John Williams

Michael O’Brien, Chicago Sun-Times High School Sports Editor, joins John Williams to talk about a number of prep football stories including Loyola’s great running back, Brother Rice’s outstanding freshman quarterback, the upcoming playoff brackets, and the big games to watch this weekend.

Local farmer John Andermann, President of the Will County Farm Bureau, joins John Williams to talk about how the harvest season is going right now, the precision of farming, the cost of a new combine, what an acre of land typically goes for in the area, how much a farmer can make on an acre of […]

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Today, Lou offers tips on how to control those pesky rodents that you are seeing around your house. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

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

The great Mr. Cat Dave Eanet joins John Williams to reflect on the life and legacy of legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka, who passed away at age 86.

Attorney Rich Lenkov, Capital Member of Downey Lenkov Milstein Kus, joins John Williams to talk about the death of Mike Ditka. Rich produced a documentary about the ’85 Bears. Watch “85: The Greatest Team In Football History” here.

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about the unsurprising consumer sentiment data, the lingering inflation concerns, what areas of the stock market he’s bullish on, the volatility of the price of oil, and if he expects a relief rally after the midterm elections.

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

The great broadcaster Wayne Larrivee joins John Williams to reflect on the life and legacy of legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka, who passed away at age 86. Larrivee, currently the voice of the Green Bay Packers, was WGN Radio’s play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bears during their 1985 championship season including Super Bowl XX in […]

Dan Hampton joins John Williams to reflect on the life and legacy of Coach Mike Ditka, who passed away at the age of 86.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about the amount of immigration cases that have popped up in recent months, what he’s hearing about the administration deploying election monitors, his work securing the restoration of specialized LGBTQ services at the national crisis and suicide hotline, his work fighting discrimination, and if he thinks the Democrats will […]

Calling all Parrot Heads! From October 8th until November 1st, Music Theater Works presents ‘Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville’ ! Director and choreographer Brenda Didier joins John Williams to talk about the show, which is described as an “uplifting, joyful, and highly participatory experience.” Listen to learn more about it! https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8765109/8765109_2026-10-08-195509.64kmono.mp3 Get your tickets at […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com. Joining John and Andy for this special edition of Speed Jokes is Tom and Lora Dubin, who won a charity auction that supported the Museum of Broadcast Communications!

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, long-time Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals begin the podcast with White Sox Fever! Next, the Rascals break down President Trump’s controversial comments about the war in Iran, and saying, ‘let […]

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions.

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about mortgage rates hitting a fresh 3-year high, and what that rate will do to home sales, and why we need to concerned about credit card delinquency and high foreclosure rates. And as always, David answers all of your questions. David hosts “Home […]

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

Tony LaPalio, Founder / CEO, Senior Tech Support, joins John to talk about the invaluable services they provide, why he started the business, how they help older adults use technology, what they typically do for their clients, the counties they serve in the area, the high number of repeat customers they help, and their plans […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the magical White Sox season, the Chicago City Council finance committee approving a $260M police misconduct settlement, Chicago’s declining crime rates, and why he doesn’t think candidates who are running for two offices are ‘double-dipping.’

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about how concerned we should be about a potential case of pneumonic plague in Russia after a laboratory worker who studied the disease died. Dr. Kopin also talks about how long you should stay isolated if you […]

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

Bob Kustra, former Illinois lieutenant governor, state legislator and president of Boise State University, joins John Williams to talk about his Tribune Op-ed about the four beluga whale deaths at the Shedd Aquarium and why he believes ‘the time for imprisoning them for our entertainment or “education” has passed.’

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson joins John Williams to talk about his recent Op-ed in the Tribune about why he supports data centers in his town.

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. With the beautiful weather this week, Lou says it’s time to tackle your fall pruning! And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 […]

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal and member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John Williams and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of September 2026! John has a few that he likes, too! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to talk about what’s going on with the market, what to expect from the economic data that will be released soon, how the war in Iran continues to impact the economy, what’s the safest thing to […]

Dr. Jennifer Obel, a retired oncologist who writes about the intersection of medicine, ethics and public policy, joins John Williams to talk about her Tribune Op-ed about the Cornell sexual assault case and what she wants every young woman to know if they’ve been a victim of sexual assault.

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about what we know about the attack on the Flydubai flight to Israel, and the latest on the botched execution in Tennessee.

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

David Byrne, the legendary musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker, joins John Williams to talk about the Goodman Theatre production of ‘Theater of the Mind.’ David talks about the production and the uniqueness of the venue, how the show has many layers, the way the show was created, what he wants people to come away […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about her Apple Tasting Score Sheet! Dawn helps you find the perfect apple for your specific taste. And as always, Dawn answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Steve Bertrand, host of the Steve Bertrand on Books podcast and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel, and Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago. This week the podcast begins with Jon Hansen’s recap of his work at the Presidents Cup golf tournament and having the opportunity to […]

Jean Iversen, freelance writer and editor, and author of ‘Local Flavor: Restaurants That Shaped Chicago’s Neighborhoods,’ joins John Williams to tell the story about getting her bike stolen and why she decided to not press charges when she confronted the person who had the bike.

Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse.

We are ‘Keeping it Green’ with Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions.

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

Chicago trial attorney Karen Conti, Founding Partner, Conti & Dolan Law, and host of the Karen Conti Show on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to break down what we learned from today’s Lindsay Clancy hearing.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the relationship between dementia and how long someone might live, the reaction some people get from the shingles vaccine, how the hospital is now starting to see flu patients, how long a flu shot lasts, and […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about some various sports stories from the weekend including the sportsmanship Scottie Scheffler displayed when he conceded a 30-foot putt to his opponent after a heckler screwed up his opponent’s shot at the Presidents Cup, the unsportsmanlike conduct by a USC player and a […]

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

Longtime Chicago radio veteran Harvey Wells, founder, Lower Tech Bills, tells John what you need to know if you want to watch the Cubs and Sox in the MLB playoffs this week.

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

Our 2026 Chicagoland’s Best Delis Tournament, sponsored by The Puckered Pickle Company, Turano Baking Company and Koops’ Mustard, started with 64 Chicago area delis and sandwich shops. After more than 50,000 votes over 3 weeks, we have a champion! WGN Radio’s bracketologist and co-host of the Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast joined John Williams and […]

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about the key takeaways from President Trump meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Connell also talks about the Trump administration banning a few news organizations from the White House.

Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about the stock market rallying today, his thoughts on Meta’s Muse AI, how AI is changing the global economy, the overall resiliency of the market, why he supports the Fed decision to raise interest rates, and the importance of having a […]

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

Thomas Deegan, Village Trustee, Schiller Park, joins John Williams to talk about his previous position working as the Chief of the Schiller Park Fire Department, where Schiller Park is located, what the vibe of the town is like, the benefits of being so close to O’Hare Airport, the easy access to major expressways, the advantages […]

Gary Magenta, Chief Pot Stirrer, The Magenta Mix, and author of ‘Blowing Up the Box: Disrupting the Customer Experience,’ joins John Williams to discuss the future of data centers and AI. Gary talks about the major concerns people have about data centers, how fast technology is changing, the challenge of putting up guardrails while still […]