At Issue on WBBM Newsradio

On May 15th, Chicago will see a new mayor. Lori Lightfoot will pass the torch to mayor-elect Brandon Johnson.

This week, WBBM Political Editor heard from both Lori Lightfoot & Brandon Johnson. Lightfoot discusses the final days of her time as mayor of Chicago and Johnson discusses what's to come with the city. 

The Commonwealth Edison bribery case saw the 4 defendants convicted on all counts & the repercussions and fallout will be felt in many different aspects throughout Illinois. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore sits down with Madeleine Doubek, the Executive Director of CHANGE Illinois, & Alisa Kaplan, the Executive Director for Reform for Illinois, about what happens after the bribery case, what citizens can do & more. 

With mayor-elect Brandon Johnson taking over in a few days, Mayor Lightfoot sits down with WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore to discuss the shortcomings of her campaign, gun violence in the city, homelessness & more.

With the issues surrounding the youths in the city the past few weekends, the discussion on how to handle the situation taken the forefront. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore is joined by Jitu Brown, Shannon Bennett & Assata Lewis to discuss the problem and offer up how to change the perception of young people within the city.

Jitu Brown is the National Director of Journey for Justice Alliance. Shannon Bennett is the Executive Director of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. Assata Lewis is an educational consultant for the non-profit GoodKidsMadCity-Englewood.

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore speaks with three of the new faces entering the Chicago City Council. Dellimore speaks with new 21st ward alderman Ronnie Mosley, the new 34th ward alderman Bill Conway & the new alderwoman of the 48th ward Leni Manna-Hoppenworth before being sworn in on May 15th to talk about their wards, the issues surrounding them, mayor-elect Brandon Johnson and more. 

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore is joined by WBBM Political Analyst Robin Robinson & the Daily Line's Erin Hagerty to discuss the aftermath of the runoff election and it's impact the city council, the suburban races & more. 

Policing has been a highly debated topic over the course of the 2023 Chicago mayoral election and this week's program spotlights exactly that. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore chats with Kathleen O'Toole, former Seattle police chief, & Robert Boik, the former director of the Chicago Police Department's Office of Constitutional Policing, in a piece that initially meant to be an on-air story about community policing. 

As we are nearing the end of Women's History Month, this week's At Issue looks to shine on spotlight on the Chicago Foundation for Women. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore sits down with Felicia Davis Blakely, the President & CEO of the Chicago Foundation for Women. They talk about women's position within our society, the foundation's work with women and so much more. 

With the pandemic changing how students have been taught in schools the past few years, mental health has become a big point of emphasis with schooling. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore talks to two representatives from Communities in Schools of Chicago to break down the spotlight on student mental health and where it could go from here. 

Representing Communities in Schools of Chicago are Shipra Panicker, the Senior Director of Intensive Student Supports & Robin Koelsch, the Senior Director of Partnerships.

With Mayor Lightfoot's term ending in May, many are looking for the Office of Re-Entry to remain in place once the term ends. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore speaks to Willette Benford of the Office of Re-Entry about helping people who have been incarcerated find their footing once released, her own history with re-entry and more.

WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore recaps this past mayoral election as Lori Lightfoot was not elected for a second term as Chicago mayor. He is joined by former NBC 5 reporter Phil Rogers & Daily Line's Erin Hagerty to recap the Lightfoot campaign and more. 

With 8 challengers fighting to take her place, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is looking for reelection. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore is joined by incumbent mayor Lightfoot to discuss some closing arguments before the Chicago Mayoral Election and take a look back at some of her speeches to remind voters where Lightfoot stands on current topics & events. 

Since 2015, Dorval Carter has been atop of the Chicago Transit Authority. While the CTA has been a hot topic for the Chicago Mayoral race, WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore talks with Carter about the challenges, accomplishments & future of the CTA. 

Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is no stranger to political offices in Chicago & the state of Illinois. From the Illinois State Senate to the Cook County Commissioner's Office, Garcia has made his presence known. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore speaks to Garcia about the mayoral race & more.

What does "community policing" mean & what should it be? WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore is joined by Roseanna Ander, Micole Jordan-McBride & Andrew Papachristos to answer those questions. 

Businessman Willie Wilson is currently running his third campaign for mayor of the city of Chicago. Wilson sits down with WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore about his plans to keep citizens & businesses in the city, getting crime levels lower & more.

Looking to follow in his father's footsteps, Alderman Roderick Sawyer is looking to become Chicago's next mayor. Sawyer speaks with WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore about how we will do what's right for the city as its mayor.

Community Advocate & Organizer Ja'Mal Green is running for mayor of Chicago for a second time. Green speaks with WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore about his focus on neighborhood economic development & how he champions the most vulnerable of the city's residents.

State Representative Kam Buckner describes himself as a son of Chicago and to show his love for the city, he is running for mayor. Buckner talks to WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore on why he cannot wait for a safe & just Chicago and how he will work towards that if elected mayor. 

Rob Hart speaks with Bill Jackson, Executive Director of the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago, about the legal recreational marijuana business.