Trump's goons tackle and cuff U.S. Senator Alex Padilla for the high crime of trying to ask Kristi Noem a question. Ben riffs. Alejandro Verdin explains what Trumps is up to with his wars against Los Angeles, California, Democrats, Mexican-Americans and immigrants in general. How should Democrats respond? Also, a shout out to Governor Gavin Newsom who is at the forefront of the resistance in Cali. Alejandro is a political strategist and founder of the Nineteen Sixty Campaigns.

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Trump takes a stand for property owners—provided they are white and from South Africa. Ben riffs. Emeline Posner explains the bizarre inequities in Illinois property tax law that allow “investors” to buy control of someone else’s property. It’s an old and sordid flaw in a system that allows the strong to pray on the weak. It’s also unconstitutional in light of a recent ruling by the supremes. Emeline is an investigative reporter for the Investigative Project on Race and Equity. For more information, read the article Emeline co-wrote with Carlos Ballesteros for Injustice Watch.

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Michael Madigan approaches his sentencing date for”corruption”. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner joins the conversation, talking Madigan sentencing, Bears stadium (lots on that), RTA funding, and advice for Gov Pritzker. Also, who he supports in the senate race and a Juliana Stratton trivia contest. Kam is a state rep from Chicago and former offensive lineman for the University of Illinois.

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Musk exits stage MAGA. Ben riffs. David Faris sums up the legacy of Musk. Which smells like it sounds. Also, The Big And Beautiful Bill Act. Don’t need bill if you have act. But don’t tell Trump. And a dissertation on the low-information voter as opposed to the bad-information voter. And the problem with Dems falling in line. David is political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate. His views are his own.

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Another day, another Trump pardon. Ben riffs. Monroe Anderson takes a Trump pardon trivia quiz. Sample question...which pardoned felon was the sheriff who took $75,000 from business men for badges? As opposed to the married couple who defrauded banks into giving them $36 million in personal loans. And so on. The Sun-times says Mayor Johnson "fans flames of political war vs. Trump." Has the Bright One gone MAGA? Monroe deconstructs the headline. And makes a prediction about the next big Trump pardon.

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Former Mayor Lightfoot takes to the Hideout stage and find her inner Bernie Sanders. Hey, every ex-mayor has one. Okay, not Rahm. Or Daley. But still. Ben riffs. Gregory Pratt annotates Lightfoot's comments on such subjects as Gavin Newsom, Mayor Rahm, Lincoln Yards, the 2020 summer of disorder and the best way to deal with Trump. Also what did the mayor say to Greg when they ran into each other on the street. Greg is a reporter for the Tribune and the author of the City Is Up For Grabs, a book about Lightfoot's four years as mayor.

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The Trump bunch at Homeland Security and ICE withhold arrest records from the "Dr. Phil" raids in Chicago. Ben riffs. And Mick Dumke explains what he's doing about it. In this case--tag teaming with Matt Topic, FOIA lawyer extraordinaire, to file a federal suit in an attempt to force the feds to turn over public records. Everything you need to know about ICE, Homeland Security, FOIA law and Dr. Phil. Okay, not him. But all the other stuff. Also, a few words about Bruce Springsteen's stand against Trump. Mick is an investigative reporter and editor for Block Club. His views are his own.

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