Herguth talk about their recently released 12-episode podcast—Underbelly: The Rebel Kind. It tells the story of Dave Rupert, a truck driver who winds up as an FBI mole, insinuating his way to the highest ranks of the Real IRA. Yes, the IRA, as in Irish Republican Army. Bob and Abdon—investigative reporters in Chicago—met Dave and one thing led to another and the FBI started coming after them. What ha...

David Faris explains the absurdity of moderates searching for an alternative to Biden. Hello—he is a moderate. And speaking of absurdity. Nothing matches Trump’s desperate attempt to figure out an electable position on abortion. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His opinions are his own.

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Brendan Shiller talks about the life and legacy of Slim Coleman, the longtime activist and organizer who recently died at the age of 80. Stick around for the part where Brendan schools Ben on what really matters in a man’s life. Then a few words about police and their investigations of other police. Brendan is, in no particular order, a criminal defense lawyer, a political strategist, the son of former Alderwoman Helen Shi...

Rachel Hinton and Ben talk the week’s news and introduce the world to…The Rachel and Ben Book Club. Today’s book is James by Percival Everett. Which if you haven’t read, hurry up! But first, listen to Rachel and Ben talk police, housing, and theatrical politics of the absurd. Rachel is a reporter for Block Club.

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A north side resident wants to recall Mayor Johnson. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff and then away they go, talking…police accountability, Dexter Reed, elected school boards, Peter’s run for office, and Dickey Betts. Peter is a political strategist, writer and rock ‘n roller.

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Ben’s beloved Bright One tells him that life is futile and he must give up hope, Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson then tells Ben he’s a sucker for paying to read the Sun-Times. Then they launch a conversation about why MAGA likes O.J. more than they like Biden. And why did white north siders turn on Mayor Lightfoot. And all sorts of other stuff.

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The mainstreams in Chicago love to maximize lefty election losses and minimize their wins. As the continuing coverage of Tuesday’s primary proves. Ben riffs. Matt Ginsberg-Jaeckle explains the obstacles facing lefties in dealing with the mainstream media. As the coverage of Bring Chicago Home proves. He also defends Chicago voters from Ben’s accusation that they are dumb. Matt is a political activist on the northwest side....

D’Frantz Smart talks all things women basketball. Including Dawn Staley, South Carolina, and Caitlin Clark. Also, why is the men’s college game struggling. And a few words about Ben’s beloved Bulls and Bucks coach Doc Rivers. D’Frantz is a former all-star for Whitney Young High School and one of the greatest point guards to come of Chicago.

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O.J. dies. Ben riffs. Trial lawyer Jim Coogan talks all things law. Including…how Trump is using Johnny Cochrane’s legal strategy. Ironically, since MAGA will never get over the O.J. Simpson verdict. Also, an analysis of Trump’s hush money case. Starting next week. And a bold prediction. Also, a few words about Anatomy of a Fall. Jim is the host of the podcast Coogan Knows the Law.

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Sun-Times columnist tells it like it is about the Bears and Sox teaming up for handouts to find their stadium. Ben riffs. And then attorney Adolfo Mondragon takes the deep dive on the Supreme Court’s Colorado ruling. Basically, the justices are saying—if Trump wants to defy the law and constitution, we won’t stop him. “They have one job—protect democracy. And they wouldn’t do it.”

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