Heartland Politics with Robin Johnson Robin Johnson

Joe Svoboda, author of Brothers, Bears, and Beers: A Memoir of Friendships, Adventures and Mishaps, talks about the lasting bonds of friendship from a small college and fraternity, the ability to overcome differences to build solid friendships, and other lessons applicable to these times of social isolation and division.

Sen. Chris Murphy, (D-CT) talks about the forces fueling our partisan divide, the coming political realignment that will shake up American politics, fraud committed by economic elites on the working class, and much more.

Hannah Meisel, government and politics reporter for Capitol News Illinois, discusses the recent trial of top Madigan aide Tim Mapes, what the outcome means for Madigan’s upcoming trial, and why the legal proceedings are important for the state and residents.

Frank Mautino, Illinois Auditor General, talks about his office’s roles and responsibilities, the state’s financial condition, audits of the Quincy and LaSalle VA homes, audit of IDES Covid funds overpayment of more than $5 billion, and much more.

Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution and Reimagining Rural policy initiative, talks about opportunities for rural revitalization from the Infrastructure Bill, CHIPS Act, and Inflation Reduction Act and possibilities from the upcoming Farm Bill.

Rick Kogan, host of “After Hours With Rick Kogan” on WGN and Chicago Tribune columnist, talks about the Chicago cultural scene, the Mob, the state of journalism, the urban-rural disconnect, and what it means to be a “newspaperman.”