Hakeem Jeffries wants to squeeze another Democratic seat from Illinois. Ben riffs. Anthony Driver, Jr on why he wants to go to Congress. And how Chicago police tactics compare with ICE’s. And how his high school, named for one of the country’s greatest novelists, turned its library into a detention center. Anthony is a Democratic candidate for Congress in the 7th district and executive director of SEIU Illinois State Council. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A podcaster is upset cause Kat walked off her show. In the category of laughing to keep from crying, Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin details Trump’s terror campaign against America. He shuts down SNAP, obliterates health care and invades Chicago, using ICE goons to terrorize trick or treaters. ICE feasts on federal dollars while children go hungry. A “capital strike” in New York. And a little love for Mayor Johnson. Miles is editor and writer for In These Times.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve heard of the Chicago 7? Now there’s a Chicago 6 as Trump’s Justice Department trumps up a case against local activists. Ben riffs. Heidi Henry returns to give a perspective on how ICE’s invasion is playing in her neck of the woods—LaSalle County. Also, Trump’s impact on farmers. The difference between corporate and family farmers. A word of warning to Dems—every step to the center is a step to the right. Heidi is one of the founders of Illinois Valley Indivisible, a horse trainer, a Heartland Mama and a proud leftie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gregory Pratt—ace reporter for the Tribune and the pride and joy of Little Village—stands up for his city. Ben riffs. Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez takes a moment to express her gratitude for the resistance. While pointing out there is no upside to the ICE Invasion. A few words about Bad Bunny. Rossana is the alderwoman of the 33rd Ward.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump sends in the wrecking crew—literally. Ben riffs. David Faris talks about Trump’s attack on cities and states whose residents dared to vote for Harris. How to respond? The case for a general strike. The No Kings March. And a few words about Platner v Mills in Maine. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt university. Read his essays in The Nation. His views are his own.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D spare no details in their examination of a week’s worth of news. Including…SDG and the IFT, JB and BJ, Pritzker and Trump, Benny and the Bulls, Gambling and the NBA, Rahm and Rahm and more. Stick around to discover the Doctor’s favorite movie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MJ is back, sorta. Ben riffs. Adolfo Mondragon explicates the ICE invasion of his beloved southwest side and makes the case against calling people illegals. And not cause he’s a snowflake. Which spurs an exchange about snowflake as a weapon of destruction. Word of warning to pot heads—you’re also “illegal”. Adolfo is an attorney, who hosts Voices of the Mexican Song—every Thursday from 4-5 pm on WHPK.org. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump seeks $230m from taxpayers as compensation for what? Leading an attempted insurrection? Ben riffs. Jim Coogan on the weaponization of the Justice Department. The fictitious weaponization—imagined by MAGA—versus the real one, led by Trump. Also, the Erez Reuveni whistleblower suit. Stephen A Smith’s false framing. And the Dirty Harry influence on due process. Jim is managing partner of Coogan Gallagher. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Houston’s Mayor John Whitmire says he knows how to deal with Boss Donnie—suck up to him. Ben riffs. And get out your paper and pencils to take notes as Ishan Daya and Julie Dworkin tell you everything you need to know about Mayor Johnson’s budget. Also a word or two about TIFs. Don’t get Ben started. Ishan and Julie are co-founders of the Institute for Public Good, a budget-analysis think tank in Chicago.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump erects a white-people-only sign on the USA. Ben riffs. Antonio Correa answers your MAGA questions. Why Latinos voted for Trump? What do they say about that now? Where is the don’t-tread-on-me-crowd when we need them? Do they really mean tread on them not me? What would he do if ICE came after him? Finally, how did he find his ocean waves? Antonio is a former Marine and a senior digital strategist for Heartland Signal. His views are his own.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben and Dr D confront a week’s worth of lunacy. Starting with…reporters giving grief to Mayor Johnson for spending property tax dollars on schools. Silly mayor, don’t you know that TIF money—which are property tax dollars— are for rich guys? Updates on the ICE invasion. Will any of the mayoral wannabes criticize Trump? Or will they pretend he doesn’t exist? And Governor Pritzker wins $1.4 million at a Vegas blackjack table. Proving, among other things, that life isn’t fair. Also, a shout out to Chickenman. He’s everywhere, he’s everywhere! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ICE invades the Southeast Side. Ben riffs. Jen Sabella on the state of journalism in the age of Trump’s invasion of Chicago. Reporters tear gassed or shot with pellets. Officials deny what you see with your own eyes. FOIA requests ignored. Basic info withheld. In short, the Trumpers make past Chicago’s mayors—even Daley annd Rahm—look like paragons of transparency. America’s not free, if its press is shackled. Even metaphorically speaking. Jen is cofounder and executive editor of Block Club.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump sulks cause he didn’t get the Nobel for bringing “peace” to the Middle East. Ben riffs. Monroe reconsiders his opposition to Trump in the hopes of making big bucks like Steven A. Smith. Then decides—nah, too late for that. Also…the government shutdown, racist young Republicans, Democratic strategists, and the Bears and their stadium. Monroe is a longtime journalist and truth teller. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump’s prosecutorial puppet prosecutes Leticia James. Ben riffs. David Faris runs down the stages of autocracy. We’re currently in the competitive authoritarianism phase. Thanks in part to John Roberts and his Supremes. Imagine a president named, oh, Pritzker behaving like Trump. The Gaza truce. David is a professor of political science at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Newsweek and The Nation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ICE manages to avoid Wrigley Field. Ben riffs. State senator Graciela Guzman talks about Trump’s invasion of Chicago. How Chicago is a testing ground for MAGA messaging and other interventions. Her showdown at the Broadview detention center. The crackdown on academic freedom. And more. Oh, yes—don’t call her “Sporty Spice.” Graciela represents the 20th senatorial district on the northwest side. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chomsky’s wisdom helps explain America’s illogical take on immigration and deportations. Ben riffs. Marc Sims explains everything all at once. Including…why Americans are so illogical about crime, immigrants, Trump’s behavior and deportations. A shout out to Atlanta. Why are Chicagoans so unfriendly? And more. Marc is a podcaster in Chicago. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bari Weiss hits the jackpot, showing millennials how to play the game. Ben riffs. Laurie Glenn contemplates the ability of people to find a justification to embrace policies and politicians they once abhorred. Also, the Democrats and their governmental shutdown strategy, or lack thereof. How about that kid in Texas? That is—State Senator James Talarico. A great debate about Mayor Johnson. Laurie is a political consultant and strategist. 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 shows much love for Alderman Marty Quinn. Ben riffs. Mark Whitaker talks about his new book, The Afterlife of Malcolm X. Which is about what the title says—how the legacy of Malcolm X lives even 60 years after his assassination. So much to discuss so little time. Why is Malcolm as relevant today as he was when he was alive? Was the FBI complicit in his murder? Why did it take so long for two men wrongfully convicted of murdering Malcolm to get exonerated? Why didn’t America care about who killed Malcolm, even as he was revered as an icon? And more…including, Mark’s riffs on Alex Haley, Dr King and Spike Lee. Mark is the former editor of Newsweek and a contributor to CBS Sunday morning. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New York Times fact checker bends over backwards to avoid calling Trump’s lie a lie. Ben riffs. Trump is so autocratically demented, it takes two journalistic legends to explain it all. Jack White joins Monroe to break down everything from the memorial speech to the Tylenol denunciation to the broken United Nations elevator to Kimmel’s stance. And more… See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dave Portnoy, who made his name being politically incorrect, says Jimmy Kimmel went too far. Ben riffs. Holly Kim explains why she’s running for state comptroller. And what she will do if she wins. Get ready for the TIF debate. Holly Kim is treasurer of Lake County, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.