Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast

Chicago Contrarian
  • 4.3 (6)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A summary conversation on news events and public affairs in Chicago.

  1. 1D AGO

    Taxpayers foot the bill for Mayor Johnson's trip to D.C., Preckwinkle searches for a fall guy, the CTU guts another Charter School Network

    Mayor Johnson flew to Washington, D.C. to offer a rebuttal to the SOTU address. Why? Johnson showed up at a protest to deliver an anti-Trump harangue. Who paid for the trip? Was this official city business? Desperate to deflect from the Tyler Technologies debacle, a nine-page letter rebuking County Treasurer Maria Pappas as a bully was released to media. What is behind the letter? With Preckwinkle on the hot seat, is this the Cook County Board president scrambling to save her reelection campaign? The CPS announced the ACERO Charter Network will lose students due to financial difficulty. What role did the CTU play in ACERO's demise? We'll discuss

    1h 11m

  2. FEB 21

    The Bears wave goodbye to Chicago, Mother Cabrini to replace Columbus, Chicago magazine's "Top 50 Most Powerful."

    After years of threats and months of back-and-forth discussions with state and city leaders, Chicago Bears' management announced the franchise would resettle in neighboring Indiana. Is Chicago going to be without a NFL franchise? Nearly six years ago, Lori Lightfoot capitulated to a mob and removed two statues of Christopher Columbus from Grant and Arrigo parks. The city announced neither would be returned and a figure of Mother Cabrini. Will Columbus ever reappear on Chicago public property again? Chicago magazine's annual Top 50 Most Powerful list was released. Is it accurate or is it a politicized list? We'll discuss.

    1h 2m

  3. FEB 20

    Conversation with Christian Maxwell, GOP candidate for Illinois 1st congressional district.

    Newcomer Christian Maxwell declared for Congress in Illinois 1st District. Can she unseat Jonathan Jackson? Panelists with Contrarian quiz the aspiring GOP candidate ahead of the March 17 primary.

    1h 18m

  4. FEB 14

    More mayoral meddling, what the White House should do in Chicago, Mayor Johnson takes a step forward toward reelection.

    In a surprise decision, the Board of Education severed its contract with a search firm hired to vet candidates for the CEO of CPS. Six BOE members asserted the move was done to prevent Mayor Johnson from interfering with the search to replace Dr. Macquline King. With speculation running wild, the White House intends to order ICE back to Chicago, Paul Vallas has ideas for the Trump Administration to do good for Chicago. Mayor Johnson has been coy on his reelection plans. At a City Club address, the mayor hinted at his intent to run for a second term. We'll discuss.

    1h 8m

  5. FEB 7

    Snelling, Mayor Johnson caught in a lie, the OIG report on CPS spills some unsavory secrets.

    Superintendent of Police Larry Snelling's public comments on interfering with lawful police business. Jordan Powell writes of the impact of his words nationwide and his tenure leading CPD. Mayor Johnson issued an Executive Order last week, which led to SA Eileen O'Neill Burke denying her office supported his action. Was Johnson lying? Probably. The recent OIG report on the CPS over the last year was repugnant. Given the depth of the problems at CPS described in the report, the schooling system needs a full investigation. Is Attorney General Kwame Raoul the man to carry out such an investigation?

    1h 11m

  6. FEB 1

    Federal scholarship program, Mayor Johnson visits Washington, D.C., the fight for the Cook County Board presidency.

    A new federal program promises $1 billion in scholarship money is on the table for Illinois' schools. Will Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker take it to improve Chicago's schools? Mayor Johnson traveled to Washington, D.C. this week for a National Press Club event. His comments were only directed at Trump. The mayor falsely claimed federal agents were directed by the White House to "shoot and kill." Will there be a fallout over the mayor's outrageous comment? Chicago is seven weeks out of the primary for Cook County Board president. We'll discuss.

    1h 7m

  7. JAN 24

    CPS scandals, CTU in hot water again, Chicago's worst in media.

    An Inspector General report in early January detailed a wide range of improper conduct, perhaps criminal, among CPS employees. Will authorities finally take action? The CTU was finally exposed for filing misleading annual audit reports after an independent auditor concluded the union omitted the activities of two foundations under the union's supervision. Is the CTU's day of reckoning coming? Are Chicago journalists biased? Chicago Contrarian says yes, and we crowned Heather Cherone the worst journalist for 2025.

    1h 7m

  8. JAN 17

    Lori Lightfoot returns to the headlines, ICE murder-for-hire trial, and Chicago prepares for layoffs.

    Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot has launched her "ICE Accountability Project. How effective will her effort be and what is behind it? The trial of an alleged gang member charged with orchestrating an  attempted assassination of ICE Commander Greg Bovino suffers a defeat. AFter a contentious budget debate, Mayor Johnson warns layoffs could come to city government by summer. Is this possible? We'll discuss.

    1h 4m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

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A summary conversation on news events and public affairs in Chicago.

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