
Location:
Chicago, IL
Genres:
News
Description:
The John Williams Podcast from 720 WGN
Twitter:
@wgnkingjohn
Language:
English
Listen on a live station
Episodes
Jessica Mayle: Passports can be used forever in place of Real ID
5/2/2025
Jessica Mayle, Regional Spokesperson and Public Affairs Specialist at Transportation Security Administration, chats with WGN’s John Williams about Real ID compliance at the airport. Jessica explains the Global Entry program and how it can be used as an acceptable form of ID. Jessica also talks about the ID requirements for TSA PreCheck.
Connell McShane: Trump has flexibility on almost every issue except for trade
5/2/2025
NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to discuss the current tariff and economic situation in the United States. Connell also talks about how small business are affected by today’s economic decisions.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, The Best Of, 5.2.25
5/2/2025
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!
Michael Phillips reflects on the 50th anniversary of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’
5/1/2025
Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the 50th anniversary of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail,’ and to share his thoughts on the Oscars introducing a Best Stunt Design category.
Best of the Midwest: There’s something for everyone in Springfield!
5/1/2025
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, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head down south to the great state capital of Illinois! Joining John […]
Dawn Jackson Blatner: Drink more low-sugar mocktails
5/1/2025
Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the importance of diet and exercise, why you should separate diet and exercise, a new study that shows that people who drank 8 or more drinks per week had 133% increased risk of having brain injury that is associated with memory and thinking issues (compared […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part CML, 5.1.25: What were the best jokes of April?
5/1/2025
Marge Sipla, Speed Jokes spirit animal, cataloger and Member of the Speed Jokes Committee, joins John and the gang to give us her favorite Speed Jokes of April 2025! What was your favorite joke this month? And as always, John brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com
The Mincing Rascals 4.30.25: Durbin’s successor, Trump 100 days, Amazon tariffs, plastic ban
4/30/2025
The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute (sign up for his new Substack!), longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing the odds that Governor Pritzker becomes president, former governor Rod Blagojevich makes a run for Illinois senator, […]
Elder law attorney Kerry Peck: ‘Signature for sex’ cases are a stunning epidemic
4/30/2025
Elder law attorney Kerry Peck joins John Williams to answer all your questions about elder law, trusts, wills, and elder abuse. Kerry tells John about ‘signature for sex’ cases, and to share his thoughts on Bill Belichick’s interview with CBS. Does Kerry believe Belichick is cognitively impaired?
Landscape expert Bob Bertog: Time to start your weekly mowing
4/30/2025
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. Bob says it’s time to start your weekly mowing, and it’s still not too late to do your spring cleanup.
Will Rep. Krishnamoorthi run for Durbin’s senate seat?
4/30/2025
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) joins John Williams to talk about his political future and if he intends to run for Senator Durbin’s senate seat. Rep. Krishanamoorthi says he will have an announcement soon. The congressman also talks his ‘tariff tour,’ and what he’s hearing from his constituents.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part CMXLIX, 4.30.25
4/30/2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin: Don’t ignore symptoms that are potentially serious
4/29/2025
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about WGN-TV’s Mike Lowe’s battle with cancer, and the importance of getting checked out if you think something might be wrong. Dr. Kopin also tells John if he believes any possible funding cuts by the Trump administration could impact the […]
Eric Zorn: Will Blagojevich run for Durbin’s senate seat?
4/29/2025
Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the possibility of disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich running for Dick Durbin’s senate seat, Governor Pritzker’s speech in New Hampshire over the weekend, and his thoughts on Governor Pritzker and Sen. Duckworth already endorsing Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton for Durbin’s seat.
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part CMXLVIII, 4.29.25
4/29/2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.
Why the U.S. hasn’t made progress in reducing gun violence
4/28/2025
Jens Ludwig, the Edwin A. and Betty L. Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker Director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and author of ‘Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence,’ joins John Williams to talk about why he […]
Lou Manfredini: How to get more power out of your shower
4/28/2025
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 you can get more power out of your shower with a simple, two-step process. And as always, Lou answers all of your home improvement questions. Listen to HouseSmarts Radio on WGN each Saturday morning at […]
John Williams brings you a round of Speed Jokes, Part CMXLVII, 4.28.25
4/28/2025
John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.
Brian The Cash Man: How much is your collectible really worth?
4/25/2025
Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen to discuss items that could be worth money. Looking to sell an old watch or jewelry that you have around the house? What about a highly sought after trading card? Do you have some World War II or World’s Fair memorabilia? Brian answers your […]
Connell McShane: Trump believes tariffs will be effective long-term
4/25/2025
NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins Jon Hansen to talk about how President Trump has impacted market movement, Trump’s belief that his tariff policy will ultimately be effective, polls showing that most people disapprove of Trump’s handling of the economy, and what that means for him politically.