WGN - The John Williams Uncut Podcast

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!

Abraham Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor of Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal, joins John Williams to talk about the work they do at the publication, why it’s a ‘sexy’ time to be in sports, his thoughts on the tug of war over the future of the Bears stadium, how generations of NBA fans will […]

The great film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to give his review of the highly anticipated Steven Spielberg film, ‘Disclosure Day.’

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we take another short trip north and visit with Christine […]

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

Hamline University political science professor David Schultz and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document. Today, John and David examine Amendments 3 and 4.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals begin the podcast talking about two interviews that were making news this week: Scott Pelley’s interview with the New York […]

Noted Chicago attorney Christopher Parente, Partner, Cheronis & Parente, joins John Williams to talk about the release of the ‘Broadview Six' grand jury transcripts. Christopher tells John why this case still matters, the misconduct by the U.S. attorney’s office, and why the prosecutors kept on coming back to the grand jury to push the case.

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. Bob tells us how you can prevent fungus from overtaking your lawn while its hot and humid.

Longtime Chicago radio veteran Harvey Wells, founder, Lower Tech Bills, talks to John about how he helps customers lower their internet, cell phone, and television costs. Harvey tells you how you can watch the World Cup (for free), what you need to know if you want to catch the hot White Sox, and the latest on the […]

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

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the death of Bulls legend Stacey King, a new study that shows flu medications have the potential to reduce cognitive decline as well as premature aging in people living with HIV, and an experimental vaccine from Moderna […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Jon Hansen to talk about President Trump’s contentious interview with ‘Meet the Press,’ the reaction that President Trump received from fans at the Knicks vs. Spurs game, and to share his thoughts on the Bears possible move to Indiana.

Did you know the Chicago Cubs are celebrating 150 years of baseball this year? To mark the historic milestone, Nikco Sports is offering a limited edition 150th Anniversary bat. Chicago Cubs 150th Anniversary Bat graphic, via Nikco Sports Memorabilia Jon Hansen, a die-hard Cubs fan, spoke with Marc Lillibridge from the Nikco Sports Team to […]

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. Lou says that a rise in humidity can cause smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to go off. What should you know if this happens to you. Lou also answers all of your home improvement […]

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

Historian Clay Jenkinson and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document.

Marc Ganis, sports business expert and President and Co-Founder of Sportscorp Ltd., joins John Williams to talk about the Chicago Bears announcing they are likely moving ahead with plans to build a new stadium in Indiana. Marc tells John that he puts the blame on Mayor Johnson, Speaker Welch, and even Stacy Davis Gates.

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about the Senate passing a new bill that provides $70 billion for immigration enforcement, what we know about the status of Trump’s ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund,’ and the latest on the ’60 Minutes’ saga.

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!

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza joins John Williams to talk about why she wants to be the next mayor of Chicago. Comptroller Mendoza tells John why she decided to get into this race, the major issues that she thinks that need to be addressed including the importance of growing the economic base of the city, how […]

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature for 2026! Are you trying to come up with some quick getaway ideas that are only a quick trip from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we make a short trip out to the southwest suburbs […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the best simple (and healthy) snacks, and to answer all of your health and nutrition questions.

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

Historian Clay Jenkinson and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn of The Picayune Sentinel, multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope's Screening Room, and Steve Bertrand, host of Steve Bertrand on Books and proprietor of Steve Bertrand Travel. The Rascals kick off the podcast discussing CBS firing ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley. What is the biggest takeaway from this […]

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, who joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says the lack of rain is causing lawns and gardens to dry out so keep watering!

Mortgage and real estate expert David Hochberg joins John Williams to talk about FHFA Chair Bill Pulte being named acting director of national intelligence replacing Tulsi Gabbard, what’s going on with mortgage interest rates right now, total U.S. credit card debt nearing an all-time high, and the VA finalizing a new program to help veterans […]

Illinois Senate GOP Leader John Curran joins John Williams to talk about the failure of the Illinois General Assembly to pass legislation that would give the Bears a pathway to stay in Illinois. What’s next for the Bears stadium saga?  

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

Sam Panayotovich of Fox Sports and formerly of WGN Radio joins John Williams to talk about the top sports stories making news this week including the White Sox hot start, why the team is so much better this year, the excitement of the Women’s College World Series, why he thinks the Bears have the best […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the latest on the Chicago Bears quest to build a new stadium, the heated meeting between ’60 Minutes’ correspondent Scott Pelley and the new executive producer of the show, and the Trump administration backing off on the ‘anti-weaponization fund.’

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

Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, joins John Williams to talk about what Chicago can do to combat teen takeovers. Austin also tells John his thoughts on the Illinois General Assembly failing to come up with an agreement about the Bears stadium project.

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 May 2026! What was your favorite joke this month? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com

Historian Clay Jenkinson and John Williams look at the Bill of Rights and discuss the strengths, weaknesses and challenges presented by this 235 year-old document.

Tom Fortino, Founder and Principal, Alpha Wealth Group, and host of “The Alpha Wealth Hour” on WGN Radio, joins John Williams to talk about the Dow hitting 51,000 this week, why he's bullish on the market right now, where investors should be putting their money, if there are any parts of the economy that has him […]

Hector Corona, founder of City Kids Camp, along with Bob Evans, Development, City Kids Camp, join Lisa Dent and John Williams in-studio to talk about City Kids Camp during the 2026 Radiothon, the different activities and amenities that the money will go to, and later, we hear from some of the many kids that have gotten […]

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about how many artists are dropping out of a D.C. concert series for America’s 250th anniversary, a federal judge temporarily blocking the Trump administration's $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, and the latest on negotiations to end the war in Iran.

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!

Jay McCracken, Executive Director, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, tells John how a small town like Ottawa stays competitive, their many great partnerships, why their location is great for business, how tourism is an important part of the local economy, the business incubator program that will bolster downtown, and the incredible food and beverage scene in […]