The Ben Joravsky Show

Bulls lose their opener. Ben loses his mind. Mick Dumke explains what it takes to get the city’s budget office to reveal what should already be public information. In short, you have to file many FOIA requests to learn aldermanic salaries. Learn about the in-another-location excuse for concealing those salaries. Very novel, city. A few words about a judge’s ruling in a case pitting a rich guy against poor people. Big surprise—the rich guy won. And a word or two about the Bulls. Mick is a reporter for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anti-immigrant people in Brighton Park attack Alderwoman Julia Ramirez. Ben riffs. Nader Issa returns to talk all things Chicago Public Schools. Including…the impact of immigrants on enrollment. Why are school officials downplaying that impact? Also, a word or two about vouchers. And then a word or two about sports. Nader covers CPS for the Chicago Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Under pressure from the mainstream, Mayor Johnson backs off from his trip to the southern border. Ben riffs. Maria Degillo explains how her life story illustrates the need for a new approach to dealing with hurt, anger and fear in our high schools. Maria is the Youth Director at Voices of Youth in Chicago Education. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain explores the state of journalism. Why newspapers are looking to Taylor Swift coverage to boost circulation. The mindless racism of Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone. Taylor Swift reporters are instructed they can’t be a fan. But Jann Wenner made millions sucking up to rock stars. And should a comedian be required to tell the truth in his search for the Truth? Yes, we ‘re talking about Hasan Minhaj. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Sun-Times and WBEZ reveal a deputy sheriff in Stephenson County had been an Oath Keeper. Concerned citizens want to know the implications. Karl Bronn is a member of the local NAACP. Jody Coss is the chair of the Stephenson County Democratic Party. And Pat Norman is president of the Freeport branch of the NAACP. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson talks about visiting the border. Ben riffs. Activist, casting director, writer, director Pemon Rami talks Chicago history, Black activism, Sam Greenlee, The Spook Who Sat By The Door, Cooley High and all kinds of other things. Pemon is the author of newly published memoirs: When Black Was Golden. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Believe it or not, there was a time when the Republican Party wasn’t radiating hate for teachers. This was back in the 80s when a Republican Governor led the way for…oh, let Dan Montgomery tell the story. Dan is the president of Illinois Federation of Teachers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The city council entertains a proposal to prohibit residents from erecting little library book houses on the public way. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks Trump trials, the left not voting for Biden, Pence dropping out and other things. Including…why did it take the friends in Friends so long to make a Black friend? Are there no Black people in New York City? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris breaks down a week’s worth of MAGA lunacy. Including…Matt Goetz leads his fellow dunderheads in a coup against Kevin McCarthy. The Republican presidential candidates have a debate in which they sorta declare war on the American worker. And President Biden goes Trump on the wall. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tuesday October 3, Ben and Maya hosted First Tuesdays at the Haymarket House with 46th ward Alderwoman Angela Clay. On the agenda, all things politics including…asylum seekers, tent city, gentrification, property taxes, local schools, police, the future of Uptown, and finding her way as a first year alder. Also, how to handle challenging questions and the 35-second rule. Maya is, of corse, Maya Dukmasova, a reporter for Injustice Watch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Johnson released his budget, revealing he’s learned a trick or two about the TIF game. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson talks retaliatory culture—it’s as old as Romeo and Juliet. Steve Scalise versus Jim Jordan—who do you vote for? If you had no other choice. And Kevin Phillips dies. He’s the evil genius who wrote MAGA’s election playbook, 60 years before MAGA was a thing. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain tries to explain to Ben why so many Chicagoans hate immigrants. Including people who are immigrants themselves. It’s hard for Ben to comprehend cause the hatred that motivates so many Chicagoans is incomprehensible. Rummana is a columnist and editorial writer for the Chicago Sun-Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun-Times tries to take a strong stand against the Bears only to pull its pinch. Ben riffs. Attorney Jim Coogan tells you all you need to know about Donald Trump’s fraud trial in New York City. Including how 11,000 square feet is the same as 30,000 square feet in the Trump universe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senate Democrats act helpless in face of MAGA Senator Vance delay tactics. Ben riffs. Striking UAW member Marcie Pedraza talks about the ongoing strike against the big three auto makers. Marcie is an electrician at the Ford plant on the far south side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Candis Castillo covers it all, including…Tent city. Southerners going to Mexico to get abortions, cause MAGA has essentially outlawed it in their states. Trump and Biden in the senility competition. Also, a thing or two about aspirational voting. Candis is a political strategist and political director for SEIU Healthcare. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.