John Williams

Ryan Burrow, WGN News Director and host of the ‘Quest for Gold‘ podcast, joins John Williams to tell us everything we should know about trying to procure tickets for the 2028 Olympic games in Los Angeles.

Rob Karr, President and CEO, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, joins John Williams to clear up misconceptions about a controversial Illinois law banning certain credit card fees.

Connell McShane, anchor of ‘NewsNation Live with Connell McShane,’ joins John Williams to talk about the stock market hitting record highs after some positive Iran war news, prices not really coming down since President Trump took office, and his thoughts on President Trump’s feud with Pope Leo.

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!

Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, tells John why the fight for the subminimum wage isn’t over.

Greg Kot, former music critic for the Chicago Tribune, and co-host of ‘Sound Opinions,’ joins John Williams to talk about the history of protest songs, where you can hear contemporary artists doing protest songs, how the way listening to music has changed, and if these newer protest songs have the same impact as they did […]

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 to the great state of Michigan and visit […]

Author and registered dietician nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner joins John Williams to talk about the best time of day to exercise, and a new study about the best and worst carbs for your weight. Dawn also answers 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, Chicago journalist Cate Plys, publisher of Roseland, Chicago: 1972, and multi-media journalist Brandon Pope, author of Brandon Pope’s Screening Room. This week, the Rascals start the podcast close to home by talking about the Chicago City Council failing to override Mayor Johnson’s […]

Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune reporter covering the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and criminal justice issues in Chicago, joins John Williams to talk about a federal appeals court announcing that former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain would be released from prison and granting them new trials.

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! Bob tells John that you don’t need to water the rest of the week after all the rain, and don’t attempt to mow the heavy, wet grass. Bob also […]

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

Dawndria Murray, Franchisee Owner Operator of Culver’s of Matteson, joins John Williams to talk about her now viral video that showed her making a plea to parents after kids were behaving poorly at her restaurant.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about physician burnout and everything that Northwestern does to deal with employee wellness, the challenge of getting people the right care at the right place in a timely manner, COVID being down, the flu season being over, and […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias possibly running for Chicago mayor, his thoughts on CTU wanting a day off of school on May 1st to protest, the feud between President Trump and Pope Leo, and why he was rooting for Rory McIlroy to win […]

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias joins John Williams to talk about how Illinois families have been rocked by rising car insurance premiums and his ‘Driving Change’ initiative that will move Illinois toward a more equitable and affordable system that would prioritizes a driver’s record behind the wheel. Secretary Giannoulias also comments on a new scam that he […]

John Williams talks to Kate Lieto, Vice President of Marketing for Experience Grand Rapids, about why Grand Rapids is emerging as a top spring getaway. They highlight the city’s major riverfront transformation, a new downtown amphitheater, and the upcoming Dale Chihuly exhibition at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park—all helping make the city a vibrant hub for arts, entertainment, and outdoor experiences. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8256690/8256690_2026-04-14-173630.64kmono.mp3 Learn more […]

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

Clay Jenkinson, American humanities scholar, author and educator, joins John Williams to celebrate the birth of American Founding Father and the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.