HeyJaredThe Fran Spielman Show
Join veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman as she interviews Chicago’s biggest movers and shakers. Each week, Fran sits down with a local leader, politician or policymaker to get the inside scoop on the latest news in Chicago.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 9
- Latest publication
- Sep 17, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 8, 2026
Latest episodes
Senior Advisor Jason Lee on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Reelection Strategy (opens the original)
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Fran Spielman interviews Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior advisor Jason Lee about Johnson’s path to reelection, defending his record, and navigating City Council and union tensions. Lee argues the election will hinge on whether working people or wealthy corporate interests control the city, citing claims of historic public-safety improvements, expanded mental health services, major developments, and 31,000 youth jobs.
Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) (opens the original)
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In an interview with Fran Spielman, Chicago Alderman Michael Rodriguez, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Workforce Development, announces he will not seek re-election in the 22nd Ward, citing a desire to be more present for his family while continuing as Democratic committeeperson and staying active in community organizing. He highlights accomplishments including the Fair Workweek ordinance, a paid leave policy, wage gains for tipped workers, and support for violence reduction efforts, n
Chicago lobbyist John Kelly on his mayoral run, crime, and city finances (opens the original)
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Fran Spielman interviews Chicago lobbyist and first-time candidate John Kelly about his run for mayor. Kelly says Chicago is in decline due to crime, high taxes, failing schools, and poor leadership, arguing residents don’t trust official crime stats and calling for restoring ShotSpotter, hiring 1,000 more police officers, shortening the police academy timeline, and cutting the mayor’s security detail to bolster CTA safety. He discusses firefighter concerns about equipment shortages and a need f
U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (opens the original)
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Fran Spielman interviews Congressman and mayoral candidate Mike Quigley, beginning with Cubs and hockey talk before turning to his Lake Michigan suit jump meant to highlight sewage control, shoreline restoration, and invasive-species threats. Quigley explains why he’s running for mayor now, citing fiscal, housing, public safety, and CPS crises, and argues the next mayor must make tough choices without worrying about reelection; he defends running for Congress and mayor concurrently and outlines
David Axelrod on Chicago’s Mayoral Race, Democratic Party Shifts, and the 2026 Political Landscape (opens the original)
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Fran Spielman interviews political strategist and CNN analyst David Axelrod, who discusses widespread public disillusionment with politics and previews Chicago’s upcoming mayoral race after Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias enters with major funding and front-runner scrutiny.
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