John Williams

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen to talk about the latest on the government shutdown. Who has the upper hand in the negotiations? Connell breaks it all down.

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!

Bill Geiger, President and CEO of Geiger Wealth Management, joins Jon Hansen to talk about National Retirement Security Month, the importance of creating a secure retirement plan, and the three most important jobs to do to prepare for retirement.

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about a good snack food for ‘nervous eating,’ what to know about intermittent fasting, and the results of a new study that shows how many daily steps you need for the best health benefits. Dawn also answers all of your health […]

It’s time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, Jon Hansen (in for John Williams) has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we stay in the city of Chicago and visit […]

Mack Liederman, Reporter, Block Club Chicago, joins Jon Hansen to talk about federal agents raiding an apartment building in South Shore. Mack describes what happened during the raid, how many people were detained, why the agents raided this particular building, and how the people were treated during the raid.

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

The Mincing Rascals this week are Jon Hansen of WGN Radio and Block Club Chicago, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and The Last Ward, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals start the show this week talking about federal agents marching through downtown Chicago. Is there a long-term goal that the Trump […]

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says that we will still see some good fall colors this year!

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the impact of a government shutdown, U.S. private companies losing 32,000 jobs in September, what you need to know about a HELOC, and to answer all of your real estate and mortgage questions. David hosts “Home Sweet Home […]

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

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about why workplace values are holding up some younger workers. Segment 2: Philippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins Jon to talk about new trend where companies are either holding on to seasoned CEOs in their later 60s and […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins Jon Hansen to talk about the importance of pregnant women getting their doctor recommended vaccinations, why flu-related encephalopathies are on the rise, ‘nightmare bacteria’ cases increasing in the U.S., and a drug made from marijuana reducing back pain.

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

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Jon Hansen to talk about U.S. Border Patrol agents marching in downtown Chicago over the weekend. Why does Eric think the administration is doing this? Is this just the first step of the Trump administration not giving up power?

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins John Williams to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou says it’s time to do any exterior painting and caulking before the winter cold comes. Lou also answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at 6 am.

Kelly Leonard, Vice President, Creative Strategy, Innovation and Business Development at The Second City and host of the “Getting to Yes, And…” podcast, joins John Williams to talk about a recent podcast discussion he had with Colin M. Fischer about his new book, “The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups.” Kelly explains the origin […]

Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John Williams and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of September 2025! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com

The great anthem singer Jim Cornelison joins John Williams to talk about his rendition of the national anthem on a recent Monday Night Football game between the Bears and Vikings that broke the internet. Jim will be singing this weekend with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. An Opera Afternoon with Jim Cornelison will be on September […]

Joie Chitwood, Executive Director for the Presidents Cup 2026, joins John Williams to tell us everything we need to know about the 2026 Presidents Cup golf tournament coming to Medinah Country Club next September. You can get your tickets now by clicking here!