WGN - The John Williams Uncut Podcast

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 […]

Rook Nelson, Director at Skydive Chicago and President of Eagle Air Transport, joins John Williams to talk about how many jumps he has done in his life, how old he was when he made his first jump, where they are located in Ottawa, the support they receive from the businesses in Ottawa, what to know […]

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 head south down I-55 to the state capital of […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the benefits of strength training, the importance of a balanced exercise routine, her two new recipes for Broccoli Salad and Cookie Dough Dates, the top foods for healthier blood pressure, 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.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg, Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center and author of the The Last Ward on Substack, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. The Rascals start this week’s podcast talking about the Trump administration creating a $1.776 billion fund to pay people […]

Noted Chicago attorney Christopher Parente, Partner, Cheronis & Parente, joins John Williams to talk about the latest on the ‘Broadview Six.’ Christopher tells John about the original charges against the ‘Broadview Six,’ why the judge threw the case out, why he believes the case against the ‘Broadview Six’ was brought up due to direction from Washington D.C. […]

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 tells us what to do for your lawn during this dry spell.

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

Historian Joseph Ellis has said that the Declaration of Independence contains the thirty-five “most potent and consequential words in American history.” True enough. Thomas Jefferson's self-evident truths – that all men are created equal and that they are right to expect an unfettered pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness – are aspirational if not timeless. […]

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

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about why people care so much about their local sports teams, the Chicago Teachers Union members voting down an effort to raise union dues to pay for political campaigns, and the latest on the Texas primary between Texas AG Ken Paxton and Sen. John […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the death of Kyle Busch, what we should know about sepsis, the latest on the Ebola outbreak in Africa, and if we need to be concerned about Lyme disease in Illinois.

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

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!

Connell McShane, anchor of “NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,” joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about President Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, as well as the votes in the Senate about the War in Iran and new UFO files.

Former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about a new initiative that would provide $25,000 for first-time home buyers' down payments if they have contributed two years of national service. Ambassador Emanuel also tells Jon if he believes the Bears would still be in Chicago if he […]

Dave Plier, WGN Radio host and Museum of Broadcast Communications Chairman, President & CEO, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the legacy of Stephen Colbert as he ends ‘The Late Show,’ how television and late night viewing habits are changing, the way many of these shows became more political, what […]

Kelly Amonte Hiller, head women's lacrosse coach at Northwestern University, joins Jon Hansen and Andy Masur to talk about their powerhouse program, the excitement about hosting the Women’s Final Four this weekend, the wonderful opportunity for people to see lacrosse being played at the highest level, the pressure of being the number one seed in […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins Jon Hansen to talk about Memorial Day grilling upgrades! Dawn also answers all of your health and nutrition questions.

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, Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head to beautiful Mirror […]

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, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and award-winning journalist and political pundit Marj Halperin. This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about the feud between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker over the Bears stadium and other issues in […]

Nick Nagele, Co-Founder, Whiskey Acres Distilling Company in DeKalb, IL, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about the release of their special limited-edition America’s 250th Anniversary bourbon. It’s truly history in a bottle! And keep your ears tuned just in case extra tickets are released for John Williams’ Speed Jokes Anniversary […]

Brian Hoogeveen, The Cash Man from Americash Jewelry & Coin Buyers, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to discuss items that could be worth money. Looking to sell an old coin that you have around the house? What about that gold that you’ve been meaning to sell? Do you have some World War II or World's […]

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 Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob says to keep your eyes out for fungus colonies with the […]

It's time to “Ask a Plumber.” Center Guard Plumbing's Mike Epping joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to answer listener questions about water leaks, cleaning faucets and drains, replacing hoses, and toilet flushing.

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

Joabe Barbosa, an avid runner originally from Brazil who is a Roosevelt University doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about being a great ambassador for the city as he continues to run the streets of Chicago, and the good news he received on his effort to […]

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, Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west and visit […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to talk about how concerned we need to be about hantavirus and Ebola, how some people on weight loss medication are seeing ‘muscle wasting,’ the importance of being able to talk candidly to your primary […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins Jon Hansen to talk about the feud between Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on the Bears stadium and what’s going on in Springfield, why the Democrats need to get their act together ahead of the election, and his thoughts on the primary election in Kentucky and […]

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

The great Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini, joins Jon Hansen, filling in for John Williams, to tell us the projects we need to be working on this week. Lou tells Jon the importance of understanding what your homeowners insurance actually covers. Lou also explains why now is the perfect time to start getting your garage organized. Listen to HouseSmarts […]