John Williams

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about why people care so much about their local sports teams, the Chicago Teachers Union members voting down an effort to raise union dues to pay for political campaigns, and the latest on the Texas primary between Texas AG Ken Paxton and Sen. John […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the death of Kyle Busch, what we should know about sepsis, the latest on the Ebola outbreak in Africa, and if we need to be concerned about Lyme disease in Illinois.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about President Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, as well as the votes in the Senate about the War in Iran and new UFO files.

Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about a new initiative that would provide $25,000 for first-time home buyers’ down payments if they have contributed two years of national service. Ambassador Emanuel also tells Jon if he believes the Bears would still be in Chicago if he […]

Dave Plier, WGN Radio host and Museum of Broadcast Communications Chairman, President & CEO, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the legacy of Stephen Colbert as he ends ‘The Late Show,’ how television and late night viewing habits are changing, the way many of these shows became more political, what […]

Kelly Amonte Hiller, head women’s lacrosse coach at Northwestern University, joins Jon Hansen and Andy Masur to talk about their powerhouse program, the excitement about hosting the Women’s Final Four this weekend, the wonderful opportunity for people to see lacrosse being played at the highest level, the pressure of being the number on seed in […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins Jon Hansen to talk about Memorial Day grilling upgrades! Dawn also answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, Jon Hansen has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head to beautiful Mirror Lake State Park and visit […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the feud between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker over the Bears stadium and other issues in […]

Nick Nagele, Co-Founder, Whiskey Acres Distilling Company in DeKalb, IL, joins Jon Hansen to talk about the release of their special limited-edition America 250 bourbon. It’s truly history in a bottle! And keep your ears tuned just in case extra tickets are released for John Williams’ Speed Jokes Anniversary Party this June at Whiskey Acres!

Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen to discuss items that could be worth money. Looking to sell an old coin that you have around the house? What about that gold that you’ve been meaning to sell? Do you have some World War II or World’s Fair memorabilia? How about a […]

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins Jon Hansen to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says to keep your eyes out for fungus colonies with the recent hot, humid weather.

It’s time to “Ask a Plumber.” Center Guard Plumbing’s Mike Epping joins Jon Hansen to answer listener questions about water leaks, cleaning faucets and drains, replacing hoses, and toilet flushing.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Joabe Barbosa, an avid runner originally from Brazil who is a Roosevelt University doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, joins Jon Hansen to talk about being a great ambassador for the city as he continues to run the streets of Chicago, and the good news he received on his effort to remain in the United States.

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, Jon Hansen has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west and visit with Marya Pennington, Marketing Director […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins Jon to talk about how concerned we need to be about hantavirus and Ebola, how some people on weight loss medication are seeing ‘muscle wasting,’ the importance of being able to talk candidly to your primary care physician, and when you should […]