The Fran Spielman Show Podcast
1) Debating video gaming terminals: Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) & Ald. Walter "Red" Burnett (27th)
In this episode, Fran Spielman hosts a discussion between two Chicago City Council members, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) and Ald. Walter "Red" Burnett (27th), who are on opposing sides of the debate over ...Show More
2) Cristina Pacione-Zayas | Mayor Brandon Johnson's Chief of Staff
In this episode, Fran Spielman interviews Cristina Pacione-Zayas, former Illinois lawmaker and the current Chief of Staff to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Pacione-Zayas discusses the challenges and p...Show More
3) Boosting Chicago tourism amidst challenges: Insights from Choose Chicago's Kristen Reynolds and Guy Chipparoni
Fran Spielman hosts a conversation with Kristen Reynolds and Guy Chipparoni, the President & CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Choose Chicago, respectively. The discussion covers the financial challen...Show More
4) Bears fever: A post-season deep dive with Rick Telander & Marc Ganis
Fran Spielman is joined by former Sun-Times sports columnist Rick Telander and sports stadium consultant Marc Ganis to analyze the Bears' gripping Wild Card victory against the Green Bay Packers, driv...Show More
5) Congressman Mike Quigley
Fran Spielman interviews Northside Congressman Mike Quigley about his decision to run for Mayor of Chicago. Quigley discusses the city's fiscal challenges, including the substantial budget allocation ...Show More
6) 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
7) 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
8) 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
9) 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
10) 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