Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast

In this episode of Chicago Contrarian, The Conversation, the panel welcomes Juan Rangal, civic activist and CEO of the Urban Center. In our conversation, we discuss a wide range of subjects, particularly the Urban Center's role in reviving Chicago and the upcoming Board of Education elections.

On Saturday, April 25, two CPD were shot at Swedish Hospital. One was killed; a second was gravely injured. What led to the shooting? What role does the Pre-Trial Fairness Act play in the shooting? WHat role do Cook County judges play? How did moderate Dems. respond to the shooting? We'll discuss.

CTU's day of civic action may have hit an obstacle. CPS parents are now threatening a lawsuit to prevent a "free" day. Mayor Johnson's coveted "millionaires' tax"failed to gain enough traction in the General Assembly. What will the Democrats and Chicago's progressives do next? In another attempt to kneecap SA Eileen O'Neill Burke, activists are now claiming EOB has been compromised in their effort to pursue legal action against federal agents lawfully enforcing immigration law. We'll discuss.

The battle over whether the CPS or CTU will prevail on May 1 intensified this week. Are students being used to front for CTU members' politics or is May 1 a civic exercise? Aldermen in the City Council fail to marshal sufficient support to override a mayoral veto on One Fair Wage. How many jobs will be lost in the next year? Homeless in Chicago parks may soon be allowed to remain indefinitely if the IGA is successful in HB 1492. We'll discuss.

AG candidate Bob Fioretti sits with Contrarian's panelists to discuss his campaign to unseat AG Kwame Raoul.

The family of Adam Toledo, an armed gang member shot dead by Police is suing over his death. Should Toledo's family receive a payout? The Chicago Teachers Union is sponsoring a "walkout" to protest Trump again. The union is calling for students to be excused from class if they choose to participate. The CTU is calling this a learning experience for "civic action." Is it a learning experience or is it another example over how the CTU politicizes schools and uses kids to front for the union's political causes? Nancy Andrade abruptly resigned from her job at City Hall, citing a "hostile" work environment in Mayor Brandon Johnson's City Hall. Is Johnson's administration crumbling apart? We'll discuss.

Mayoral candidate Liam Stanton joined host Jim Bosco, Paul Vallas, and the founder of Contrarian, Florian Sohnke, to discuss his candidacy. Mr. Stanton was asked a broad range of questions on problems confronting the Windy City

An expected report on CPD drew some odd conclusions, mainly over Police Districts' staffing levels. Is manpower properly distributed properly in Chicago? A recent study revealed Cook County taxes have risen at twice the rate of inflation. Is there any end in sight to unmanageable property taxes in Cook County? Unsurprisingly, Mayor Johnson is contending with another flop. With his choice of Walter Burnett given the axe by the CHA Board, Johnson has attempted to dismiss the CHA Board chair. Will the mayor succeed in his ploy to control the CHA? We'll discuss.

The shooting death of a Loyola student by an illegal alien has Chicago in an uproar. Will Gorman's murder finally provoke some real thought among progressives to change their stance on illegals in the city? After Ald. Samantha Nugent entered a proposal to freeze the third step for an increase to Chicago's minimum wage, Mayor Johnson vetoed the measure. What does this mean for the future of hospitality in Chicago? Will restaurants continue to close or will it rebound? After six stabbings in two weeks, CCSA Eileen O'Neill Burke unveiled a task force to help prosecute crime on the CTA. WHere is the mayor? We'll discuss

Primary elections took place on March 17. Who were the big winners and losers? Another contender to become CEO of the CPS has dropped from consideration. Who is left? What is the trouble with seating a CEO to lead the nation's fourth-largest school system? Mayor Johnson dismissed two key public safety aides on Thursday. Why was Garien Gatewood shown the exit? `What does this say about the future of City Hall's anti-crime strategy? We'll discuss.

Mayor Johnson's proposed ordinance creating "Democracy Zones" for elections goes bust. Why? Was the mayor protecting democracy and election integrity or was he attempting to create a path for illegals to vote? Unsurprisingly, the CTU has called for "No Work" day for May 1. The union is billing this as an activity to teach "civic engagement." Is this a learning experience for students or using students to front for the union's political causes? A "coalition" of activists, civil-rights lawyers, and community groups are demanding a judge appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged ICE crimes during "Midway Blitz." Is there an ulterior motive behind this request? We'll discuss.

Earlier this week, Mayor Johnson had "big news" for Chicago. While many were expecting a monumental political or economic development, Johnson had nothing. Is being ranked as the top relocation site for businesses meaningful when Chicago continues to lose businesses? As election day draws closer, we examine the Board of Review race between incumbent Samantha Steele and challenger Liz Nicholson. In the election for Cook County Board president, can Brendan Reilly unseat Toni Preckwinkle or will Toni's dirty gutter politics pull her across the finish line? We'll discuss.

Mayor Johnson flew to Washington, D.C. to offer a rebuttal to the SOTU address. Why? Johnson showed up at a protest to deliver an anti-Trump harangue. Who paid for the trip? Was this official city business? Desperate to deflect from the Tyler Technologies debacle, a nine-page letter rebuking County Treasurer Maria Pappas as a bully was released to media. What is behind the letter? With Preckwinkle on the hot seat, is this the Cook County Board president scrambling to save her reelection campaign? The CPS announced the ACERO Charter Network will lose students due to financial difficulty. What role did the CTU play in ACERO's demise? We'll discuss

After years of threats and months of back-and-forth discussions with state and city leaders, Chicago Bears' management announced the franchise would resettle in neighboring Indiana. Is Chicago going to be without a NFL franchise? Nearly six years ago, Lori Lightfoot capitulated to a mob and removed two statues of Christopher Columbus from Grant and Arrigo parks. The city announced neither would be returned and a figure of Mother Cabrini. Will Columbus ever reappear on Chicago public property again? Chicago magazine's annual Top 50 Most Powerful list was released. Is it accurate or is it a politicized list? We'll discuss.

Newcomer Christian Maxwell declared for Congress in Illinois 1st District. Can she unseat Jonathan Jackson? Panelists with Contrarian quiz the aspiring GOP candidate ahead of the March 17 primary.

In a surprise decision, the Board of Education severed its contract with a search firm hired to vet candidates for the CEO of CPS. Six BOE members asserted the move was done to prevent Mayor Johnson from interfering with the search to replace Dr. Macquline King. With speculation running wild, the White House intends to order ICE back to Chicago, Paul Vallas has ideas for the Trump Administration to do good for Chicago. Mayor Johnson has been coy on his reelection plans. At a City Club address, the mayor hinted at his intent to run for a second term. We'll discuss.

Superintendent of Police Larry Snelling's public comments on interfering with lawful police business. Jordan Powell writes of the impact of his words nationwide and his tenure leading CPD. Mayor Johnson issued an Executive Order last week, which led to SA Eileen O'Neill Burke denying her office supported his action. Was Johnson lying? Probably. The recent OIG report on the CPS over the last year was repugnant. Given the depth of the problems at CPS described in the report, the schooling system needs a full investigation. Is Attorney General Kwame Raoul the man to carry out such an investigation?

A new federal program promises $1 billion in scholarship money is on the table for Illinois' schools. Will Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker take it to improve Chicago's schools? Mayor Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C. this week for a National Press Club event. His comments were only directed at Trump. The mayor falsely claimed federal agents were directed by the White House to "shoot and kill." Will there be a fallout over the mayor's outrageous comment? Chicago is seven weeks out of the primary for Cook County Board president. We'll discuss.

An Inspector General report in early January detailed a wide range of improper conduct, perhaps criminal, among CPS employees. Will authorities finally take action? The CTU was finally exposed for filing misleading annual audit reports after an independent auditor concluded the union omitted the activities of two foundations under the union's supervision. Is the CTU's day of reckoning coming? Are Chicago journalists biased? Chicago Contrarian says yes, and we crowned Heather Cherone the worst journalist for 2025.

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot has launched her "ICE Accountability Project. How effective will her effort be and what is behind it? The trial of an alleged gang member charged with orchestrating an  attempted assassination of ICE Commander Greg Bovino suffers a defeat. AFter a contentious budget debate, Mayor Johnson warns layoffs could come to city government by summer. Is this possible? We'll discuss.

A BOE meeting in late December, board members voted overwhelmingly to raise the levy limit to take in another $40M. Why was the levy limit raised after the CPS received $552M in TIF funds? Following the vote, BOE president Sean Harden fumed over leaks to media over the vote. An investigation was launched. After federal agents fatally shot a woman interfering with immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, Mayor Johnson issued a brief video denouncing the incident and rebuking Trump. Why is Johnson seemingly more concerned with violent incidents outside the city over which he presides as mayor? In an insightful essay, Patrick Dent profiles several progressive aldermen in the City Council and state lawmakers representing the city in the IGA. The thread which binds them together, Dent says, is none have any real, meaningful accomplishments prior to taking office.

Chicago finally reaches a budget deal, but Mayor Johnson refuses to sign. Why is the mayor refusing to endorse a budget deal which gave him 98 percent of what he sought? Cook County Board of Review's Samantha Steele is at the center of another controversy.  Steele's challenger, Liz Nicholson has leveled the accusation Steele attempted to lure Nicholson to drop her bid in exchange for a County job. Nicholson has filed a complaint; Steele denies the charge. Who is telling the truth? Cook County property taxes are outrageous. Complicating matters is the network applied to overhaul of the property tax system has been riddled with problems. Who is to blame? We'll discuss.

In a rebuke to Mayor Johnson, aldermen have passed a budget counterproposal without the Head Tax. Will Johnson veto the budget and shut down city government? Long-time County Board president Toni Preckwinkle released her first campaign video attacking Ald. Brendan Reilly as a MAGA Republican and Trump ally. Will the charge dog Reilly? After a ghastly attack on the CTA, the Trump White House threatened to withhold federal aid until Chicago creates a safety plan for the city's public transit system. The CTA announced dozens of additional CPD will work CTA platforms and private security would be added. Is this sufficient to thwart a dangerous transit system? We will discuss.

Now stretching into its sixth week, the budget stalemate is dragging on. Which side will blink first? Will aldermen with a budget counterproposal cave and allow the mayor to prevail? Can aldermen avoid any defections to prevent the job-killing Head Tax? A federal judge has ruled Cook County's sale tax was unconstitutional.  Will Cook County now be on the hook for a massive settlement? The NAARPR held its annual convention in Chicago in November. The radicals, including Mayor Johnson, didn't hold back any inflammatory language. We;ll discuss.

The embattled Chicago Teachers Union is facing new scrutiny. After five years of refusing to release the Audit Reports, the U. S. House Committee. The Education and the Workforce Committee is requesting that the CTU turn over the long-sought reports. The CTU has pledged to cooperate. Will the union comply with the House? It's been one year since Eileen O'Neill Burke took over as Cook County State's Attorney. We will discuss her record and progress over the last year.

Another mass shooting downtown, Chicago's 62nd, ruins the annual Christmas tree lighting event. Chicago leaders were aware of the teen gathering for the event. Did political leaders do enough to prevent the shooting? How did Mayor Johnson react? The good folks at WBEZ published an article revealing an increase in Chicago Police pointing their weapons at people. Is this a problem? With CPD suffering an increase in attacks with a firearm, is it a surprise officers are forced to remove their firearms more often? Rob Reiter, who heads the Chicago Federation of Labor, is calling on aldermen to consider an increase to property taxes to solve the budget impasse. Is Reiter thinking out loud or is this part of City Hall's strategy to move budget discussions forward?

Mayor Johnson suffered a humiliating defeat when the Finance Cmte. overwhelmingly rejected his tax package. The mayor was defiant after the loss and placed the onus for a solution on aldermen. Will aldermen cave, find a compromise, or will there be a stalemate? After a horrific crime on the CTA, questions about a secure, safe public transit system have reemerged. The mayor insists a repeat offender setting a woman on fire is an isolated incident. Is the CTA safe? What is the mayor's solution to save the CTA after this crime? A fixture in Chicago politics, Maria Pappas, has thrown her hat into the ring for mayor. What does Ms. Pappas bring to the table? Our venerable panel will discuss.

An OIG report revealed CPS employees spent freely on unnecessary trips. Why would CPS employees need to travel abroad? Is this waste, fraud, and abuse the norm at the district? As federal agents reduce their footprint in Chicago, a controversy has developed over what impact their presence had on crime in the city. Have federal agents contributed to lower crime rates? The GOP is essentially non- existent in Chicago. We'll discuss the state of the Republican Party in Chicago.

NYC voted in a socialist to the mayor's office. What are the parallels between Mayor Johnson and Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani? After four terms in the U.S. House, 4th District congressman, Chuy Garcia, will step down. A dark-of-the-night decision, Chuy anointed a top staffer to succeed him. Was Chuy citing health concerns legitimate or did the Little Village congressman deceive voters? What did Chuy accomplish in his four terms on Capitol Hill? In a brilliant essay published in Contrarian, Paul Vallas describes how progressives have adopted a policy of replacing residents who exit the state with illegal immigrants. The results of the this policy, Vallas says, will be catastrophic for the state.

Mayor Brandon Johnson objected to the use of the term "illegal alien" at a press conference last weekend. After rebuking the reporter, Johnson followed days later by invoking slavery. What is Johnson's purpose? Students at two Chicago public schools staged a walkout last week over ICE immigration operations in Chicago. Where would students, some as young as 14, get the idea to protest a political issue? Is this part of a pattern? What role did the CORE caucus or media play in the student walkout? Social media influencer and Progressive candidate for the 9th congressional district Kat Abughazaleh was indicted for allegedly obstructing federal agents at the ICE facility in Broadview. Is Kat in serious trouble? How will this affect her campaign for Congress?

On today's episode, panelists will explore the meaning behind the "No Kings" rally in Chicago. What was the purpose, if any, and how many truly showed. Governor JB Pritzker poured cold water all over Mayor Johnson's proposed Head Tax. The governor, who is no fan of Chicago, claimed it's a job killer. Is Mr. Pritzker on to something? Chicago Teachers Union Grand Poohbah Stacy Davis Gates was elected to lead the Illinois Federation of Teachers. How will her assuming control over the IFT affect education statewide? How will suburban and downstate schools take to her style of leadership? Will Stacy do the same damage to state schools as she has done to Chicago public schools?

Mayor Johnson unveiled his 2026 budget, the "Protecting Chicago" spending plan. Unsurprisingly, the budget is awash in tax increases. How will his proposals impact residents and businesses? The mayor has often stated his progressive policies are the singular reason for reductions in crime. While crime has fallen, the drops to crime Chicago has experienced began in January 2025.  Are Mayor Johnson's policies the reason for crime's decline, or are there other factors? Alderman Raymond Lopez is proposing conditional amnesty for illegal immigrants. Is amnesty worth considering at this point?

The Chicago City Council weighed a resolution calling for an apology for slavery. In Paul Vallas' reasoned response, the former mayoral candidate says if any apology is to be delivered, it should be Democrats offering contrition for policies which have crushed Chicago's black community. ICE agents were assaulted by anti-ICE activists. What unfolded was the norm for progressive lawmakers: Denial of a problem, inflammatory comments about ICE operations, and no condemnation of protesters. Respected Chicago businessman Willie Wilson wrote a thoughtful piece in the Tribune.  Is Jim Crow returning to the Windy City? Maria Pappas' poll says she has an advantage over likely mayoral candidates. It also reveals Mayor Johnson has lost the lakefront and support among blacks and Hispanics in Chicago. We will discuss.

The Chicago Teacher Union memorialized a convicted cop killer on its official X account. The union faced a heated backlash but did not delete the message. Chicago media is in the midst of publishing a cascade of pro-illegal immigration articles. How much influence does Chicago media have in shaping public opinion on this issue? Danny Davis will leave his seat in Congress in January 2027. For the first time in decades, the 7th District seat is open. 16 primary candidates have lined up to succeed Davis. The panel will discuss the race.

Restaurants in Chicago are suffering. A major part of the city's economy, what is provoking the decline? The industry barely recovered post-COVID. Is there a pathway for restaurants to flourish again? Last week, Mayor Johnson defined law enforcement a "sickness. " What did the mayor mean? Was the mayor misunderstood, caught in an unscripted moment, or was the mayor revealing his true view of police, the prosecution of crime, courts and the prison system? The mayor's comments caused a backlash from supporters of Chicago Police and evinced a response from State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke. We will discuss. The Chicago Public Schools sacked its network chiefs and all assistants. Though this was presented as a cost-cutting measure to save millions in the troubled school system, employees can reapply for their jobs. Were the firings carried out in

The Financial Future Task Force has submitted its recommendations to solve Chicago's yawning budget gap. What are the suggestions the task force advanced? Are Contrarian's panelists surprised with the proposals? Paul Vallas wrote an essay on media bias in reporting on Chicago Police. Is the Chicago media biased in its reporting on law enforcement issues? Who are the worst offenders? How does this perceived bias influence subscribers or news consumers? The mayor exploded at a mayoral press availability on Wednesday.  What did the mayor mean when he said "Jails and incarceration and law enforcement are a sickness that has not led to safe communities.?" We'll discuss.

After 24 years leading Cook County Courts, Timothy Evans was unseated as chief judge by fellow judges. What is the significance of his ouster? What changes can be expected with new leadership over Cook County courts? 42nd Ward alderman, Brendan Reilly, announced his campaign to challenge Toni Preckwinkle for president of the Cook County Board. Preckwinkle vulnerable? What does Reilly need to do to depose the all-powerful Boss Toni? Does Reilly have a pathway to victory? The CTU is in court fighting one of its own members over annual Audit Reports. We will give some background on the matter and update the audience on the progress in court. Will the decision in this court case finally lead to the toppling of the CORE Caucus?

In response to President Trump considering sending the National Guard to Chicago, Democratic lawmakers respond. We will discuss how Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson and state Democratic leaders reacted. The CTU is up to no good again. The union is now floating the idea of remote learning in response to federal agents arriving in Chicago.  Is remote learning necessary? How will it work? The race to replace long-time 9th District representative, Jan Schakowsky, is continuing to develop. Who are the candidates?

After a marathon meeting, the Board of Education passes a budget opposed by the CTU. With the passage of the budget, who were the winners and losers in the budget battle? M3 Strategies' new poll reveals Chicago residents are opposed to the National Guard, but a majority of black and Hispanicresidents want federal agents conducting law-enforcement operations here.  How does this poll conflict with Mayor Johnson's position on policing vs. CVIs? The possibility of Rep. Mike Quigley jumping into the 2027 mayoral race grew this week. Who are likely mayoral candidates? Finally, President Trump considers sending the National Guard to Chicago. Is this the best solution to Chicago's scourge of crime? What are the alternatives?

Paul Vallas is calling for a consent decree for the Cook County/City of Chicago justice system. Is this necessary? How could it work?  What would Mayor Johnson do to prevent the Trump DOJ from imposing a consent decree on Chicago? Toni Preckwinkle is seeking reelection. At age 78, is she still a viable candidate to return to lead Cook County for a fifth term? What is her legacy as Board president and Cook County Democrat leader? CPS funding fight. Who is at fault for CPS' budget deficit? Does the State of Illinois owe Chicago's schooling system $1.6B?

The Chicago Public Schools submitted its budget. How did the CPS cover its massive budget shortfall? Is CPS' fiscal dislocation a lost cause or can the schools recover? State's Attorney Judge Eileen O'Neill Burke will not bring charges against four officers in the fatal shooting of armed motorist, Dexter Reed. What does this mean for officers involved? Should the lawsuit filed on Reed's estate against Chicago move forward?