The Fran Spielman Show

David Axelrod on Chicago Politics, Mayor Johnson's Challenges, and Democratic Party Prospects

WBBM's Craig Dellimore: Reflections on a Legendary Career in Journalism

In a special Father's Day edition, Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by three notable Chicagoans - Mayor Brandon Johnson, Rahm Emanuel, and Congressman Chuy Garcia - to discuss their fathers and how their relationships with them have shaped their own journeys in fatherhood.

Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling for an in-depth and candid conversation. Snelling discusses his journey leading one of the nation’s largest police departments, the challenges of public safety in Chicago, and the strategies behind recent reductions in violent crime.

Chicago's 44th Ward: Challenges, Changes, and Collaborations with Alderman Bennett Lawson

Navigating Tourism Challenges in Chicago with Choose Chicago's New CEO, Kristen Reynolds

Hall of Fame right fielder and former Chicago Cub Andre Dawson

Mayor Brandon Johnson: Reflections on two years in office

Challenges and Opportunities in Chicago's Development: A Conversation with Commissioner Ciere Boatright

General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

In this episode, Fran Spielman interviews John Block, an independent producer and filmmaker from Chicago, about his moving and inspirational film, 'I Will Build This World From Love.' The conversation explores John's upbringing in Chicago, his career highlights at major networks like NBC, and his transition to independent filmmaking.

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on the new teachers' contract

Jeffrey Haydon Ravinia Festival CEO discusses renovations and exciting summer lineup

Outgoing Chicago Park District CEO Rosa Escareno

Anthony Driver, President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

Fran Spielman on 50 Years in Chicago media | The 300th episode

Chicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell

Oscars Preview with Richard Roeper

Inside Chicago Politics: A Candid Conversation with Dick Mell

Sun-Times sports columnist Rick Telander | Super Bowl preview & remembering Virginia McCaskey

Chicago's Response to Mass Deportation Efforts

Investigative Legacy: A Conversation with Tim Novak

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch Discusses State Challenges and Trump Era Strategies

Chicago news year in review

U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Balancing Chicago's Budget: A City Council Perspective with Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) & Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th)

Kennedy Bartley, Chief of External Affairs

Sun-Times reporters recap the 2024 election results

Discussing Mayor Johnson's proposed Chicago budget | Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)

Ald. Marty Quinn (13th)

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa to discuss the recent mass resignation of the Chicago school board amidst a budget crisis and ongoing negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU).

Jordan Abudayyeh, departing Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Strategic Media for Gov. JB Pritzker

Portraying himself as a "peacemaker" between an embattled mayor and an emboldened City Council, newly-confirmed Zoning Committee Chair Walter Burnett (27th) said there is nothing to be gained by further "antagonizing and fighting" Johnson. Not after "every vote has been tight" during Johnson's first 17 months in office.

Anthony Driver Jr. on Public Safety, Police Accountability, and Community Concerns

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Brendan Reilly of Chicago's 42nd Ward to discuss the city's critical financial issues and political landscape.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman interviews Chicago's budget director, Annette Guzman, about the city's significant financial challenges. Guzman explains the factors contributing to these shortfalls, including lagging revenues, escalating costs, and pension obligations.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates

Post-Democratic National Convention Analysis: Sun-Times reporters Tina Sfondeles & Mitchell Armentrout

Former CPS CEO Forrest Claypool reflects on Richard M. Daley's legacy

Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun to discuss Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race and the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the democratic nominee.

Analyzing the Republican National Convention

Bill Daley | Former U.S. Commerce Secretary and former White House chief of staff

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman speaks with Julie Giese, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. They discuss the race's economic impact, community engagement through various programs, and the potential challenges and benefits of hosting such a significant event in Chicago.

Pat Cleary, President of Chicago Fire Fighters Union Local 2

Mickey Bergman International Hostage Negotiator

Alan Woinski, CEO of Gaming U.S.A. Corporation

Leslie Fox, former Executive Director of 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by SoundThinking, Inc. CEO Ralph Clark to discuss ShotSpotter's future in Chicago.

Joe Ferguson, President of the Civic Federation

Mayor Brandon Johnson

FOP President John Catanzara

New homes for the Bears and the White Sox? Sports business consultant Marc Ganis weighs in

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates

Gin Kilgore, acting executive director of Friends of the Parks

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Education Committee chair Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) to discuss her concerns and outlook on the transition of Chicago Public Schools to a hybrid elected school board, emphasizing the potential for chaos and political misuse.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ravinia Festival president and CEO Jeffrey Haydon to discuss the guests and musical performers expected in Highland Park this summer.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman welcomes colleagues Sun-Times political reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ state and government reporter Dave McKinney to discuss the races to watch ahead of Tuesday's election.

Ald. William Hall (6th)

Let's talk Oscars 2024 with Richard Roeper

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Rob Karr, to discuss the challenges faced by retailers in Chicago, including the decrease in foot traffic downtown and the impact of tax increases on businesses.

Eddie Johnson served as the city’s police superintendent when the ShotSpotter technology was integrated into the 12 district technology centers. He doesn’t blame ShotSpotter for declining the extension. Still, the former top cop told the Sun-Times he’s afraid about what will happen without the technology.

Il. House Speaker Chris Welch

Anti-Defamation League Midwest Regional Director David Goldenberg joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss Chicago City Council's passing of a Gaza cease-fire resolution this week.

Neighborhood Building Owners Association president Mike Glasser and executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago Farzin Parang join Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss their arguments against Mayor Brandon Johnson's Bring Chicago Home referendum.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former United Working Families Executive Director Emma Tai to discuss her role in campaigning for Mayor Brandon Johnson's Bring Chicago Home referendum.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago City Comptroller Chasse Rehwinkel.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood to discuss the ongoing safety challenges facing the city and the steps he and the rest of Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration are taking.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleagues to discuss the Burke trial as it approaches its end, the Northwestern scandal, and Mayor Brand Johnson's handling of the migrant crisis.

Days after announcing his departure from the job growth agency known as World Business Chicago, Michael Fassnacht urged City Hall and the two major carriers to work out their differences on a massive project that started at $8.7 billion but has ballooned to $12.1 billion.

City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times colleague David Roeder to discuss his storied career after over a total of 20 years at the newspaper.

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd)

One day after Mayor Johnson’s tie-breaking vote spared Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) from a City Council censure, senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee said it was not a mistake for Johnson to empower the chair of the Democratic Socialist Caucus with the jobs of floor leader and Zoning Committee chair.

Budget Director Annette Guzman

United States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel

Mayor Brandon Johnson's City Council floor leader, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss the proposed city budget and the current state of the migrant crisis.

“The driving force has always been inequity and injustice that Black and brown students and their families experience in this city. And that injustice did not roll away on April 4. We just got another gladiator in a place of power,” CTU President Stacy Davis Gates told the Sun-Times.

Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by the chairman of the City Council's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Andre Vasquez, to discuss Mayor Johnson's plan for asylum seekers.

Mayor Brandon Johnson: Chicago's plan for the migrant crisis

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara

Mayor Brandon Johnson

Chief Operating Officer John Roberson

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th)

Inspector General Deborah Witzburg

The Northwestern University hazing scandal | Attorneys Parker Stinar & Patrick Salvi

Anthony Driver, president of Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, said he is only human and does have a favorite among the three finalists from which Mayor Brandon Johnson will choose over the next 30 days. But, Driver won’t say who it is.“

Under fire for giving away the store, Chicago Park District Superintendent Rosa Escareno is defending the terms of NASCAR’s agreement to rent Grant Park as “consistent with how Lollapalooza was treated when it started.”

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Mayor Johnson's Deputy chief of staff

Acting Civic Federation President Sarah Wetmore believes the election of Brandon Johnson, the most progressive mayor in Chicago history, along with a younger, more liberal City Council has created a host of reform opportunities that were once politically impossible.

After one month of the Brandon Johnson administration, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lavin likes what he sees. But he’s still not yet willing to back any of the $800 million in business taxes Johnson needs to fund the social programs that are key to his anti-violence strategy.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th)

Johnson’s reorganization plan anointed Ald. Walter Burnett as vice-mayor, with a $400,000 budget, allowing him to retain the staff he had as chair of the Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

After 50 years in political reporting, FOX 32's Mike Flannery is retiring. He joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss his storied career and what's next for the veteran journalist.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)

Rich Guidice, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s chief of staff

Anthony Driver, president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

“We definitely don’t expect to make wholesale, universal changes within the city departments…You’re unlikely to see the kind of wholesale changes that…Daley brought in,” said Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Johnson’s mayoral campaign and transition team.

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd)

Campaign manager, Brian Towne, and veteran Democratic political strategist, Joe Trippi, discuss the Vallas campaign while senior advisor, Jason Lee, and Brandon Davis, senior media strategist, discuss the Johnson campaign with Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman.

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the powerful chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee and a key member of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s leadership team, is retiring from City Council but plans to remain in public service in this interview with Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman.

Jim Franczek, City of Chicago's chief labor negotiator

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates said Thursday she expects vanquished mayoral challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia to endorse Brandon Johnson in the April 4 mayoral runoff, bringing Chicago’s fractured family of progressives back together.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleagues, Sun-Times' chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ's political reporter Dan Mihalopoulos to recap Tuesday's historic Mayoral election.

David Axelrod has helped to elect mayors, senators and the nation’s first Black president. While not ready to “write the epitaph” of incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot, he said: “She definitely has a very, very steep uphill climb.”

U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Il.), Chicago mayoral candidate

Mayoral candidate Paul Vallas

Chicago Police Detective Bob Bartlett

Mayoral candidate Ald. Sophia King (4th)

Mayoral challenger Brandon Johnson, the Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer, came out swinging against Garcia and would not commit to supporting Garcia—and re-uniting the fractured family of progressives—if Garcia makes it to the runoff and Johnson doesn’t.

Retiring Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) joined Sun-Times City Hall reporter on Wednesday to discuss his storied career and who he is endorsing for Mayor of Chicago.

Mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times chief polical reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ state and government reporter Dave McKinney to recap the top stories of 2022.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by reporter and columnist Mark Brown and investigative reporter Tim Novak to discuss the long history of the indicted alderperson's relationship with power and the City Council amid his decision to not seek reelection.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by attourney Burt Odelson, who lends his extensive experience in Chicago election law to explain petition challenges, which tend to whittle down the broad field of candidates ahead of Election Day.

Portraying himself as the “coalition-builder” Chicago needs, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Illinois) will join the crowded race for mayor on Thursday determined to defeat incumbent Lori Lightfoot with or without his life-long allies in the Chicago Teachers Union.

Former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st)

The Cook County commissioner said he is running because incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot has failed progressives. “The hopes and desires of working families have been ignored,” Johnson told the Sun-Times.

Paul Vallas

Ald. Matt Martin (47th)

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by long-time Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to discuss his storied political career ahead of his upcoming retirement.

Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd)

Remembering Ramsey Lewis with his son, Rev. Bobby Lewis, and Welz Kauffman, former president and CEO of the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park

The Chicago Bears have had preliminary talks with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state legislators and village trustees in Arlington Heights about the infrastructure help they need to support a $5 billion “stadium-anchored development” and nobody has thrown them for a loss, retiring President Ted Phillips said Friday.

Maurice Cox, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development

A former teacher and an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, Johnson told the Sun-Times he is “humbled by and grateful for the vote of confidence” from working people urging him to run for mayor and he’s “listening.” He promised a final decision in the next few weeks.

Ald. Sophia King (4th) said Thursday she will “not be bullied” out of the race for mayor of Chicago by fears that, with seven Black candidates and a diminished African-American vote, the Black community risks “losing it all.”

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th)

Former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th)

Juanita Irizarry, Executive Director - Friends of the Parks

Lori Post, PhD | What causes mass shootings?

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney to discuss election results and the uphill climb Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey has to win over Illinois voters.

The City Council needs to be “turned upside down” — with its own speaker, parliamentarian and attorney and committee chairs it chooses — to end Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s “dictatorship,” Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said Thursday.

Helene Gayle | Departing Chicago Community Trust CEO

Former Chicago IG Joe Ferguson

Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th)

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to discuss whether Mayor Lightfoot’s curfew rollback will have an impact and what other challenges lie ahead for Chicago.

Chicago's casino | Sun-Times reporters Mitch Armentrout and David Roeder

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) and Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd)

Widows of two CPD officers who died by suicide tell their emotional story

Inspector General Deborah Witzburg

Bill Conway, the billionaire’s son who finished second in the Democratic primary for state’s attorney, said Thursday he’s being urged to run for mayor by business and trade union leaders fed up with Lori Lightfoot and he just might take them up on it.

Paul Vallas

Ald. Nicole Lee (11th)

Millionaire businessman Willie Wilson said Tuesday he will announce April 11 whether or not to reprise his 2019 mayoral campaign against Lori Lightfoot, but his $1.2 million gas giveaway was not a vote-buying prelude to it. Listen to the full conversation here on The Fran Spielman Show.

Sun-Times entertainment critic Richard Roeper joins City Hall reporter and film enthusiast Fran Spielman to discuss his picks for this year's Academy Awards.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez is furious at Lightfoot for granting a tavern license to the Giant Penny Whistle, defying a moratorium along a three-block stretch of Blue Island Avenue. Sigcho-Lopez joined the Pilsen Neighbors Community Council in suing to nullify the license.

State Rep. Kam Buckner

CEO of Hope Chicago Janice Jackson

David Axelrod

Sun-Times' Tim Novak, Mark Brown, and Jon Seidel discuss Patrick Daley Thompson conviction

Jonathan Jackson

Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Erin Harkey

Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd)

Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates wouldn’t say if she’ll challenge Mayor Lori Lightfoot, whom she has said is on a “kamikaze mission to destroy” Chicago Public Schools. But she offered a blistering critique of Lightfoot’s tenure.

Arne Duncan, founder of Chicago CRED | “Creating Real Economic Destiny"

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleagues Tim Novak and Mark Brown to discuss the biggest stories in 2021 from the fall of Mike Madigan to the ongoing violence throughout the city.

Jack Lavin, president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Rob Karr, President of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association

Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris

Ald. George Cardenas (12th)

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Victor Reyes and Burt Odelson to discuss the current state of Chicago's ward map and what changes are currently being negotiated.

As the head of Chicago’s foremost taxpayer watchdog group, Laurence Msall might be expected to urge fiscal caution. But Msall said losing the Bears would be a blow the city should try hard to avoid.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman and investigative reporter Lauren FitzPatrick are joined by Interim General Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer Rosa Escareno to discuss her role in bringing new direction to the recently scandal-ridden Chicago Park District amid sexual misconduct investigations currently surrounding ousted CEO Michael Kelly.

Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleague, retiring editorial page editor Tom McNamee, to discuss his 40 year career in journalism and what's next for him after the Sun-Times.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to discuss his vision for the job including community outreach, school closures, and COVID-19 measures. Sun-Times education reporter Nader Issa later joins to deep-dive the interview with Martinez.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), chairman of the City Council’s Hispanic Caucus and Mayor Lori Lightfoot's former floor leader, said 5,000 of Chicago’s neediest families would have been collecting $500 monthly checks since last spring, if only Lightfoot hadn’t dragged her feet on the ordinance he championed.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, who said he expects Mayor Lightfoot to run again, and when and if she does declare her candidacy, he’ll be among those standing beside her.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by sports columnist Rick Telander to preview the upcoming Chicago Bears season.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin to discuss her determination to reverse lending inequities by depositing tax dollars in smaller, local banks.

Joe Weisberg, ex-CIA officer and Creator, Executive Producer of FX's 'The Americans'

World Business Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett & Budget Director Susie Park to discuss the most recent city budget which revealed a $733 million budget gap and that The Chicago Police Department will spend $150 million on overtime this year.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleague and fellow WLS-AM City Hall reporter Bill Cameron to discuss his storied career covering Chicago politics.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by multi-hyphenate Paul Vallas to discuss his involvement with negotiating the long-awaited FOP contract and urges Mayor Lori Lightfoot to stop using the pandemic as an “excuse” for police hiring slowdown.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) to discuss the passing of the civilian police oversight ordinance and what lessons Sawyer learned from his father, former alderman and mayor of Chicago, Eugene Sawyer.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by exiting Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno as they reflect on her 30 years in public service.

Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt

Ald. Michelle Harris (8th)

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her long-time competitor and friend, former Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass. Topics include their time together covering City Hall, his recent controversies, and what's next for Kass as he launches his own site, johnkassnews.com.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) to discuss remapping of Chicago wards and the upcoming vote to rename Lake Shore Drive for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Sophia King (4th). King says she has the votes to rename Outer Lake Shore Drive for DuSable over Mayor Lightfoot's objections and discusses the termination of the redevelopment agreement that would have kept Mercy Hospital from shuttering.

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno to discuss Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s sweeping pandemic relief package, one element of which is the controversial proposal to permanently cut off liquor sales at 10 p.m.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by President Obama's former senior strategist David Axelrod to discuss mental health awareness and his father's suicide. Axelrod is currently the co-founder and director of the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association, to discuss Mayor Lightfoot's progress as she approaches midterm.

Sun-Times reporters Nader Issa & Lauren FitzPatrick on CPS CEO Janice Jackson

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Mark Kelly to discuss the future of Chicago events as the city begins to open up this summer.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard to discuss the effect the pandemic has had on transit, the safety of riding CTA, Pace and Metra and what customers can expect when ridership returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg to discuss his new role, reflect on his time in baseball and what he thinks of the current Chicago Cubs ball club.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by MarySue Barrett, retiring president of the Metropolitan Planning Council. Barrett said something dramatic needs to be done to rebuild rider confidence after a year-long, work-at-home stretch that left all three mass transit agencies reeling.

Donald Lassere, incoming CEO of the Chicago History Museum

Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety Deborah Witzburg

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Maria Hadden (49th). Hadden, whose ward encompasses Rogers Park and parts of West Ridge, discusses fundraising for hardship payments in the pandemic and why she believes Chicago needs an elected school board.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Fire Commissioner Richard Ford II. Ford said he fully expects to take over another big-city fire department after catching up on sleep and traveling with his wife. He’s already fielding offers from across the country and around the world.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Department Commissioner John Tully and Deputy Commissioner Cole Stallard to discuss the logistics of snow removal and garbage collection during a long period of snow fall and deep freezes.

CTU President Jesse Sharkey & VP Stacy Davis Gates

Retired Chicago Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson

Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)

Chicago White Sox radio play-by-play announcer Len Kasper

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

2020 year in review with Sun-Times reporter Tim Novak and columnist Mark Brown

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago’s health commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, to discuss the city's vaccine plan and when we can expect to return to a more normal way of life.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson to discuss school re-openings and what a safe return will look like in 2021.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by businessman, philanthropist and host of CNBC's "The Profit," Marcus Lemonis, to discuss his recent partnership with Grubhub. Lemonis is attempting to battle food insecurity with the newly established "Plating Change" program through The Lemon-Aid Foundation.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Federation of Labor president Bob Reiter who voiced unwavering support for embattled Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, even though a new federal indictment plunges deeper into Madigan’s once impervious inner-circle. The CFL has an ownership stake in Sun-Times Media.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Budget Committee Chairman Pat Dowell (3rd) to discuss this week's virtual budget meeting and what is in store for the city of Chicago heading into 2021.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel to discuss the presidential election, why he thinks Biden will be victorious and what the potential new administration will have to address when they move in in January.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by incumbent Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to discuss her campaign against challenger Pat O'Brien and what's next for her administration should she be re-elected.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman celebrates 100 episodes as she is joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to discuss the current state of the pandemic and what that means for her newly released city budget.

Chicago Chief Marketing Officer Michael Fassnacht

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Civic Federation President Laurence Msall. He argues that beleaguered Chicago taxpayers and business owners ravaged by the pandemic can’t take any more punishment. Instead, he’s urging the mayor to wield the budget axe.

Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Chris Fusco

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Samir Mayekar, deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development to discuss Chicago's plan to recover from the pandemic.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by legendary journalist Carol Marin to discuss why she's stepping down from on-camera reporting and what she's pursuing in the next chapter of her career.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter and longtime Ravinia attendee Fran Spielman is joined by Welz Kauffman, who will be stepping down as CEO and president of the Ravinia Festival at the end of September after 20 years.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago's City Budget Director Susie Park and Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett to discuss the city's financial recovery and how to recoup the damage done to the budget caused by the pandemic.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to discuss her role in the national Democratic stage and why she's throwing her support behind Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

Sydney Roberts, chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer Luke Figora to discuss what campus life will look like for Northwestern University students this fall.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by City Council Committee on Public Safety chairman Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) to discuss the demands of being a CPD officer and what the future looks like for the country's second largest police force.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney to discuss games without fans in the stands and the future of revenue for the ball club amid the pandemic.

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

Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th)

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.

Reflecting on Mayor Lightfoot's first year in office with BGA President David Greising

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.”

Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) | Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s City Council floor leader

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.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by the new Planning & Development Commissioner Maurice Cox to discuss his plans for Chicago, development on the south and west sides and the Lincoln Yards development deal.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to discuss retirement, life under Mayor Lightfoot and the rape allegation of a powerful lobbyist in Speaker Michael Madigan's inner circle.

FBI investigations, a new administration in Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and a Police Supt. retirement turned firing. Chicago has had a busy news year. Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by reporter Tim Novak and columnist Mark Brown to discuss the year's top stories.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by FOP President Kevin Graham to discuss Supt. Eddie Johnson's firing, the use of body cams and going into arbitration to solidify a police contract.

Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel sits with Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss the 2020 Democratic primary election and Illinois state politics.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Civic Federation President Laurence Msall.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady to discuss mental health clinics, ending HIV in Chicago by 2030 and the effects recreational marijuana may have on the city when it becomes legal Jan. 1.

Chicago Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman is joined in studio by Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates the day after the strike was suspended.

Mayor Lightfoot discusses the ongoing teachers strike, her upcoming budget and possible ride share congestion fees with Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined in studio by Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson to discuss the teachers' contract, school closings and a possible strike.

Ald. Reilly proposes compromise to keep recreational marijuana sales off Michigan Ave., but in Loop.

Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman sits with 9th ward Alderman Anthony Beale to discuss he and Mayor Lightfoot's lack of communication and the possibility of a casino in his ward.

This week Fran Spielman is joined by WLS City Hall reporter Bill Cameron reflecting on 50 years in broadcasting.

Chicago Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman sits down for a conversation with David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association, for this week's installment of The Fran Spielman Show.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s handpicked housing commissioner on Friday bemoaned the $1 billion-plus budget shortfall that takes a promised increase in Chicago’s real estate transfer tax off the table to reduce homelessness and bankroll affordable housing.

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown and reporter Tim Novak join city hall reporter Fran Spielman to break down former union boss John T. Coli's guilty plea in extortion case.

It was announced Wednesday that Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell will scale back her workload but still write periodically for the paper. She joins Fran Spielman to reflect on her 29-year journalism career.

COPA chief administrator Sydney Roberts wants to eliminate the waiting period written into the police contract that critics contend makes it “easy for officers to lie” by giving them 24 hours before providing a statement after a shooting.

This week Sun-Times city hall reporter Fran Spielman sits with Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates.

Sun-Times city hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) to discuss what democratic socialists like himself are bringing to City Council.

Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham sits with Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss the current state of the CPD.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman sits with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia to discuss the reasons for keeping the clerk's office and what changes are being made to ticketing and vehicle stickers.

Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman sits with President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Jack Lavin to discuss new developments that could be on the horizon for high rises and casinos.

Sun-Times city hall reporter Fran Spielman welcomes Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th), Democratic Committeeman of Chicago's 15th Ward, and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), chairman of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus.

Sun-Times city hall reporter Fran Spielman welcomes Aviation Committee chairman Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) and floor leader and economic development committee chairman Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th).

Just days before her inauguration as Chicago's 56th mayor, Lori Lightfoot sat with Sun-Times City Hall Reporter Fran Spielman to discuss her first 100 days, changes in City Council and Chicago’s much-maligned parking meter deal.

The City Council’s most senior aldermen are working to reorganize themselves with a lineup that includes Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) as Finance Committee chairman, a veteran alderman said Friday.

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said Friday he has lined up “around 25” of the 26 votes he needs to become chairman of the City Council’s Finance Committee and outlined an ambitious reform agenda if he claims the job long held by Ald. Edward Burke (14th).

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is giving Lightfoot another piece of sage advice about the unwritten rule that has given the local alderman virtually iron-fisted control over zoning and permitting in the wards.

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown and political reporter Tina Sfondeles join Fran Spielman to discuss Kim Foxx's text messages, the state of Rahm Emanuel's legacy and what Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot has in store for her.  

Inspector General Joe Ferguson said Friday he won’t hesitate to “pull the ripcord” if he thinks his friendship with Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot conflicts with his role as a city watchdog, and he refused to rule out a 2020 race for state’s attorney.

Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot on Friday accused Ald. Edward Burke (14th) of attempting to organize the City Council against her and threatened to expose aldermen who dare to conspire with him.

Eddie Johnson: It’s time to ‘turn the page’ from Smollett fiasco.

Civic Federation president urges new mayor to think big in cutting costs

The Fran Spielman Show: Ray LaHood

Runoff opponents in the race for city treasurer aired their very different views on where to take the office charged with managing the city’s $8 billion portfolio. Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) and State Rep. Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

Toni Preckwinkle came out swinging against her opponent in the April 2 runoff three days after Lightfoot seemingly came out of nowhere to finish first in the field of 14 mayoral candidates.

Lori Lightfoot came out swinging hours after Preckwinkle fired campaign manager Scott Cisek for using a photograph of Nazis on trial at Nuremberg to attack Lightfoot.

The Fran Spielman Show: David Axelrod

Mayoral candidate Gery Chico on Friday rolled out an innovative idea to honor his promise not to put “another brick on the back” of Chicago taxpayers: a special taxing and entertainment district on the west side of O’Hare Airport.

One day after forging their politically potent, inter-generational partnership, Dorothy Brown and Amara Enyia put it to work in an attempt to blow a hole in Preckwinkle’s central argument: that she is a “boss” with the guts to use that strength to deliver for the average Joe.

The Fran Spielman Show: Tim Novak & Mark Brown

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) accused the billionaire Ricketts family that owns the Chicago Cubs of targeting him — and trying to elect a puppet alderman in his place — to pave the way for a “Disneyland” agenda that will make life miserable for Wrigleyville residents.

Calling it a “no-brainer” the City Council’s new Finance Committee chairman on Friday promised quick action to set up the structure for issuing up to $10 billion in pension obligation bonds.

The Fran Spielman Show: Jon Seidel & Tim Novak

The Fran Spielman Show: CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld

The Fran Spielman Show: Toni Preckwinkle

The former Obama presidential adviser, now director and co-founder of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, sat down with the Chicago Sun-Times to discuss the wide-open race to replace Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th) floated a plan to “public-tize” Chicago’s water system by selling or giving away shares to city residents and paying them dividends that would amount to universal basic income.