Shows / The Fran Spielman Show
The Fran Spielman Show
Join veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman as she interviews Chicago’s biggest movers and shakers. Each week, Fran sits down with a local leader, politician or policymaker to get the inside scoop on the latest news in Chicago.
Episodes
The Fran Spielman ShowFormer Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson
Eddie Johnson served as the city’s police superintendent when the ShotSpotter technology was integrated into the 12 district technology centers. He doesn’t…
The Fran Spielman ShowIl. House Speaker Chris Welch
Pretty pictures and rosy financial forecasts have piqued interest in building a new White Sox stadium in the South Loop, but it’s time to put some meat on the…
The Fran Spielman ShowDavid Goldenberg, Anti-Defamation League Midwest Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League Midwest Regional Director David Goldenberg joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss Chicago City Council's passing of…
The Fran Spielman ShowMike Glasser & Farzin Parang | The case against Bring Chicago Home
Neighborhood Building Owners Association president Mike Glasser and executive director of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago Farzin Parang…
The Fran Spielman ShowEmma Tai | Leading Mayor Brandon Johnson's Bring Chicago Home referendum campaign
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by former United Working Families Executive Director Emma Tai to discuss her role in campaigning for Mayor…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicago City Comptroller Chasse Rehwinkel
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago City Comptroller Chasse Rehwinkel.
The Fran Spielman ShowDeputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Chicago Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood to discuss the ongoing safety challenges…
The Fran Spielman Show2023 Year in Review with Sun-Times reporters Tim Novak & Tina Sfondeles
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleagues to discuss the Burke trial as it approaches its end, the Northwestern scandal, and Mayor…
The Fran Spielman ShowMichael Fassnacht, retiring CEO of World Business Chicago
Days after announcing his departure from the job growth agency known as World Business Chicago, Michael Fassnacht urged City Hall and the two major carriers to…
The Fran Spielman ShowSun-Times reporter David Roeder
City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times colleague David Roeder to discuss his storied career after over a total of 20 years at the newspaper.
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Brian Hopkins (2nd)
The stumbling start for Chicago’s temporary casino prompted an influential alderperson to warn Thursday that the city may be stuck with the gambling den at…
The Fran Spielman ShowSenior mayoral adviser Jason Lee
One day after Mayor Johnson’s tie-breaking vote spared Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) from a City Council censure, senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee said it…
The Fran Spielman ShowBudget Director Annette Guzman
Budget Director Annette Guzman brought up the reserve funds when asked where Mayor Brandon Johnson would turn first if the $150 million Johnson has earmarked…
The Fran Spielman ShowUnited States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
The intelligence failure that “blind-sided” Israel and allowed Hamas to launch its surprise attack is “shocking” for a 70-year-old country with a “well-earned…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)
Mayor Brandon Johnson's City Council floor leader, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss the proposed…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates
“The driving force has always been inequity and injustice that Black and brown students and their families experience in this city. And that injustice did not…
The Fran Spielman ShowInterim Chicago Police Supt. Fred Waller
The White Sox Aug. 25 game against the Oakland A’s should have been stopped completely— or at the very least delayed — after two women were struck by bullets…
The Fran Spielman ShowAndre Vasquez, Chairman of the City Council's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by the chairman of the City Council's Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Andre Vasquez, to discuss…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayor Brandon Johnson: Chicago's plan for the migrant crisis
Mayor Brandon Johnson did not rule out budget cuts, tax increases or both to pay for a burgeoning humanitarian crisis already costing Chicago upwards of $30…
The Fran Spielman ShowFraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara
Fed up with having Chicago Police officers “babysit” asylum seekers, Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara on Thursday proposed an alternative to…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayor Brandon Johnson
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Thursday made no apologies for his go-slow approach and said he is “grateful to have a four-year term” because it’ll take time to…
The Fran Spielman ShowChief Operating Officer John Roberson
Mayor Brandon Johnson campaigned on a promise to make $1 billion in investments in people bankrolled by $800 million in increased taxes, fines and fees. But…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Jessie Fuentes (26th)
A rising star in Chicago’s progressive City Council, Fuentes shared her inspirational story on Thursday in hopes it will blaze a positive trail for young…
The Fran Spielman ShowInspector General Deborah Witzburg
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said Thursday she is investigating “a lot” of allegations of payroll protection fraud by city employees and has launched a…
The Fran Spielman ShowThe Northwestern University hazing scandal | Attorneys Parker Stinar & Patrick Salvi
The Northwestern University hazing scandal that cost head football coach Pat Fitzgerald his job will turn out to be the biggest in the history of college…
The Fran Spielman ShowAnthony Driver, president of Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Anthony Driver, president of Chicago’s Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, said he is only human and does have a favorite among the…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicago Park District Superintendent Rosa Escareno
Under fire for giving away the store, Chicago Park District Superintendent Rosa Escareno is defending the terms of NASCAR’s agreement to rent Grant Park as…
The Fran Spielman ShowCristina Pacione-Zayas, Mayor Johnson's Deputy chief of staff
Deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas on Thursday described the new mayor’s style when asked why 12 weeks of unpaid parental leave for teachers and…
The Fran Spielman ShowActing Civic Federation President Sarah Wetmore
Acting Civic Federation President Sarah Wetmore believes the election of Brandon Johnson, the most progressive mayor in Chicago history, along with a younger…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lavin
After one month of the Brandon Johnson administration, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President Jack Lavin likes what he sees. But he’s still not yet willing…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Jeanette Taylor (20th)
One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s closest City Council allies urged the new mayor on Thursday to fire the CEOs of the CTA and the Chicago Housing Authority. Ald…
The Fran Spielman ShowVice-Mayor, Ald. Walter Burnett (27th)
Johnson’s reorganization plan anointed Ald. Walter Burnett as vice-mayor, with a $400,000 budget, allowing him to retain the staff he had as chair of the…
The Fran Spielman ShowFOX 32's Mike Flannery
After 50 years in political reporting, FOX 32's Mike Flannery is retiring. He joins Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman to discuss his storied career…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th)
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), Johnson’s City Council floor leader and handpicked Zoning Committee chair, said the first elected Chicago mayor in 40 years to…
The Fran Spielman ShowRich Guidice, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s chief of staff
Rich Guidice spent nearly 20 years running the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, which oversees emergency dispatch from Chicago’s 911…
The Fran Spielman ShowAnthony Driver, president of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
The nationwide search the fledgling civilian oversight panel is conducting for David Brown’s permanent replacement is strictly on the up and up. The fix is not…
The Fran Spielman ShowJason Lee, a senior adviser to mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s mayoral campaign and transition team
“We definitely don’t expect to make wholesale, universal changes within the city departments…You’re unlikely to see the kind of wholesale changes that…Daley…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Scott Waguespack (32nd)
Finance Committee Chair Scott Waguespack (32nd) is among those who could be on the chopping block to make way for more City Council committee chairs loyal to…
The Fran Spielman ShowPaul Vallas and Brandon Johnson camps discuss their path to victory
Campaign manager, Brian Towne, and veteran Democratic political strategist, Joe Trippi, discuss the Vallas campaign while senior advisor, Jason Lee, and…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Tom Tunney (44th)
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), the powerful chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee and a key member of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s leadership team, is retiring…
The Fran Spielman ShowJim Franczek, City of Chicago's chief labor negotiator
As an unpaid negotiator for the Fraternal Order of Police, Jim Franczek said Paul Vallas was singularly responsible for convincing the Fraternal Order of…
The Fran Spielman ShowCTU President Stacy Davis Gates
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates said Thursday she expects vanquished mayoral challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia to endorse Brandon Johnson in…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayoral election recap | Sun-Times' Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ's Dan Mihalopoulos
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by her colleagues, Sun-Times' chief political reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ's political reporter Dan…
The Fran Spielman ShowDavid Axelrod weighs in on the race for Chicago Mayor
David Axelrod has helped to elect mayors, senators and the nation’s first Black president. While not ready to “write the epitaph” of incumbent Mayor Lori…
The Fran Spielman ShowU.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Il.), Chicago mayoral candidate
On the November day when Garcia finally entered the race, he told the Sun-Times that he would love to unite the progressive movement had has championed for a…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayoral candidate Paul Vallas
It’s a good thing former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas has developed a “thick hide” in over 40 years in public service. He needs it—and a flak…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicago Police Detective Bob Bartlett
Veteran Chicago Police Detective Bob Bartlett is trying to unseat the fiery union president who has gone toe to toe with Mayor Lori Lightfoot over all things…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayoral candidate Ald. Sophia King (4th)
Mayoral challenger Sophia King (4th) has a grand plan to breathe new life into a Chicago Public School System that has been hemorrhaging students — with more…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayoral candidate Brandon Johnson
Mayoral challenger Brandon Johnson, the Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer, came out swinging against Garcia and would not commit to…
The Fran Spielman ShowRetiring Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th)
Retiring Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th) joined Sun-Times City Hall reporter on Wednesday to discuss his storied career and who he is endorsing for Mayor of…
The Fran Spielman ShowMayoral candidate Ja'Mal Green
Mayoral challenger Ja’Mal Green on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping public safety plan to confront the violent crime that is foremost on the minds of Chicago…
The Fran Spielman Show2022: A year in review | Political reporters Tina Sfondeles and Dave McKinney
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Sun-Times chief polical reporter Tina Sfondeles and WBEZ state and government reporter Dave McKinney to…
The Fran Spielman ShowSun-Times reporters discuss the legacy of Ald. Edward Burke (14th)
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by reporter and columnist Mark Brown and investigative reporter Tim Novak to discuss the long history of…
The Fran Spielman ShowChicago election law expert Burt Odelson
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by attourney Burt Odelson, who lends his extensive experience in Chicago election law to explain petition…
The Fran Spielman ShowU.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia
Portraying himself as the “coalition-builder” Chicago needs, U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-Illinois) will join the crowded race for mayor on Thursday…
The Fran Spielman ShowFormer Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st)
In a soul-searching interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, former Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st) talked about going into his own tailspin after failing to talk a…
The Fran Spielman ShowBrandon Johnson joining crowded race for mayor
The Cook County commissioner said he is running because incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot has failed progressives. “The hopes and desires of working families have…
The Fran Spielman ShowPaul Vallas
A former Chicago Public Schools CEO, Vallas said he has $1.82 million in cash on hand after a modest third-quarter of fundraising and a “significant spike” in…
The Fran Spielman ShowAld. Matt Martin (47th)
Ald. Matt Martin (47th) urged the City Council on Thursday to shake off its rubber stamp reputation and become the truly independent legislative body it was…
The Fran Spielman ShowCivic Federation President Laurence Msall
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s $242 million pension pre-payment plan will prevent Chicago’s four cash-strapped pension funds from having to “sell assets in a down…