The Fran Spielman Show Podcast
1) David Greising, CEO of the Better Government Association
In this episode, Fran Spielman hosts David Greising, CEO of the Better Government Association, to discuss the intense budget conflict in Chicago between Mayor Brandon Johnson and a renegade group of c...Show More
2) Year-End Review: Chicago and Illinois politics in 2025
In the final weeks of 2025, Fran Spielman hosts a year-end discussion on Chicago and Illinois politics with Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles and reporter Mitchell Armentrout as the...Show More
3) Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson
Sun-Times City Hall reporter Fran Spielman is joined by Civic Federation President Joe Ferguson to discuss the alternative budget proposal developed by a group of alderpersons. They discuss the city's...Show More
4) Navigating the future of Chicago's stadiums with Eleanor Gorski
Fran Spielman interviews Eleanor Gorski, President and CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center, discussing the complex history and future plans for Chicago’s stadiums. The dialogue covers the renovatio...Show More
5) Chicago Federation of Labor president Bob Reiter
Fran Spielman is joined by Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, focusing on the significant budget stalemate in Chicago. They discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson's rejected $600 million...Show More
6) Honoring veterans: A conversation with Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th)
In this special Veterans Day episode, Fran Spielman interviews Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), a retired Marine and current chair of the City Council's Committee on Economic and Capital Development. Vil...Show More
7) CTA's future: Funding, expansion, and security with acting president Nora Leerhsen
In this week's episode, Fran Spielman interviews Nora Leerhsen, the acting president of the Chicago Transit Authority. They discuss the recent $1.5 billion mass transit bailout by the Illinois General...Show More
8) Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch defends revenue choices made in $1.5B mass transit bail-out
In this episode, host Fran Spielman interviews Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch following the passage of a transformative $1.5 billion mass transit bailout package. Welch discusses the collaborative...Show More
9) In-depth analysis of Mayor Brandon Johnson's $16.6 billion budget proposal
In this episode, Fran Spielman invites Chicago City Council veterans Matt O'Shea and Scott Waguespack to discuss Mayor Brandon Johnson's recently unveiled $16.6 billion budget proposal aimed at addres...Show More
10) Discussing Chicago's budget with Mayor Johnson's senior adviser Jason Lee
In this episode, Fran Spielman discusses the contentious budget plan proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, which includes nearly $600 million in progressive taxes targeting wealthy corporations and indiv...Show More