All Episodes
The Fran Spielman Show — 369 episodes
Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd)
Chicago lobbyist John Kelly on his mayoral run, crime, and city finances
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley
David Axelrod on Chicago’s Mayoral Race, Democratic Party Shifts, and the 2026 Political Landscape
Alexi Giannoulias
Chicago Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda and Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
Joe Ferguson on Chicago’s parking meter transfer, budget shortfalls, CPS cuts, and pension risk
Ald. Marty Quinn (13th)
Matthew Brewer
Dr. Lisa Nee
Susana Mendoza
Emmanuel Andre, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety
State Rep. Kam Buckner
Chicago Transportation Commissioner William Cheaks Jr.
Mayor Brandon Johnson
Zoning Committee Chair Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
FOP President John Catanzara
John Kass
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg
Chicago’s acting CFO Steve Mahr: Bonds, budget tensions, and pension strategy
Breaking down Illinois’ St. Patrick’s Day election results
Ravinia Festival president and CEO Jeff Haydon
Oscar Predictions: ‘Sinners’ vs. ‘One Battle After Another,’ with Richard Roeper
Rep. Kam Buckner
Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson
Commissioner Ivan Capifali | Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Debating video gaming terminals: Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) & Ald. Walter "Red" Burnett (27th)
Cristina Pacione-Zayas | Mayor Brandon Johnson's Chief of Staff
Boosting Chicago tourism amidst challenges: Insights from Choose Chicago's Kristen Reynolds and Guy Chipparoni
Bears fever: A post-season deep dive with Rick Telander & Marc Ganis
Congressman Mike Quigley
David Greising, CEO of the Better Government Association
Year-End Review: Chicago and Illinois politics in 2025
Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson
Navigating the future of Chicago's stadiums with Eleanor Gorski
Chicago Federation of Labor president Bob Reiter
Honoring veterans: A conversation with Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
CTA's future: Funding, expansion, and security with acting president Nora Leerhsen
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch defends revenue choices made in $1.5B mass transit bail-out
In-depth analysis of Mayor Brandon Johnson's $16.6 billion budget proposal
Discussing Chicago's budget with Mayor Johnson's senior adviser Jason Lee
Chicago alderpersons discuss the impact of Trump's immigration crackdown
Crane Kenny, Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations | Advancing to the NLDS
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) takes on Cook County leadership
Chicago anchorman Bill Kurtis reflects on his career in journalism
A New Generation in Chicago Politics: Walter "Red" Burnett’s Vision for Change
Financial crisis and governance challenges in Chicago: A conversation with Congressman Mike Quigley
Commissioner for Chicago Department of Aviation Michael McMurray on O'Hare expansion
Kam Buckner on Illinois politics and policies
Navigating Chicago's Budget: A Conversation with senior mayoral advisor Jason Lee
Remembering Ryne Sandberg with Pat Hughes & "Ryno" himself
Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) Reflects on 30 Years in Chicago Politics and Future Plans
David Axelrod on Chicago Politics, Mayor Johnson's Challenges, and Democratic Party Prospects
Ray Long Reflects on a Storied Career in Journalism
WBBM's Craig Dellimore: Reflections on a Legendary Career in Journalism
A Father's Day Special with Mayor Brandon Johnson, Rahm Emanuel, and Congressman Chuy Garcia
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling
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
A Conversation with Filmmaker John Block
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)
Chicago School Board Resignation and Budget Crisis Explained
Jordan Abudayyeh, departing Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications and Strategic Media for Gov. JB Pritzker
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th), Zoning Committee Chair, Vice-Mayor and City Council Dean
Anthony Driver Jr. on Public Safety, Police Accountability, and Community Concerns
Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd)
City of Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman
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
Former United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun
Analyzing the Republican National Convention
Bill Daley | Former U.S. Commerce Secretary and former White House chief of staff
Julie Giese, President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Course
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
Ralph Clark, CEO of SoundThinking, Inc., the company behind ShotSpotter
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
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th)
Jeffrey Haydon, president and chief executive officer of the Ravinia Festival
Primary election preview with Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles & WBEZ's Dave McKinney
Ald. William Hall (6th)
Let's talk Oscars 2024 with Richard Roeper
Rob Karr, President and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association
Former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson
Il. House Speaker Chris Welch
David Goldenberg, Anti-Defamation League Midwest Regional Director
Mike Glasser & Farzin Parang | The case against Bring Chicago Home
Emma Tai | Leading Mayor Brandon Johnson's Bring Chicago Home referendum campaign
Chicago City Comptroller Chasse Rehwinkel
Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood
2023 Year in Review with Sun-Times reporters Tim Novak & Tina Sfondeles
Michael Fassnacht, retiring CEO of World Business Chicago
Sun-Times reporter David Roeder
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd)
Senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee
Budget Director Annette Guzman
United States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)
Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates
Interim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller
Andre Vasquez, Chairman of the City Council's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights
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
Chicago Park District Superintendent Rosa Escareno
Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Mayor Johnson's Deputy chief of staff
Acting Civic Federation President Sarah Wetmore
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lavin
Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th)
Vice-Mayor, Ald. Walter Burnett (27th)
FOX 32's Mike Flannery
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
Jason Lee, a senior adviser to mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s mayoral campaign and transition team
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd)
Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson camps discuss their path to victory
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th)
Jim Franczek, City of Chicago's chief labor negotiator
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates
Mayoral election recap | Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos
David Axelrod weighs in on the race for Chicago Mayor
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 candidate Brandon Johnson
Retiring Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th)
Mayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green
2022: A year in review | Political reporters Tina Sfondeles and Dave McKinney
Sun-Times reporters discuss the legacy of Ald. Edward Burke (14th)
Chicago election law expert Burt Odelson
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
Former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st)
Brandon Johnson joining crowded race for mayor
Paul Vallas
Ald. Matt Martin (47th)
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall
Secretary of State Jesse White
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
Ted Phillips, Chicago Bears President & CEO
Maurice Cox, Commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development
Brandon Johnson
Ald. Sophia King (4th) running for mayor
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?
Debriefing Illinois Primary Results | Tina Sfondeles and Dave McKinney
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)
Helene Gayle | Departing Chicago Community Trust CEO
Former Chicago IG Joe Ferguson
Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th)
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
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
Paul Vallas
Ald. Nicole Lee (11th)
Dr. Willie Wilson
Richard Roeper talks Oscars 2022
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th)
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)
CTU VP Stacy Davis Gates
Arne Duncan, founder of Chicago CRED | “Creating Real Economic Destiny"
Chicago news year in review with Tim Novak and Mark Brown
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)
Ward remapping | Consultants to City Council's Hispanic Caucus Victor Reyes and Burt Odelson
Civic Federation president Laurence Msall
Interim Chicago Park District Chief Rosa Escareno
Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallard
Sun-Times editorial page editor Tom McNamee
CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, analysis with Nader Issa
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th)
Rick Telander | Chicago Bears season preview
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin
Joe Weisberg, ex-CIA officer and Creator, Executive Producer of FX's 'The Americans'
World Business Chicago CEO Michael Fassnacht
Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett & Budget Director Susie Park
Bill Cameron to retire after 51 years in journalism
Paul Vallas
Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th)
Rosa Escareno returns | Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection Commissioner
Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt
Ald. Michelle Harris (8th)
John Kass
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd)
Ald. Sophia King (4th)
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch
Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Commissioner Rosa Escareno
David Axelrod
David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
Sun-Times reporters Nader Issa & Lauren FitzPatrick on CPS CEO Janice Jackson
Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner Mark Kelly
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx
Regional Transit Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard
Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg
MarySue Barrett, retiring president of the Metropolitan Planning Council
Donald Lassere, incoming CEO of the Chicago History Museum
Deputy Inspector General for Public Safety Deborah Witzburg
Ald. Maria Hadden (49th)
Retiring Chicago Fire Commissioner Richard Ford II
Talking snow with Streets & Sanitation Commissioner John Tully and Deputy Commissioner Cole Stallard
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
Dr. Allison Arwady | Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia
CPS CEO Janice Jackson
Marcus Lemonis
Bob Reiter | President, Chicago Federation of Labor
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) | Budget Committee Chairman
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Mayor Lori Lightfoot | 100th Episode
Chicago Chief Marketing Officer Michael Fassnacht
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall
Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Chris Fusco
Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Neighborhood Development
Carol Marin | Award-winning journalist on the next chapter of her career
Welz Kauffman, retiring Ravinia president and CEO
Chicago City Budget Director Susie Park & Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on The Democratic National Convention
Sydney Roberts, chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability
How students will return to Northwestern | Luke Figora, Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), chairman of the Committee on Public Safety
Chicago Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney
CTU President Jesse Sharkey and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates
Former U.S. Secretary of Education and former CPS CEO Arne Duncan
Chicago Cubs play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes
Commissioner Rosa Escareno | Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
Ald. Michael Scott Jr. (24th)
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jack Lavin
Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner Gia Biagi
FOP President John Catanzara
Reflecting on Mayor Lightfoot's first year in office with BGA President David Greising
Mayor Lori Lightfoot | The plan to reopen Chicago
FOP President Kevin Graham
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) | Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s City Council floor leader
Dr. Allison Arwady | Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle
Sam Toia & Michael Jacobson | Illinois Restaurant Association and Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Pat O'Brien | Republican candidate for Cook County State's Attorney
Sun-Times Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet
Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Cook County State's Attorney candidate Bob Fioretti
Cook County State's Attorney candidate Donna More
Cook County States Attorney candidate Bill Conway
Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck
Finance Committee Chairman Scott Waguespack
Planning & Development Commissioner Maurice Cox
Retiring Illinois Senate President John Cullerton
Chicago news of 2019, a year in review | Tim Novak and Mark Brown
Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park
Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham
Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Civic Federation President Laurence Msall
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady
CTU President Jesse Sharkey & VP Stacy Davis Gates
Mayor Lori Lightfoot
CPS CEO Janice Jackson
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd)
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Bill Cameron, WLS political editor and City Hall reporter
The Fran Spielman Show: David Greising, president and CEO of the Better Government Association
The Fran Spielman Show: Chicago Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara
The Fran Spielman Show: Sun-Times reporter Mark Brown & Tim Novak on union boss John T. Coli
The Fran Spielman Show: Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell
The Fran Spielman Show: COPA chief administrator Sydney Roberts
The Fran Spielman Show: CTU President Jesse Sharkey and Vice President Stacy Davis Gates
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham
The Fran Spielman Show: City Clerk Anna Valencia
The Fran Spielman Show: Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th) and Ald. Jason Ervin (28th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) & Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Anthony Beale (9th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd)
The Fran Spielman Show: Mayor Rahm Emanuel 3 weeks before leaving office
The Fran Spielman Show: Sun-Times reporters Tina Sfondeles and Mark Brown
The Fran Spielman Show: Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson
The Fran Spielman Show: Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot
The Fran Spielman Show: CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson
The Fran Spielman Show: Laurence Msall
The Fran Spielman Show: Ray LaHood
The Fran Spielman Show: Melissa Conyears-Ervin and Ameya Pawar
The Fran Spielman Show: Toni Preckwinkle
The Fran Spielman Show: Lori Lightfoot
The Fran Spielman Show: David Axelrod
The Fran Spielman Show: Gery Chico
The Fran Spielman Show: Amara Enyia & Dorothy Brown
The Fran Spielman Show: Tim Novak & Mark Brown
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Tom Tunney (44th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Pat O'Connor
The Fran Spielman Show: Jon Seidel & Tim Novak
The Fran Spielman Show: CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld
The Fran Spielman Show: Toni Preckwinkle
The Fran Spielman Show: David Axelrod
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Susana Mendoza
The Fran Spielman Show: Willie Wilson
The Fran Spielman Show: Dorothy Brown
The Fran Spielman Show: Bill Daley
The Fran Spielman Show: Amara Enyia
The Fran Spielman Show: Rahm Emanuel
The Fran Spielman Show: Troy LaRaviere
The Fran Spielman Show: Gery Chico
The Fran Spielman Show: Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th)
The Fran Spielman Show: Ja'Mal Green
The Fran Spielman Show: Paul Vallas
The Fran Spielman Show: Lori Lightfoot