Horse race track in Arlington Heights, Illinois
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In the Best of Rahimi & Harris this week, Audacy NFL insider Brian Baldinger joined the show to discuss how Bears quarterback Caleb Williams can take a step forward in his second NFL season; Mark Grote and Dan Wiederer discussed Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw's strong performance since he was recalled to the big leagues Monday; Score callers chimed in with their opinions on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams failing to address the media following recent revelations that he initially didn't want to be drafted by Chicago in 2024; author and radio host Sarah Spain joined the show to discuss her upcoming book titled "Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood and Belonging”; and Leila Rahimi, Marshall Harris and Grote shared their feelings about the Bears' pursuit of a new stadium as the organization has officially shifted its focus to Arlington Park as the site to build on.
The Chicago Bears have paused plans for a downtown stadium to focus instead on Arlington Heights. Crain's commercial real estate reporter Danny Ecker discusses with host Amy Guth.Plus: Jenner & Block lawyer's security clearance pulled by Trump administration; Kraft Heinz plans $3 billion plant upgrades despite lower profit outlook; another United hub hit by air traffic outage; and with federal action looming, Northwestern hits the gas on lobbying efforts.
Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement announcement has begun what could be a massive generational shift in Illinois politics. Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz discusses with host Amy Guth.Plus: Despite strong start to 2025, banks cast wary eye as tariff threats loom, American Bar Association cuts 300 jobs after Justice Department pulls grant funding, Oak Brook investor seizing shuttered Northbrook Crowne Plaza hotel and Bears confront their Soldier Field landlord as they scope out Arlington Park move.
Send us a textIn this episode, I chat with Aina Marti, founder of Heloise Press, who shares her journey from academia to independent publishing and how she's created a home for contemporary female voices from around the world.• From academic roots studying Spanish and English literature to completing a PhD in comparative literature• How reading Rachel Cusk's Arlington Park became an epiphany moment that inspired her to start a publishing company• The clear vision behind Heloise Press: publishing contemporary female voices telling women's stories that other women can relate to• Working across languages and the importance of building strong relationships between authors and translators• Why many internationally successful authors prefer working with smaller presses when being translated into English• The value of continuing to publish multiple books by the same author to help build their presence in new markets• Creating a cohesive visual identity with distinctive book covers designed by Laura Kloss• How small and medium presses are taking risks on unique voices that larger publishing houses often overlookIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends and family, subscribe wherever you listen, and leave a review to help others discover the show.Click Here to receive a 40% discount on Abandonment by Erminia Dell'Oro. The voucher code is bookshop to be applied at checkout. Héloïse PressKairos, Jenny ErpenbeckBarbara Pym BooksArlington Park, Rachel CuskSupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links
Chicago-area transit agencies face a reckoning that could derail the region. Crain's Forum editor Cassandra West talks with host Amy Guth about how CTA, Metra and Pace are looking for elusive dollars as lawmakers and others urge the three entities to consolidate.Plus: Mayor's office faces scrutiny over misconduct accusations against ex-comms chief, Bears make peace with Arlington Heights over Arlington Park property taxes, Illinois Center owner hit with massive foreclosure lawsuit and Howard Brown to pay $1.3 million to laid-off workers.
An exclusive interview with Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen is the feature this week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod. Carstanjen provided 45 minutes of his time to answer a wide range of questions at CDI's corporate headquarters in Louisville, Ky. He discusses long-range plans for the company's racing properties as well as snapshot of Churchill's casino and online gaming components. He also talks about the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority with all its nuances, the end of the suspension of trainer Bob Baffert, the successful spread of historic horse-racing machines, the controversial closing of Arlington Park, plans for the continued expansion of the Churchill Downs racetrack and what it is like to be the boss on Kentucky Derby day. Paddock Prince handicapper David Levitch offers tips on weekend races at Churchill Downs including the Iroquois Stakes (G3), the first points prep for Kentucky Derby 2025. Co-host John Cherwa reacts to the interview with Carstanjen. The Ron Flatter Racing Pod via Horse Racing Nation is available via free subscription from Apple, Firefox, iHeart and Spotify as well as HorseRacingNation.com.
Jason looks back at the West Virginia Derby from Sunday evening. Then he welcomes in Dave Zenner from Colonial Downs to talk about the upcoming Arlington Million and Dave shares lots of old Million stories from his time working at Arlington Park.
In the Extra Point segment, Mike Mulligan, David Haugh and executive producer Dustin Rhoades reacted to the news that the Bears have received and responded to a proposed tax settlement from Arlington Heights. The Bears are continuing their quest to build a new stadium. Their focus is currently on the lakefront in Chicago, but they own the 326-acre Arlington Park in Arlington Heights.
Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Arlington Heights mayor Tom Hayes, who shared his response to the Bears unveiling their vision to build a new stadium on the lakefront in the city. The Bears own 326-acre Arlington Park, and Hayes believes Arlington Heights is still the best option for the organization.
Are the Bears making a genuine push to build a new domed stadium on Chicago's lakefront? Or is their focus there a leverage ploy to get a better deal in Arlington Heights? Dan Bernstein, Laurence Holmes and Leila Rahimi pondered the question. The Bears still own Arlington Park, the former home of the Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights that the organization purchased for $197.2 million in February 2023.