Walter Jacobson's Perspective: Recent Episodes
WGN Plus
Legendary Chicago journalist Walter Jacobson offers his Perspective on local politics, news and more in this podcast on WGN Plus from WGN Radio in Chicago.
No talkie talkie by me this morning about Chicago or Springfield or Washington government and politics. And no crabbing by me about some elected or appointed public official who’s now misbehaving him- or herself. I’m here this morning to talk about myself being 87-years-old and concerned, carefully concerned, because in the news business we’re always carefully concerned about everything. In my case, right now, it’s about thinking what might be an interesting and fair subject for me the next time I have time on the air. I can use a pause. I need to cool it. My 40-year-old children, Julia and her husband Sam, live in upstate New York, near Albany, where they own and operate a cannabis farm. They’ve just had their first baby, whom they’ve named Lola. I’ve not yet met Lola and want very much to be with her and Julia and Sam. And I’ve asked for and been granted by WGN some time off to go to New York. I need to cool it. So, you thousands of listeners to Bob Sirott on WGN every weekday morning 6:00 to 10:00, please excuse my absence for a while. Not to say goodbye, but to say see you later. And hey, Elon Musk, you cool it. Stop causing President Trump the trouble you’re causing his new administration.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7340547/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-27-25_2025-03-26-215447.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In my opinion, the easiest and most comfortable news to report is good news. And I’ve just come across some very good news that was in the news last week. You may have heard it. But even if you have, and for sure if you have not, I’m here this morning to report it again. It’s the news about a young woman being declared the winner of Chicago’s annual public school spelling bee and is now on her way to compete in the national and famously difficult Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington DC. She is Beatriz Whitford-Rodriguez, 13 years old, in the eighth grade at Skinner North Classical School in the West Town neighborhood near Lincoln Park. Along with several thousand students from 175 public schools in Chicago, Beatriz worked her way to spell the word sauerkraut, sau-er-kraut, which may not be the hardest word in the English language to spell, but it sure is hard enough to puzzle me. After reading the news about Beatriz winning the Chicago Public Schools Spelling Bee, I gave myself one chance to spell sauerkraut: sau-er-kraut. I love to eat sauerkraut, but to be honest in reporting this news, I must admit getting stuck. Oh my, did I get stuck on those two letters “a” and “u.” So I want to say to Beatriz, good luck in the Scripps Spelling Bee. And thank you for the good news to report about you winning the public school spelling bee in Chicago.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7331405/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-20-25_2025-03-20-140905.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There are big and important stories in the news today about that endlessly awful war being waged by Russia and Ukraine. And about disease and starvation around the world. And about $10.00 for a dozen eggs here at home. But I just can’t stop thinking about spring fever and baseball. Our Chicago White Sox and my Chicago Cubs who, in 1952, 75 years ago when I was a little boy talking my way into a job as a Cubs batboy. Wow! What’s big and important about baseball is that now for the first time in 50 years those Yankees in New York are being permitted by their owners to look, oh, kind of hippie on TV wearing mustaches, beards, and hair long enough to cover their collars. Looking quite hippie. In my opinion, the Yankee owners are doing the right thing, not because we need more hippies in the major leagues, but because we need to pay more attention to the damage Elon Musk is doing to our government and politics, getting himself in the news day after day about how rich and powerful he is in firing the thousands of government employees working in federal offices about which he knows nothing. It is time for Elon Musk to be tuned out.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7319766/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-13-25_2025-03-12-203206.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
He is quite a character, that Elon Musk, believing it’s true what the media says, that he is the richest person in the world. And now Elon Musk is behaving like he thinks he’s President of the United States. And I believe it’s fair for me to say that because I’ve been listening to Mr. Musk on the radio and watching him on television ordering, yes ordering, as only the president or someone empowered by the president can order hundreds of thousands of government employees to make and keep a record day by day, every day, a record of what a government employee is doing so that Musk and Trump can know when work time is being wasted and they can play politics with it. While those popular Tesla cars that Mr. Musk is producing and selling are being described by people who buy and drive them as dangerous. Windshield wipers and seat belts not working. Engine noises too loud and distracting. Escalating speeds too sudden and scary. Musk is collecting those records and firing thousands of government employees to the tune of Musk speeches about saving taxpayer dollars, while so many thousands more who are not being fired are now quitting their Tesla jobs. And I, as a reporter, Mr. Musk, am waiting to hear on the radio and to watch on TV whatever it is that you and your pal in the Oval Office of the White House are planning to do next.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7311300/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-6-25_2025-03-06-221900.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The news about Walgreens closing stores in Chicago is bad news, and day by day it’s getting worse. The latest being that in the next few weeks, five Walgreens in Chicago neighborhoods will be closing their doors, locking them closed, and covering up their windows, while having no plans to unlock the doors or uncover the windows ever again, because, Walgreens says, business is bad and the stores are losing too much money. The worst of the news is that all five stores being closed are on the West and South Sides of Chicago, serving Black and brown minority residents, including senior residents, who soon will have to walk a mile or more to pick up their medical prescriptions. Seniors living in South Shore, Bronzeville, and Little Village who are sad and frightened about losing their Walgreens. What Walgreens is not saying is that it’s millions of dollars in yearly profits are enough, maybe even more than enough, to pay for deliveries, or at least keep their stores open a few hours a day to fill and deliver urgent prescriptions. What I say is: Hey, dear Walgreens, how about doing something really good? Those stores in minority neighborhoods, keep them open indefinitely. Or to be really, really good, keep them open permanently.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7299873/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-27-25_2025-02-27-041713.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
If you’re not watching the Senate hearings about President Trump’s choices for his Cabinet, you’re not missing much that in my opinion is worth watching. Unless what you want to see are a few distinguished and undistinguished members of the Senate making long-winded speeches as if they’re still campaigning for or against Donald Trump moving into the White House. Hardly a word is being said in the hearings about who or what specific skills are necessary for a Cabinet member to be able to instruct, then advise the President on how to handle a sudden wildfire in California or a persistent problem in public education anywhere in the country. The Senate inquisitors are on showtime live TV, sounding off on important things they say they’re doing and how well they say they know who should or who should not be in President Trump’s Cabinet. What the Senators know best is politics, who President Trump’s political friends are and what’s motivating their speeches and votes during the same old, same old kind of hearings. Who among the Senators will the President bless with millions of his millions to help them campaign for reelection. All in all on Capitol Hill, the Senators and the President are playing the same old, same old money games.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7280400/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-13-25_2025-02-13-002300.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The public and often obscene arguments over President Trump’s decisions to fire FBI agents and prosecutors in the Department of Justice are being heard all around, everywhere, along with the expensive and damaging tariffs he says he’s planning against Mexico and Canada. And also his threatening speeches about our most committed allies around the world. While at the same time, blasting away about many other things, like, for example, his determination to have in his Presidential Cabinet Robert Kennedy Jr., a son of the once US Attorney General Robert Kennedy and a nephew of the once president John Kennedy. Much of what President Trump’s been saying is causing concern about what he may say or do next. What I’m hearing in City Hall and in Chicago neighborhoods all around, everywhere is talk, talk, talk that what’s possible next is another attempted assassination of Donald Trump by a political dissident or by who knows who and for what reason. For whatever reason, an attempted assassination is possible because it’s always possible. Which is why what we need right now is the noisy politicians in Congress and the White House, and the screaming headlines in the newspapers, and the talking heads on TV, to shut up.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7262668/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-6-25_2025-02-05-233708.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
We can like or dislike our second time President Donald J. Trump. But we better, we all better, listen and pay attention to everything he says, because he’s changing the ways we are living our lives, most dramatically changing the way he’s dealing with our immigration crisis. President Trump is dispatching federal agents, mostly armed agents, who are now tracking down and arresting our neighborhood immigrants who have struggled their way to our sanctuary city and suburbs without passing through the difficult process of being officially and legally accepted as immigrants. It is scary news to read, and worse, watching it on television. A government blitz by nearly 1000 armed agents of the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to track down and arrest immigrants. A tough guy police enforcer and extremist political commentator Tom Homan has been appointed by the president to assist the US Department of Justice in arresting immigrants. He’s describing himself as the American border czar, protecting America during an emergency. But he seems to me to be sounding and behaving like he’s an emergency.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7185599/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-30-25_2025-01-29-224239.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I am sure that I am not the only person having had enough, enough, enough already of that Zuckerberg guy. Mark Zuckerberg, the multibillionaire who owns and operates Instagram and Facebook. In case you’ve missed it, Mark Zuckerberg is changing the way he operates Facebook. He’s now permitting messages to be online before they’ve been checked for accuracy. In fact, Mr. Zuckerberg has shut down his office of responsibility for accuracy which means Facebook may be spreading misinformation, even deliberately spreading false information, spreading it for any reason onto millions of private and public computers around the world. It used to be that Facebook very carefully kept information before sending it. Zuckerberg’s declared purpose being to avoid spreading false or even accidental misinformation. Well, not anymore. Now, apparently, it’s OK for Facebook to send messages, including hate messages about certain races and religions. As a result, I am sad to say, hate messages are being sent online, which is upsetting many Facebook employees, even executives, causing reporters to be asking Mr. Zuckerberg to explain what he’s doing and why. His most frequent answer, or most frequent answers by his assistants are, that he’s unavailable for comment. Ugh!
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7160709/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-23-25_2025-01-22-222609.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Good morning, Mr. President Biden. I’m thinking you are ruining your reputation and your legacy with all those presidential pardons and commutations you’ve recently been granting convicted criminals. Like the pardon you granted your son Hunter and more than 1000 pardons and commutations you’ve recently granted in a hurry to beat the clock that in six days will end your power to grant anybody anything. Your latest grants are being read and spread worldwide, quite possibly destroying your legacy. Among your grants here in Illinois is the commutation you gifted Rita Crundwell, a former comptroller of Dixon, IL, accused of embezzling nearly $50 million. She was convicted, sent to prison, and now recently granted a Biden commutation. And Eric Bloom, former CEO of a company in suburban Northbrook, convicted of bilking investors of half a billion dollars. He was tried, convicted and imprisoned after what’s being described worldwide as the biggest financial fraud case ever tried in Chicago. And, like Rita Crundwell, Eric Bloom’s been granted a Biden commutation. So, what’s going on? My guess is that Joe Biden, good old Uncle Joe, is aiming to distract attention from granting that pardon to his son Hunter. As president he has the power to grant. His problem as President is he has no power to keep his grants a secret.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7150948/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-16-25_2025-01-15-220248.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Well, finally, finally, we now have only a few days to wait for the first meeting of Chicago’s first-ever publicly elected Board of Education. Our brand new 21-member Board of Ed is about to begin its difficult process of trying to make our public schools better than they are. I’m dubious about it because the meeting will be a mixture of education and roughneck politics. And I know, as all Chicago knows, there’s a big Chicago pothole in the road to that mixture. In fact, it’s worse than a pothole. It’s a war going on in City Hall about the CEO of our public schools, Pedro Martinez, who is a popular and very good CEO. But for political reasons, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and President Davis Gates of the teachers union want Martinez out. And they’re working together to get him out, which in my opinion they ought not be doing because politics have no place in schools, kindergarten through 8th grade. The mayor and the teachers union are spending a lot of time beating up on Martinez, which means it won’t be long before the politicians in the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield join the war against Martinez, shaking up hundreds of thousands of public school parents, and more than a quarter of a million public school children. And, sadly, Johnson and Gates are being egged on by the headline and editorial writers in the Chicago Tribune and the Sun Times. That’s a lot of power picking on Pedro Martinez. Picking on what’s now disrupting the good going on in Chicago’s public schools.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7142619/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-9-25_2025-01-09-194419.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Considering my very sad but nonetheless much-loved Chicago Bears, I’m wondering right now what I’ll do this coming Sunday, knowing very well what I’ll do is what I do every Sunday this time of year: Make myself a chicken salad sandwich, say a prayer to the gods of football, sit down in front of the TV, and watch my Bears play the Detroit Lions. A very good team this year, the Lions, with a record of 12 wins and two losses compared to the Bears record of just four wins and 10 losses. And now they’re on an 8-game losing streak. It’s punishing for me to think about that, and even worse for me to think about what the Bears have to do to stop the streak, which is what every one of Chicago’s most seasoned and knowledgeable sportswriters are saying, and in fact, been saying for weeks, some of them saying for months, a few saying for years. The Chicago Bears must find a head coach with enough experience to take charge of and to lead a professional football team. Do it now and then find a way to take away the reins of power of the McCaskey boys and their mom who own the team. Start over, if possible. Then, if possible, my dear Bears, think smart.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7120853/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-19-24_2024-12-19-170853.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Here we go again. Or here Rahm goes again. That’s Rahm Emanuel declaring that he may run again for Mayor of Chicago. Or, if Governor Pritzker of Illinois decides not to run again, Rahm Emanuel is saying, Rahm may run for governor. At this particular time in government and politics, Rahm Emanuel is the US Ambassador to Japan, declaring that if next year, his ambassadorship is dumped by Trump, Rahm may run for the US Congress, or Senate, or for President. Rahm Emanuel has a remarkable political resume and an even more remarkable political Rolodex loaded with campaign contributors who have huge amounts of money to spend to send Rahm Emanuel around the world, looking to become a citizen somewhere and then run for Prime Minister or head of state. Oh, just name a nation for Rahmbo. Just alphabetically. France or Finland. Greece or Germany. Ireland or Italy. Poland or Portugal. Tunisia, Togo or Turkey. Or Zambia or Zimbabwe. Candidate Rahmbo may not be a master or champion politician, but for a political reporter like me, he sure is fun to follow and to watch. So, after Japan, wherever Rahmbo goes, I will follow and watch him carefully. Very carefully.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7109470/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-12-24_2024-12-12-182210.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It is hard sometimes to keep up with the ups and downs in the government and politics of Chicago’s rookie mayor Brandon Johnson who is trying very hard to quiet and remove from office Pedro Martinez, CEO of our public schools who was hired three years ago by Mayor Lightfoot and since then has been doing a very good job. The evidence of how good is that for the first time in ten years, public school enrollment in Chicago is increasing which is an indication that public school parents are regaining some of their long-lost confidence in the schools. Eighty-four percent of public school students this year are graduating, which is a record achievement. And more than 1000 students are participating in internship programs. And nearly 2000 are being certified as career educators. And in many more than ten years, if not for the first time ever, the mayor of Chicago is a former public school teacher and an organizer for the teacher’s union. What CEO Pedro Martinez deserves is for Mayor Johnson to stop trying, or even thinking about, removing him from office, and instead trying to extend in his contract with a substantial increase in pay.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7082515/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-21-24_2024-11-21-181115.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
My computer this morning, along with everything else I’m reading, is loaded with news about Donald Trump creating a new White House administration. What I’m not reading, because it’s not being reported anymore, is news about how the newspapers and those talking heads on television helped Donald Trump get reelected. For the end of his most recent campaign for president, when Kamala Harris was gaining support in public opinion polls causing Trump to need help, he began showing up night after night on ABC, NBC and CBS network news and day after day and night, in lengthy interviews on CNN and MSNBC cable news. Huge numbers of voters were listening to Trump, sometimes almost tearfully, pleading for help. And on Election Day, now nine days ago, more than 75 million people voted for Trump, compared to 71 million for Harris. Bottom line, the media, that had for so many years been working overtime to keep Trump out of the White House, opened the doors to let him in. End of story this morning. My story.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7072690/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-14-24_2024-11-14-170830.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Maybe it’s good news, that vote for President. Maybe it’s bad. Depending on whom you voted for, you’re happy or sad. But finally, at long last, we all now know who will be the next occupant of the White House. But we don’t know, and what I am worried about, is who will win the next football game in Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears or the New England Patriots. What’s worrying me the most is whether the Bears can come back and be good after two very bad losses in a row. Inexcusable losses to the not good Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals. The Commanders beat the Bears with a Hail Mary pass because the Bears best pass defender was in the wrong position and not paying attention. Then the following week, the Cardinals clobbered the Bears 29 to 9 because Da Bears had no defense, no offense, and bad head coaching. So many things so bad that since losing those two games in a row, the Bears head coach himself and the Bears players themselves are being critical of themselves and each other. Which of course bodes ill for the rest of the season. Which of course is par for the course of the once great, now not great, George Halas Chicago Bears.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7059910/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-7-24_2024-11-06-225310.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I walked around my neighborhood early this morning before catching the bus that brings me here and I’m still thinking about the Halloween things I saw. Chunky things they seemed to me. Ugly, fake skeletons, coffins, and graveyards dug into charming little gardens alongside the sidewalks in front of some beautiful apartment buildings and private homes. And, here and there, some beautiful children seeming to me not only puzzled, but frightened by the scenes of death. So, here I go again, booing Halloween, and what’s in store for us tonight, and why I’m concerned. Here’s why. Those children will be in the dark tonight, buried in costumes. Their eyesights partially blocked by their masks, dashing into streets in search of bad things to eat, bad for their teeth and their health. Ringing doorbells to make demands. Trick or treat! Trick or treat! Treat us with some candy, some sugar, or we’ll treat you to some tricks. I believe I’m neither a Scrooge nor a party pooper, but a parent being protective of children singing my same old, same old song. Skip those antics of Halloween. Now I do know that many parents, probably most parents, are paying me no attention or are passionately disagreeing with me. So then, this morning, with some sadness and frustration, I’m not singing another word. Bye.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7014503/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-31-24_2024-10-31-165403.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson: Halloween through the yearsRecent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s three days now into the Mike Madigan trial and the headlines are in big print on the front pages of Chicago’s biggest newspapers. In the Tribune, for instance, “The Michael Madigan Trial” alongside a big picture of Madigan, his briefcase and his lawyers leaving the courthouse, what they’re calling racketeering case underway. Competing with a bigger picture in the Sun-Times, a close-up headshot of Mike Madigan along with an even bigger headline screaming that Madigan is accused of running a racket. It’s the Sun-Times and the Tribune hunting for readers. 37 paragraphs in the Tribune’s first trial day report, mostly about the prosecution side of the story compared to just five paragraphs about the Madigan side. A similar bias in the Sun-Times. 33 paragraphs mostly about the prosecution side of the story, compared to just 19 paragraphs mostly about the Madigan side. Bias in newspapers is expected, especially in the stories about politics in lawsuits, and bias is perfectly legitimate. But only on pages clearly labeled opinion. In too much of the news about Mike Madigan on trial, that’s not what we’re getting.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7003344/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-24-24_2024-10-23-212744.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
With happy smiles, beautiful balloons, and tooting trumpets, more than 1,000 people gathered on State Street three days ago to celebrate the Columbus and Indigenous People Parade. Some of them to watch it, others to watch and join the parade. The Columbus people have been hoping, and waiting, and waiting for City Hall to return to them their treasured Christopher Columbus Monument that City Hall, in the middle of the night, wrapped up and stashed away from where it had been standing for nearly 60 years on the near West Side in a regal park until it was damaged during a public protest in 2020. Mayor Lightfoot, back then, promised the Italian American community that City Hall would return the Columbus Monument to a regal park as soon as the protest was over and done with. The protest is over and has been done with for more than four years. And the Chicago Joint Committee of Italian Americans is negotiating with Mayor Johnson the return of the Columbus Monument to a regal park. The memory of Christopher Columbus is hugely important to our dear Italian American neighbors. It is past the time, long past the time Mr. Mayor, for City Hall to keep that promise.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6994095/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-17-24_2024-10-17-155035.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s been 2 1/2 years since Mike Madigan was indicted by a federal grand jury on 23 counts of criminal behavior during 36 years as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. One of the most, if not the most, powerful and popular Chicago politicians ever. For 2 1/2 years, he’s been ever-so-painfully awaiting his trial. And now that the trial has begun and is likely to go on for 8 or 10 weeks, it is ever-so-painfully possible he’ll be locked up in a federal prison. Mr. Former Speaker Madigan is accused of racketeering and wire fraud, bribery, and extortion that have been big news since the indictment and will now become bigger news because Madigan and the list of charges against him are part and parcel of the competition between Chicago’s radio and TV stations and the tougher competition between the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times. Their headlines have been stunning. Mike Madigan, his family, and much of the rest of Chicago, including the jurors in his trial, who no doubt have been seeing the headlines as they are accompanied by pictures of Madigan scowling. If those jurors find him guilty, will some of the reasons be the headlines and pictures? If yes, is the trial as fair as it’s required by law to be? My opinion is, that because the jurors hardly can be missing the headlines and pictures, if they vote Madigan guilty, my guess being they will vote him guilty, the trial hardly can be fair.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6902595/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-10-24_2024-10-10-193835.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I have some bad news to report this morning. The great New York Times – The uppity, uppity New York Times – is once again beating up on Chicago in its most popular Sunday edition. This last Sunday, The New York Times delivered to the world a special section entitled The Restaurant List. Twenty pages of what The New York Times declared are the 50 best restaurants in the United States, two of which are in Los Angeles and San Francisco, two each in Denver, Minneapolis, and Miami. Three best restaurants in Washington, DC. And, according to The New York Times, there are four best restaurants in New York. OK, OK, but, I’m wondering, how are the restaurants in Chicago stacking up? On The New York Times list, Chicago has one best restaurant, just one. Excuse me, please, but in the Oscars of the food world, Chicago chefs and restaurants have won more than 50 famous, highly-competitive James Beard Awards. Chicago is known around the world for its great chefs and restaurants. So, who’s testing restaurants for the New York Times list, and how is the testing being done? That 20-page special section in the Times answers neither one of those questions. So, I say it’s time for the New York Times to stop beating up on Chicago and to start shaping up its journalism.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6763278/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-3-24_2024-10-03-175418.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
So, in Chicago, those now well-known ShotSpotters have run out of time. Their contract with the city has expired and Mayor Johnson says he will not renew it. But there’s a chance it may be back anyway because some members of the City Council are working on bringing it back. The ShotSpotter is a multi-million-dollar technology designed to help the police wage war against gun violence. It’s an alarm system that alerts police to trouble faster and more accurately than a call to 911. Mayor Johnson insists the ShotSpotter is not reliable enough to be worth millions. Those members of the City Council insist that residents of their wards insist the spotters are worth whatever they cost because they have demonstrated an ability to get police and ambulances to the spot of a shooting and are saving the lives of people hit by gunfire. It is fair to speculate that Mayor Johnson’s determination to remove the ShotSpotters is motivated by the politics – his politics – of his plan to run for reelection. To pay for ShotSpotters during an election year, on top of everything else, he’s paying for, candidate Johnson may have to raise our real estate taxes, which, for a candidate for public office, is a bad thing to have to do. So, the debate goes on. Should there be a ShotSpotter in Chicago? Yes or no? Yes or no? Yes or no? To fight gun violence and to save lives, my opinion, for sure, is yes.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6631803/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-26-24_2024-09-26-191103.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The news about who won the presidential debate in Philadelphia last week is getting old. So, let’s start considering something new. A debate in Chicago City Hall this week. It’s getting hot. It’s about Mayor Johnson’s Director of Internal Affairs, Kennedy Bartley, an outspoken young Black woman who’s been interviewed on national television about the death of a young Black man arrested by police in Colorado. Bartley said, in a foul-mouthed remark on TV, that “police are pigs.” Before Mayor Johnson hired Bartley as a top deputy in his administration, she was a top executive of a politically active group in Chicago helping him get elected. So, he now wants to protect her. Bartley’s declaration that police are pigs has been headlined in the Chicago Sun-Times as a headache for the mayor, followed by a headline that Bartley is accused of anti-Semitism. Both headlines are accurate and a problem for His Honor, an especially serious problem because neither he nor she is answering questions about that declaration that police are pigs. Several members of the Chicago City Council are demanding that Mayor Johnson fire director Bartley. So now there’s a very public debate about it and no end in sight. Moral of, or at least the message in, this story is an old and useful one that if you want to play politics in Chicago, especially in Chicago, you better be especially careful about what you think and when, where, and especially how you say it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6478683/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-19-24_2024-09-19-174123.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
For me, it was an OK debate. A lot of emotion and a little bit of anger. But nothing new from either one of the two. How they spoke and what they said is common this late in a campaign game. They were cautious candidates, very cautious to avoid trying a Hail Mary because if the hail fails, it’s grounds for a big, bad, debilitating headline about the candidate who tried it. Trump was Trump in primetime Tuesday night, trashing Harris, describing her as being not up to the job of President. Harris was Harris, trashing Trump, but reasoning she’s not as effective a trasher as Trump. So then, on to debating the economy and foreign affairs. Comfort zones for Harris. Scary zones for Trump. But nonetheless hopeful zones for millions of television viewers wanting but not getting enough reliable information to help us decide how to vote. What we were getting, in my opinion, was the ever-so-ordinary attempts to knock each other out of the game. She’s saying he tells lies and is unfair as a debater. He’s saying that’s what she does and who she is. Which leads me to say that’s what both of them did because that’s what most politicians in heated competition often do. Much of what Harris argued, Trump argued the opposite, which will go on now for about two months, leading to demands for and the possibility of a second debate. The media was the media Tuesday night cable TV, CNN and MSNBC declaring Harris the winner. Fox declaring Harris the loser. Come on, you candidates and you talking heads on TV. How about treating us to a second and even a third debate? Maybe one night or two. Just before we vote.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6416837/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-12-24_2024-09-12-172937.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The news in the news is moving so fast it’s difficult sometimes to keep up with it, and even more difficult to decide what to say about it. A good example of that is the story about a popular radio talk show in Chicago and the two on-air people who host it. The well-known hard-right political conservatives Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson, to whom, by the way, I am not related. Proft and Jacobson were on the air joking and laughing at and mocking the tears of Gus Walz watching his father, Tim Walz, accept the Democrat nomination for Vice President. Gus Walz is 17 years old. He is suffering from verbal and learning disorders. He got up from his seat in the United Center crying and saying over and over again, “That’s my dad! That’s my dad!” Seeing Gus on television, I could read his lips, “That’s my dad!” And I could tell how hard he was struggling to smile. Now the last chapter of my story is about Amy Jacobson being the coach of boys and girls team volleyball at Amundsen High School in Chicago on North Damen Ave. As a result of the fun she was having making fun of the disabled teenager, Gus Walz, she is no longer a coach at Amundsen High School, which, as I see it, is the right thing to have happened to Miss Jacobson and may happen to others having that kind of fun.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6273527/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-5-24_2024-09-05-163927.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Now that both political conventions have come and gone, how about thinking back to those magical days of the Olympics on TV, the amazing athletes, their skills and sportsmanship and friendships in picture-perfect Paris. Just what we needed to interrupt that terrible news about war in Ukraine and Gaza. The wildfires in California. Unbearable heat all across the South and Southwest. And, the nasty politicking most everywhere else. Among what the Olympics and conventions crowded out of the news was a story about two American astronauts stuck in a Boeing company spaceship launched two months ago but, due to a helium leak, now are stuck in the International Space Station, having waited more than 60 days to go home. NASA says the two astronauts will leave the station next February. That’s in 2025. “This is not an emergency,” NASA says. “There is nothing to worry about,” because a spaceship can be borrowed for the astronauts from the SpaceX company owned by Elon Musk. Elon Musk, the multibillionaire richest person in the world who also owns the Tesla car company which recently was ordered by the Federal Highway Safety Administration to recall more than a million Teslas troubled by an autopilot system described by the safety administration as dangerous. Which is causing me, and I suspect much of the world, to wonder if Elon Musk is trouble prone. Is Elon Musk looking for trouble? Should astronauts be afraid to fly in an Elon Musk spaceship? Would you be afraid to fly in an Elon Musk spaceship? Would I be afraid? Well, excuse me, Mr. Musk. If I were stuck in space, longing to go home, I’d be very afraid to fly in an Elon Musk spaceship. Very, very, very afraid.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/6082457/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_8-29-24_2024-08-28-210057.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The night before the Democrats convened their presidential convention in Chicago, there was a civil rights Rainbow PUSH convention going on in honor of the Reverend Jesse Jackson of Chicago. An event not as spectacular as the Democrats. But for me, something extra special to think about because, in Chicago politics, Reverend Jackson and I grew up together. He, as a political leader. I, as a political reporter. Over the years, we’ve had a lot to do with each other. 36 years ago, in 1984, and then again in 1988, Reverend Jackson was a candidate running for president. I was a reporter running to keep up with him. He was a voice about Chicago government. I was an anchorman on Channel 2 News. Being typical politician versus reporter, we often were combatants. At one time, having no specific problem with me, Reverend Jackson was, for some reason, so unhappy with Channel 2 News that he organized and led a boycott against us that lost us many viewers. After which we both needed to calm down, which we did. And since then, when we run into each other, we still are calm and in a friendly way, we talk about Chicago government. I don’t know what Reverend Jackson thinks about me now. But I do know that I have for him deep respect and I thank and praise him for the personal sacrifices he’s made in doing the wondrous good he’s done. I now worry about his health and I wish for him what he so deserves: The best, the very, very best, years ahead.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5916595/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_8-22-24_2024-08-22-170235.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Not goodbye, but see you later.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}WGN Radio staff says ‘See you later’ to Walter Jacobson.cls-3{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson to air final Perspective on WGN Radio.cls-5{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck, Beatriz, in the Spelling Bee.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I just can’t stop thinking about baseball.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Just four days now until the Democrats begin their presidential nominating convention in Chicago. Many months after City Hall in Chicago has been agonizing over what may happen here next week, hoping it’s not what happened during the Democrat convention here in 1968, 56 years ago. Horrible things that still hurt to remember but are impossible to forget. I covered that convention. One reporter among more than 100 who were pushed and knocked around by violent protesters and bullied and tear gassed by equally violent Chicago police in Grant Park outside the Conrad Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue where more than 100 convention delegates were staying and inside the amphitheater, about two miles away, where the convention was underway. Now today, Illinois Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson and the Democrat politicians in City Hall don’t want to be embarrassed again by protesters and police. So, they are spending a fortune for security in and around the Loop and the United Center and are denying parade permits to protesters who are planning to parade wherever and however they choose. Which is causing protesters and police to be on alert for any kind of violent behavior. Which clearly is leading up to… Uh, oh! Oh, no!
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5766616/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_8-15-24_2024-08-15-172416.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: 1968 DNC – ‘Impossible to forget’.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson’s Perspective: I said to myself, ‘What?’.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: We’re getting too used to gun violence.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Millennium Park, a $490 million treat.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Time to move Chicago’s Pride Parade?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Thanks, but no thanks, to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and to the Olympic athletes in Paris who are causing me to watch a lot of television that is clarifying for me a trick of the television trade to make money. More and more money. We’re all watching that trick. You know, those never-ending television commercials pitching medicines. The makers of the medicines are paying huge amounts of money to network and cable television companies for just 15 or 30 seconds of air time to tell us over and over again about the wonders of the medicines now available at what they call bargain prices, promising us their medicines will heal our wounds, hide our freckles, protect us from our allergies, and take off and keep off the weight we so want off. The people on TV who are praising and promoting the medicines are, of course, young, beautiful, handsome, and happy. Or older, beautiful, handsome, wiser, and happy. All of them always appearing to be healthy. But for the end of those medicine commercials, there’s often a voice warning us about the “side effects” of the medicines that can cause infections and even heart disease. A warning I recently heard says, “If you’re allergic to a medicine, stop taking it and call your doctor.” While listening to that, I said to myself, “What? If allergic to a medicine, stop taking it? Duh!”
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5666842/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_8-8-24_2024-08-08-183842.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson’s Perspective: I said to myself, ‘What?’.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: We’re getting too used to gun violence.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Millennium Park, a $490 million treat.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Time to move Chicago’s Pride Parade?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Summertime is trouble time.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Oh, so wild are the politics of campaigning for president. If you’ve had enough of it by now, you might turn your attention to the US Supreme Court and some good news you may be missing. The court has declared it will not rule, or even consider, a request by the national gun lobby to overturn a gun control law passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Pritzker. It’s a good and tough law prohibiting the manufacture, advertising, and selling or buying a military style rifle anywhere in Illinois, like an AR-15 rifle, for example, that’s now a popular weapon for mass murder. The law was passed in response to the mass murder during the July 4th parade in Highland Park. Six people were killed, 30 people wounded. Since then, our gun control law has been condemned by gun lobbyists, including the sheriffs of several counties in Illinois announcing they will not enforce the law. Meanwhile, during the recent July 4th weekend in Chicago, eight people were shot dead, six wounded. In the weekend before that, in Chicago, 12 shot dead, 60 wounded, Nationwide, on July 4th, 238 shot dead, 618 wounded. Shocking. Yes. Sickening. Yes. Hard to believe. Yes. Hard even to imagine. No. Because we’re getting used to it. Too used to it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5400442/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_7-25-24_2024-07-25-182742.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: We’re getting too used to gun violence.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Millennium Park, a $490 million treat.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Time to move Chicago’s Pride Parade?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Summertime is trouble time.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}I’m hoping to see if Trump, Biden are healthy and clear-headed.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The shock and terror of an attempted assassination of Donald Trump and another weekend of gun violence in Chicago. I’m trying to find something good to think and feel about. How about the 20th birthday of Millennium Park, also known as Millennium Campus? It’s been 20 years since it all began and has now become one of the ten most popular tourist attractions in the United States. 24 acres of a stunningly beautiful, educationally enlightening, and fun place to be. An on-campus ice rink, a 40 foot climbing wall, a magnificent outdoor theatre presenting symphony music to hear. For children, a fantasy land in the spirit of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” including a tube slide and a big ship to explore. For mom and dad, a masterpiece of botanical landscaping to stroll through alongside the largest beer garden in Chicago next to a variety of open-air art galleries and the amazing Bean to selfie. And the star of it all, Chicago’s Art Institute, one of the world’s most celebrated art museums. Not to mention those famous Crown Fountains. The open-air photo gallery showers for all people of all ages to splash around in. Millennium Park and Campus, a $490 million treat. In our difficult world right now, it’s hard to be thinking or feeling anything that’s better, or even as good as, Millennium Park and Campus, almost all of which, for all of us, is for free.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5349703/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_7-18-24_2024-07-18-163703.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: We’re getting too used to gun violence.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Millennium Park, a $490 million treat.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Time to move Chicago’s Pride Parade?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Summertime is trouble time.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}I’m hoping to see if Trump, Biden are healthy and clear-headed.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In our windy, wonderful Chicago, the only thing more powerful than a politician is a newspaper. Specifically, the Chicago Tribune being read every day by hundreds of thousands of people. Which means that what the Tribune says matters. A lot. Three days ago, on page one of the Tribune’s opinion section, its columnist Laura Washington, one of the best Chicago newspaper and television commentators, flexed her considerable muscle on the subject of Chicago’s annual Pride Parade. Time to move it, she said, out of the peaceful Lakeview neighborhood, where it’s been marching for more than 30 years and often causing bad behavior by a million alcohol and now marijuana-using parade watchers. Move it downtown to State Street or Columbus Drive, said Laura Washington’s Tribune editorial, where it can be better monitored by police. The Pride Parade last week was described by the Tribune editorial as leading to fights and arrests, charging assault and battery, and obstructing and throwing bottles at police and unlawfully bearing firearms. When the parade ended, hundreds of the people watching turned back into the bars on Clark Street. So why, asked the Tribune, does City Hall continue to march the great Chicago Pride Parade in Lakeview? At the end of the parade, said the Tribune, it was replaced by an aftertaste of chaos. How sad but accurate.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5301383/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_7-11-24_2024-07-11-174523.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Time to move Chicago’s Pride Parade?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Summertime is trouble time.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}I’m hoping to see if Trump, Biden are healthy and clear-headed.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Supreme Court code of ethics seems to be unethical.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Best wishes and a toast to butterflies!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Summertime is trouble time and a good time to say “bravo” to a Chicago Alderman trying to prevent trouble. That’s Alderman Brian Hopkins of the 2nd Ward, which includes part of the downtown business district and West Loop, River North, and Streeterville. Hopkins has proposed an 8:00 PM curfew for children under 18 walking those neighborhoods unaccompanied by a parent or guardian to prevent misbehaving and dangerous children from breaking into stores to steal things or just roaming around looking for trouble, beating up a tourist or a neighbor or two enjoying an evening outdoors. That happens. We all know it happens as it did happen at 9:15 PM recently in Streeterville. A bunch of teenage bullies walked up to a 40-year-old pregnant neighbor and her husband. According to police, one of the bunch said to the couple, “We own this neighborhood and we want you out of it.” A 14-year-old bully boy then punched the husband while a 16-year-old bully girl grabbed his wife’s hair, knocked her down, and dragged her along the cement sidewalk. The bullies ran away but were caught, arrested, and charged with battery. She lost her baby. The Hopkins 8 PM curfew is opposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and a few members of the City Council who sent the curfew to a committee to stop it from being passed, saying it’ll violate the First Amendment to the Constitution that guarantees the right to free speech. And they say it’s confusing to enforce, will punish non-criminal behavior, and cause a drain on Police Department resources. The mayor and members of City Council opposing the curfew also say it’s unnecessary. I say they’re unnecessary.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5273260/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_7-4-24_2024-07-03-191200.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Summertime is trouble time.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}I’m hoping to see if Trump, Biden are healthy and clear-headed.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Supreme Court code of ethics seems to be unethical.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Best wishes and a toast to butterflies!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Please, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Finally, finally, tonight, the presidential debate live on cable TV, CNN. If you have cable and plan to watch, what are you thinking? What are you hoping to see and to hear? Like millions of people around the world, I’m hoping to see and hear if Trump and Biden are healthy and clear-headed enough to do the toughest job in the world? Donald Trump is 77 years old. Joe Biden is 81. Both of them may be too old to do the job the way they’re saying they’ll do it. Each of them is insisting he’ll do it better than the other, and they’re so-called independent doctors are being instructed to deliver that message. In a three paragraph statement eight months ago, Trump said his doctor said his cognitive exams are exceptional but said nothing about what was involved in the exams. About other matters of candidate health, Biden’s press people say Joe Biden works out lifting weights and exercising on a Peloton bike machine. Any more about health? No, nothing. Maybe in the debate tonight, Trump and Biden will ask each other about cognition and health. Maybe. But don’t count on it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5248184/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_6-27-24_2024-06-27-161424.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveI’m hoping to see if Trump, Biden are healthy and clear-headed.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Supreme Court code of ethics seems to be unethical.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Best wishes and a toast to butterflies!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Please, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A well-deserved honor for Jesse White.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The bad news about Justice Clarence Thomas of the US Supreme Court is getting worse with more revelations of Justice Thomas keeping a secret that he has received hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of gifts from a billionaire political donor suspected of buying votes on issues that are, or soon may be, considered by the Court. The latest bad news is about Justice Thomas receiving from that political donor some round-trip private jet travel between various destinations in the US and once even to Indonesia for an 8-day yachting vacation, courtesy of the ever-generous political donor. None of which did Justice Thomas disclose in his personal financial reports the Justices have pledged to disclose. The reason we know about it is that the US Congress is investigating money gifts to members of the Court, and the media, and a few members of Congress, are asking questions that have embarrassed the Court into creating, oh reluctantly, the first Supreme Court code of ethics in 200 years. There is strong language in the code requiring Justices to itemize the gifts they receive and whom they’re from, but very weak language on how to enforce the code. For almost 200 years, the Court avoided a code until now it’s created a great code of ethics that seems to be unethical.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5176280/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_6-20-24_2024-06-20-193020.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveSupreme Court code of ethics seems to be unethical.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Best wishes and a toast to butterflies!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Please, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A well-deserved honor for Jesse White.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Bears waste no time to cash in on Caleb.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
For as long as I can remember, the Sunday morning newspapers for me have been an every Sunday must, because in addition to behind-the-scenes politics, there are all kinds of news. Like last Sunday, the news about Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin of Florida traveling to France to get married on the 80th anniversary of American forces during World War II, the landing on the beaches of Normandy. After their wedding, Harold and Jeanne were invited to a state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden. There were speeches, cheers, and a standing ovation by a happy crowd offering toasts. In my Sunday papers, there were pictures of Harold and Jeanne, he being a veteran of the Normandy landing, she being his sweetheart for many years. Harold is now 100 years old. Jeanne is 96. He said the wedding was the best day of his life She said he’s the best kisser ever. And they kissed again until he came up for air and said, “That’s it for now,” to which she replied, “You mean there’s more later?” Together, they said, love is not just for the young. We get butterflies too. And also a little action. So what’s left for me to say is that from Chicago, Harold and Jeanne, congratulations! Best wishes and a toast to butterflies! And for more years of your love and kisses!
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5135791/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_6-13-24_2024-06-13-160731.64kmono.mp3100-year-old WWII veteran marries bride near Normandy’s D-Day beachesUS WWII veteran Harold Terens, 100, left, and Jeanne Swerlin, 96, arrive to celebrate their wedding at the town hall of Carentan-les-Marais, in Normandy, northwestern France, on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Together, the collective age of the bride and groom was nearly 200. But Terens and his sweetheart Jeanne Swerlin proved that love is eternal as they tied the knot Saturday inland of the D-Day beaches in Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Jeremias Gonzalez)Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveSupreme Court code of ethics seems to be unethical.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Best wishes and a toast to butterflies!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Please, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A well-deserved honor for Jesse White.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Bears waste no time to cash in on Caleb.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Heads up, everybody! Heads up! Kim Foxx, the State’s Attorney of Cook County, wants us to know she is instructing prosecutors in her office not to prosecute people who are driving cars that are stopped by police for routine traffic violations, then searched for illegal guns and drugs. She says too many people are stopped because they’re Black or Latino, most of whom she says are not found to be carrying poor hiding drugs or guns. In other words, the problem is more racial than criminal. The police are saying that stopping and searching is the best way to prevent guns and drugs from doing damage to Chicago neighborhoods, especially neighborhoods on the West and South sides. The State’s Attorney says she’s facing increasingly more incidents involving police stopping people of color. Some members of the Chicago City Council are saying if neighborhoods are to be safe, police and prosecutors must do everything they can to get drugs and guns off the streets. My neighborhood has had gun trouble, so I know the fear of what can happen and the value of a message delivered publicly during a prosecution. And I disagree with our State’s Attorney. Please, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/5063160/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_6-6-24_2024-06-05-193400.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectivePlease, Ms. Foxx, don’t put restraints on your prosecutors.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A well-deserved honor for Jesse White.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Bears waste no time to cash in on Caleb.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: For Boy Scouts, it’s time to change.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Bears will change their plan or give up on lakefront stadium.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Like so many people, I am glued to news about Donald Trump. But right now I’m thinking about a famous political person here in Illinois who is every bit as well-known as Trump because he was for so many years our Secretary of State. Of course, I’m thinking about Jesse White, whose name and no doubt his picture are soon to be, if they’re not already, prominently displayed in the downtown Chicago high rise that’s just been named by the General Assembly of Illinois, the Jesse White State of Illinois Building. An honor so well-deserved after a quarter of a century of Jesse White being Secretary of State and a master politician of clarity, honesty and a big warm heart. Jesse White, a champion of statewide campaigns, now 89 years old and having been elected and reelected six times and having created and developed the legendary Jesse White Tumblers and trained to tumbling perfection more than 17,000 Chicago children. Jesse White mastered Illinois politics to become the first and still only Black Secretary of State, described by friends and political foes alike to be always, always focused on making life better for everybody. About that, like so many people, I say yes. Yes, yes! For sure.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4869576/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_5-30-24_2024-05-30-171616.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A well-deserved honor for Jesse White.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Bears waste no time to cash in on Caleb.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: For Boy Scouts, it’s time to change.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Bears will change their plan or give up on lakefront stadium.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: How much money do Cubs owners need?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s not a surprise, not at all a surprise, that the Chicago Bears are wasting no time at all to cash in on Caleb Williams, the recently-drafted college superstar quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears owners and managers in Halas Hall appear to be charging the cost of hiring Caleb Williams to Bear fans, especially season ticket holders. Depending on seat locations at Soldier Field, the Bears are now pricing some tickets as much as 40% more than what they cost last season, without Caleb Williams. The average charge for a season ticket now being sold is about $7000, causing some season ticket holders and sports reporters to question, “Why?”. To which Halas Hall is not answering but seems to be thinking, “Oh, it’ll be easy to convince season ticket holders to be happy to pay whenever the Hall asks them to pay.” Despite being not much good at winning, it’s been easy for the Bears for so many years to charge so many dollars for a season ticket. In our town, the only game easier to play than politics is the money-new-stadium game in sports featuring the Bears versus the Bulls versus the Cubs versus the Sox versus the Hawks and now, watch out, versus the Sky. At this moment, Da Winner seems to me to be Da Bears.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4865601/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_5-23-24_2024-05-23-205501.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: Bears waste no time to cash in on Caleb.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: For Boy Scouts, it’s time to change.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Bears will change their plan or give up on lakefront stadium.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: How much money do Cubs owners need?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There’s big news being made by the Boy Scouts of America, changing their name from Boy Scouts of America to Scouting of America, a change halting a treasured tradition of more than 100 years calling that group of elite young men the Boy Scouts of America. I never made it to the Boy Scouts, but I was a Cub Scout and am now so interested in the name change I’ve Googled Boy Scouts of America and found many now-famous Americans who, when young men, did make it. Famous in sports like Michael Jordan and Hank Aaron. In space, the astronauts Neil Armstrong and James Lovell. In movies, John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Harrison Ford. Martin Luther King and Walter Cronkite were Boy Scouts, as were Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford and John Kennedy. The list of famous men who, as boys, were Boy Scouts is very long. No girls, because the Boy Scouts kept them out of Boy Scouts of America until just a few years ago when a few girls were allowed by the boys to participate in a few Boy Scout activities. How embarrassing. So embarrassing that on February 8th of next year, 2025, the Boy Scouts of America will officially, legally, become Scouting of America. Sometimes it takes time to change. For the Boy Scouts of America, it’s about time.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4861687/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_5-16-24_2024-05-16-175827.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: For Boy Scouts, it’s time to change.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Bears will change their plan or give up on lakefront stadium.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: How much money do Cubs owners need?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There are so many ups and downs in the news about the Chicago Bears. Good news about the Bears drafting a superstar college quarterback and a superstar college wide receiver. Very good news. But, for the Bears, there’s bad news about their plans to build a $4,700,000,000 stadium on Chicago’s beloved lakefront, a plan that’s causing Chicago’s two most-often-read and therefore most-powerful newspapers, the Tribune and the Sun-Times. telling the Bears to cool it, slow down. Too many problems you’re not solving. An editorial headline in the Tribune says the Bears are planning a “distasteful football palace, groveling for taxpayer subsidies” despite the overwhelming negativity of Governor Pritzker and prominent members of the Illinois General Assembly advocating protection of the lakefront. The Tribune also says, “The Bears may stir Chicago’s blood with a splashy pitch for a lakefront stadium. We at the Tribune are not convinced.” An editorial headline in the Sun-Times about the Bears plans for a new stadium cautions the Assembly to “slam on the brakes.” Considering those headlines and the muscle of the media printing them, it is safe to speculate the Bears will change their plan or give up on a lakefront stadium. Power politics in Chicago are important to consider and oh so much fun to watch.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4856989/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_5-9-24_2024-05-09-183329.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveBears will change their plan or give up on lakefront stadium.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: How much money do Cubs owners need?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The NFL Draft being done, the football fuss is winding down, so let’s talk baseball. My thoughts are on the Cubs because I forever have been a Cubs fan. I’m a little guy, about 5’5” and 140 lbs, but a very big Cubs fan. In fact, 72 years ago, when I was 15 years old, I talked my way into a job as Cubs bat boy and so loved the Cubs that when, after two seasons, my bat boy job ended, I chased after my parents to please, please move our family from Rogers Park to Wrigleyville where I wanted us to live so that when the Cubs played at home I could do what Wrigley villagers do: Put on my mitt and hang out on Waveland Ave. to chase home runs flying over the left field bleachers in Wrigley. I would not want to live in Wrigleyville now because of an ordinance just passed by the Chicago City Council permitting two more of those huge signs on Wrigleyville rooftops, one of them to advertise Coca-Cola, another to advertise paint, despite the fact that Wrigleyville is a lovely, peaceful, residential neighborhood. That ordinance permitting more signs says the money the signs earned is to be shared with the Cubs, which raises a fair question, or fair to me, anyway. How much more money do the billionaire Cubs owners need? A fair answer, to me, anyway, is as much more money as the Cub owners can get. But the neighborhood needs is for some Cub pitching to strike out the ordinance.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4798461/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_5-2-24_2024-05-02-194901.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: How much money do Cubs owners need?.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In the wild world of professional sports, for many months now in Chicago, thousands, possibly millions, of eyes and ears have been waiting to know what will happen in the National Football League, the NFL Draft, that begins tonight at 7:00 in which our Bear Down, Chicago Bears are expected to choose a new quarterback for the team and for us forever-hopeful Bear fans. He is Caleb Williams, 6 feet 2 inches tall, about 210 lbs, and a Heisman Trophy winner for the University of Southern California. During his two seasons at USC, he completed 67% of his passes for more than 8,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. His passes averaged 9.3 yards. Just imagine how nice that would be at 3rd and 10. And when not passing, Caleb Williams was running for more than 500 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is a star, no doubt about it. I am sad to have to remember the NFL Draft when our Bears did not draft Patrick Mahomes, ignored him to draft Mitch Trubisky, leaving Mahomes for the Kansas City Chiefs to draft and to win three Super Bowls and six NFL division titles. Thankfully, those days are gone and a new day with a new quarterback is about to arrive. So I’m singing, Bear Down, Caleb Williams, lead us to a Super Bowl and division championships. In advance, Mr. Williams, I for one, thank you, and am again hoping, and hoping, and hoping.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4703765/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-25-24_2024-04-25-181105.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I don’t know very much about the songs of Taylor Swift. But I’m learning a lot about her skill at making herself world-famous. My latest lesson is right now, right here in Chicago, a short walk from where I live. It’s in River North on Grand Avenue at Dearborn, a great big mural of a QR code on the outside wall of a great big downtown Chicago building. Since walking by it, I’ve begun some, admittedly less-than-scholarly research, and so now I understand the mural is a typical Taylor Swift message about a new Taylor Swift album soon-to-be-released. The name of the album being The Tortured Poets Department. If you scan the mural, you can watch a 13 second animated YouTube movie plugging the album, because that’s her custom when she’s about to release a new one. I’m thinking good for Taylor Swift and for her now-billion-dollar business.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4648428/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-18-24_2024-04-18-035428.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson’s Perspective 2-15-24: Vice President Swift?Taylor Swift fans gather outside a building where a mural featuring a large QR code was being painted to promote Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on April 17, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. Fans scanned the code, danced and sang along to Taylor Swift music, which was being played at the worksite. The QR code links to a video clip with the message “Error 321” and offers options to pre-order the album on cassette, CD or vinyl. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Hey there, everybody, heads up! The campaigns for membership on Chicago’s first-ever publicly-elected Board of Education are now underway. Dozens of political newbies are declaring or planning to declare their intentions to take control of the education of a quarter of a million children in our public schools. To become candidates for a Board of Ed., scheduled by the politicians in Springfield to take control next year, the newbies are rounding up 1,000 signatures each on election petitions. All a Board of Ed. campaigner has to be is at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States, a resident of Chicago in one of what will be 20 Board of Ed. Districts, and a registered Chicago voter. The new Board of Ed. election will be on November 5, 2024, same day as the US Presidential Election. I’m among the people who oppose an elected school board because I’ve been reporting on Chicago elections for 60 years and know pretty well that when votes are counted, challenged, and recounted, we are likely to get a Board of Education that knows not much about public school budgets, classroom discipline, and which books to put into and keep out of public school libraries. What we are sure to get is a Board of Education that knows a lot about precincts and precinct captains, knocking on doors, kissing babies, how to make and then avoid promises. Better that we continue having a Board of Education appointed by the Mayor of Chicago, so when there’s trouble, we know where to go to at least try to get out of it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4616357/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-11-24_2024-04-11-170957.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s been almost a month now since the Chicago Bears came up with a new idea about where they want to play football and where they want us to watch them play. The Bears are planning to build themselves and us another new stadium. Not way, way away in Arlington Heights, but in the city, a dazzling new stadium on what is now an old parking lot just outside the south side of Soldier Field. And not only a stadium, but also a little forest and a big garden designed to attract families and tourists to the lakefront where there will be shops and bars and restaurants and maybe even a fancy hotel. And the best thing about a new stadium will be more seats than the 60,000 in Soldier Field. Enough seats to qualify the Bears to host the Super Bowl. Building a stadium will create hundreds of jobs, boost the economy, and earn for Chicago millions of new dollars in taxes. And an especially exciting thing about a new stadium will be a roof to keep Chicago ice and snow off a new quarterback, a Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Southern California, where he’s been playing football under blue skies and 50°. So, “Bear down, Chicago Bears! Make every play, clear a way to victory!” A stadium with a roof! Yes, yes, a roof! And a future looking pretty good.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4591862/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-4-24_2024-04-04-192502.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Those always-relentless tough guy federal prosecutors are now in tough pursuit of Apple. Oh, not the apple my mother told me to eat once a day to keep the doctor away, but the Apple Company that’s worth nearly $3 trillion and is one of the most famously profitable companies in the world. The US Department of Justice is accusing Apple of violating antitrust laws, undermining the development of telephone technology, criminally taking money away from consumers, and “smothering free trade,” all of which is all over the news. While equally newsworthy, but not so much in the news right now, are companies admitting wrongdoing and paying fines or settling lawsuits. Northwestern University, for example, has agreed to a settlement to pay $43 million for increasing tuitions on students receiving financial aid. The Morgan Stanley Investment Company has agreed to a settlement of $249 million for mismanaging some stock trades. And an advertising business promoting the infamous pain killing drug Oxycontin and three other painkillers has agreed to settle a $350 million lawsuit for mismanaging ad campaigns. Add it all up and I think you’ll agree there’s something wrong with it all and that somebody sure ought to fix it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4584842/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-28-24_2024-03-28-204042.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s for sure and forever in Chicago that the biggest decisions being made in City Hall are swayed by politics. Like the recent decision by Mayor Johnson to evict thousands of migrants who’ve been living in city shelters for 60 days or more. That is a problem. Where do evicted migrants go? How much does it cost to take care of them? A problem so big and expensive, says the mayor, it’s nearly impossible to solve, which makes the decision a political problem. 18 elected members of the City Council have signed a letter to Mayor Johnson beseeching him not to evict migrants because, the letter says, “evictions violate Chicago values and severely harm migrants whom Chicago has worked diligently to support.” The letter was a political dig at His Honor, which of course caused His Honor, politically, to dig back. He delayed a few already-scheduled evictions while declaring evictions as city policy. And he’s promising he’ll soon evict more. Which confirms the idea that big decisions in City Hall are being made the same old, same old way of being swayed for sure and forever by politics.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4517035/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-21-24_2024-03-21-212735.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There is a big smile on my face this morning because I have something good to say about big business in Chicago. Specifically the JPMorgan Chase big banking business in a 60-story skyscraper on South Dearborn St., two blocks west of the Art Institute, best known as the Morgan Chase Office Tower. 2,000,000 square feet for thousands of Morgan Chase and other big business employees and tourists flocking to the tower to see the famous Marc Chagall Four Seasons mosaic now sitting in what will be a big outdoor garden. The tower is about to be renovated to include a state-of-the-art fitness center and a new food court. In fact, a whole new interior design, new colors, new steel, new wood, new glass, top-to-bottom new everything, all to be finished within two years. A magnificent rehab, says Morgan Chase, that will further crown The Loop as one of the world’s great financial centers. The plan is to challenge the comforts of business at home, to draw people back to the collaboration of business in an office, and to enjoy the excitement of events and restaurants downtown. Hats off to you, Morgan Chase, and lots, lots, of good luck!
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4505297/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-14-24_2024-03-14-163737.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In presidential politics, this week is prime time. Two days ago, on Super Tuesday, 15 states voted in party primaries. And tonight, during a joint session of the Congress, President Biden will deliver a State of the Union address, painting a pretty picture of his three years in office. How fine a job he’ll say he’s doing, and how fine a job he’ll say his Vice President, Kamala Harris, is doing. That praise is contrary to what public opinion polls and talking heads in the media are saying about Kamala Harris, that her time has been not at all a pretty picture, that she is not an articulate or forceful advocate of President Biden policies. Her numbers in the opinion polls, they say, are too low. And in her public speeches and news interviews, too many gaffes. The Kamala Harris critics are saying that she’s just another loyal politician who is not up to the job of Vice President. I say, I disagree. Kamala Harris is a former criminal prosecutor and elected attorney general and United States Senator from California who clearly is up to the job of Vice President. Her experience in government and politics include leadership roles worldwide in support of civil rights and equality for women. Earlier this week, she led a memorial march in Selma, AL. And in the White House, she met with a member of the War Cabinet of Israel. In my opinion, the Kamala Harris critics are picking on her for no reason other than politics, and it’s about time for them to stop it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4502895/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_3-7-24_2024-03-07-043135.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The heat on Mayor Brandon Johnson is more heat than any heat on any Chicago mayor in the past nearly 80 years. Two Mayor Daleys, one Mayor Bilandic, one Mayor Byrne, one Sawyer, one Emanuel, one Lightfoot. Those mayors were, as Mayor Johnson now is, off and on, in some kind of trouble. For some number of months. But not one of those past mayors was repeatedly blistered like Johnson’s being blistered by the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times. Both those newspapers seem to be saying they have had enough of Mayor Johnson being too slow to solve Chicago’s migrant or crime or gun problems. They clearly are saying Mayor Johnson doesn’t know what he’s doing, especially doesn’t know Chicago media. Brandon Johnson is a rookie mayor searching for ways to deal with Chicago style roughneck reporting. The Tribune and Sun-Times are powerfully influential newspapers telling Mayor Johnson to find himself some politically savvy Chicago advisors who understand Chicago government versus Chicago journalism. Advisors who are especially necessary now during an approaching Democratic Party convention that can erupt into another 1968 kind of convention firestorm. May I suggest, Mr. Mayor, that you ask a few of your most knowledgeable Chicago personal friends to help you make a list of politically savvy advisors. Then find a way to hire them. And take their advice.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4500951/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-29-24_2024-02-29-202951.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Last week, one day after the Super Bowl, during a public celebration in Kansas City, MO, a mother of two was shot dead, 22 other people wounded, in yet another mass shooting. While on that same day, the Illinois Rifle Association asked the US Supreme Court to abolish our gun control law that prohibits advertising and selling military style rifles. Now on the Internet, you and your children and anyone else anywhere can learn how to buy and then conceal all kinds of rifles and handguns, shotguns, machine guns, described by the gun sellers as exciting to hold, accurate to shoot, and oh so easy to trigger. And about ammunition? Bullets are advertised on the Internet at bargain prices. Our country is gun violent. Read the statistics on murder by guns and accidents and suicides. We need laws to stop the killing. So come on, Your Honors, you supreme justices of the Supreme Court. Help us. Don’t trash that Illinois gun control law. Make it tougher.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4498666/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-22-24_2024-02-22-165606.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Did I see the Sunday Super Bowl. Of course I did. I was glued to it, all of it, before, during and after the game. Did I look for Taylor Swift? Of course I did that too, because Taylor Swift is being described by mass media as the most famous person in the world. Taylor Swift, a 34-year-old pop culture phenomenon whose sensational concert tour has been made into a movie that scored more than a billion dollars its first day in theaters. Taylor Swift is a worldwide celebrity of influence. So much influence that President Biden is reported to be hoping she’ll help him campaign for reelection due to all the talk about him being 81 years old. Joe Biden needs help and there’s evidence that millions of Swifties are willing and ready to help. Though highly unlikely, it’s possible that Uncle Joe will sign her on as his vice presidential running mate. And it will be possible for them to win. Which begs the question, exactly how can she help this campaign? How tough of a Nikki Haley kind of fighter can Taylor Swift be? If she’s world famous now just imagine how famous she’ll be answering that question. In politics, there’s nothing much that matters as much as fame.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4496488/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-15-24_2024-02-15-200628.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There is a new headache bugging Chicago’s headstrong Mayor Brandon Johnson, caused by newspaper headlines about a public opinion poll on how Mayor Johnson’s doing in his new job. According to the poll, not very well. Only 21% of 500 registered voters in Chicago approve of how Johnson’s doing. Nearly 70% disapprove and are rating his performance as just fair to poor. Those headlines about Mayor Johnson are in the news during these hard times of tough issues. The migrants, the gun violence in Chicago neighborhoods, the police in Chicago Public Schools. Mayor Johnson wants the cops out of public school and has told the Chicago Board of Education to get them out, which it seems to me, would be a wrong thing to do. In the news of killer shootings in public schools, the facts are 14 students dead in Parkland, Florida, 19 dead in Uvalde, Texas, 20 students dead in Newtown, Connecticut. In Chicago, just a few days ago, a student was shot dead, two students wounded, on their way home from school. If there’s a possibility, even a remote possibility, the Chicago police officer can prevent the shooting of yet another student, don’t take him or her out of any public school. Safer yet, Mr. Mayor, put more police in.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4492814/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-8-24_2024-02-08-201114.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I am lonesome, so lonesome. I miss my corner grocery store, and my neighbors miss it too. Our store. It’s been gone now for three months, wiped off the corner by one of those real estate money wars being waged on the Near North Side of Chicago. Many of my neighbors and I are senior citizens who need our corner store. We used to walk to it, often four or five times a week, for our all-of-a-sudden last-minute shopping. Well, not anymore. We are now collateral damage of the money war that destroyed our wonderful little store that was where it was for 45 years. Destroyed it because the landlord of the building it was in figured it could make more money rehabbing and renting or rehabbing and selling for condos. But hey, Mr. Landlord. If for whatever reason you cannot make more money rehabbing and renting or rehabbing and selling, maybe you might consider returning to us our little grocery store. Thank you.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4485939/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_2-1-24_2024-02-01-045039.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The migrant problem in Chicago is bad, bad, bad. And the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, is making it worse, worse. Day-by-day, by bus and airplane, Governor Abbott has been sending migrants from the Mexico-Texas border to Chicago, and he’s promising to continue sending them until, he says, President Biden secures that border. Chicago is a sanctuary city, now preparing for migrants in addition to the more than 30,000 migrants Governor Abbott already has sent our way. Never minding that Texas is the nation’s wealthiest state that easily can afford to care for migrants. There are more billionaires living in Texas than in any other state of the United States. Elon Musk of Texas is worth $240 billion, and members of the Texas Walton family, who own Walmart, worth $260 billion. They are able, comfortably, to help. But the governor of Texas would rather send us migrants than money. If you’d like to e-mail or write to the governor, he’s Greg Abbott, in my opinion, a bad, bad guy.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4483727/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-25-24_2024-01-25-041027.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It’s not easy for me to think of something positive to say about Hunter Biden, President Biden’s son, because he’s been indicted by a federal grand jury on criminal charges involving tax evasion. It’s also not easy because Hunter Biden is defying a Congressional subpoena to testify during an impeachment proceeding against his father, the President, being conducted by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Those Republicans are saying Hunter and his father, the President, are conspiring to obstruct the impeachment proceedings. They want to question him about that, and they’ve subpoenaed him to answer questions, in private, which means, in secret. Hunter says he will answer questions, but they must be asked and answered in public. He emphatically denies any such conspiracy and says that he fears that in private Republican inquisitors will leak to the media carefully selected political questions along with a barrage of negative opinions about Hunter Biden. Which of course the Republicans will do, just like if the tables were turned the Congressional Democrats would do. The question for me, dear listeners, is do you doubt that? To which my answer is, if you doubt it, don’t.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4481015/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-18-24_2024-01-17-211815.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The Great Wardrobe Debate in the United States Senate has ended, or at least for now it’s ended. But it will be back because it is an endless debate what a Senator should wear while on the floor of the Senate. If you missed the most recent wardrobe debate, you may not know that it exploded last September when the dress code was wiped out by order of the Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Most members of both political parties favor a dress code and the debate got hot and stayed hot for about a month until a majority of the Senate voted the dress code back in. Now there are hints the debate is soon to begin again and get hot again and if we the people do have a vote, say in a public opinion poll, I for one will vote yes, please, keep the dress code because it’s important that the Senate demonstrates dignity.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4479236/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-11-24_2024-01-11-212136.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Have you been reading the news about Dorothy Jean Tillman? If not, you’re missing a story not to be missed. A really wonderful story. Dorothy Jean Tillman is a granddaughter of a former Chicago alderwoman. Dorothy Jean is 17-years-old, of the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side. I’ve been reading about her graduating from Arizona State University with a PhD in behavioral health and her studies and degrees in psychology and behavior. Dorothy Jean is the founder of the STEAM Institute, for science, technology, engineering, arts and math programs for children, including summer camps that she personally is funding. When she was 12-years-old, Dorothy Jean was earning a college degree. When 14, a master’s degree in environmental science. What a treat it is to read all that good news at the end of a year of so much bad news. We’ve been needing good news. So thank you Miss… about to be Dr. Tillman for sharing your very good news.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4475692/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-4-24_2024-01-03-214732.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
He’s getting what he deserves, that once-upon-a-time good guy who is now a bad guy. Rudy Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor and mayor of New York ordered by a federal court to pay $148 million to two women, a mother and daughter, election workers in the 2020 Trump vs. Biden race in Georgia. Rudy was found by the court to have fabricated a story about the women stealing votes for Donald Trump. A lie, said the court, that Rudy spread through the media. The court ruled there was no evidence of the women stealing anything and that Rudy caused them to suffer death threats and has defamed them. Rudy is appealing the court order that he pay the women and he’s filed for bankruptcy. In politics, the whispering is that Rudy is a smart guy who should have thought about the consequences of defamation, not only $148 million but the possibility of prison. Thoughts about consequences he no doubt should have had.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4474115/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-28-23_2023-12-28-001615.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In the courtroom trials of former President Donald Trump, those two very well-known words “gag” and “order” are being heard and read as one word: “gag-order.” Trump is accused by federal prosecutors of election interference and accused by judges of trying to sway jurors. While in Chicago, there’s the trial of former Alderman Ed Burke, accused of bribery and attempted extortion. In that trial, it seems to me, there’s been reason, good reason, for gag-orders on the Chicago Tribune and the Sun-Times to prevent them from trying to sway jurors. All during the Burke trial – for two months – the newspapers printed stories of bad behavior by Burke, stories featuring anonymous descriptions of Burke as “corrupt and untouchable.” Gag-orders are for protecting the fairness of a trial by preventing free-speaking litigants from supporting or disparaging a defendant. I think the only way the Burke trial could have been as fair as it was supposed to have been would have been the judge gag-ordering some of that newspaper reporting. So, I believe it’s fair for me to say, “Cheers for gag-ordering.”
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4472438/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-21-23_2023-12-20-220438.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
In sports news this week, the big news is about baseball. A $700 million contract for a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher. His name is Shohei Ohtani. He’s 29 years old, pitching fastballs at 99 miles an hour, and when not pitching, he’s batting at a nearly 300 average. It is in no way illegal or even unfair of baseball’s owners and players to earn and enjoy the fruits of their labor. But because so many people around the world are suffering and dying of preventable and curable diseases, maybe Major League Baseball could be required, or at least asked, to please share just a little more of its taxable baseball fortune. Maybe it’s time for baseball to give back?
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4470485/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-14-23_2023-12-14-162325.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
For many, many years, I’ve considered Joe Biden to be a thoughtful, knowledgeable, skillful politician. And I believe he’s been qualified for all the offices to which he’s been elected. He’s an honest and decent person. But in my opinion, it’s time for him to end his campaign to be re-elected. And, I believe I’m qualified to say so in part because Joe and I are about the same age. He’s 81. I’m 86. The demands on the presidency are overwhelming. At 81, Joe Biden is beyond a comfortable age to begin four more years of dealing with both friendly and hostile leaders of the Biden-rank in political office. When I watch him descending the stairs of an airplane, I worry about him. When I see him lost in a Joe Biden gaffe, I say to myself, “Oh no, Joe, you’re not up to four more years.”
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4468426/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-7-23_2023-12-07-190126.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Most of Chicago is too busy these holidays to be thinking or even knowing about something really good going on in City Hall. The City Council being in the process of passing another law to crack down on noise. A law to require Chicago to install cameras with microphones on lampposts in and around downtown and empower police to ticket and fine people driving cars with revved up and excessively noisy mufflers. A crackdown on muffler noise is a great idea. Tickets and fines are still being determined. So, while our Council is considering, “Shhhh, be quiet!”
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4466197/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-30-23_2023-11-30-192537.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
All of a sudden, the most interesting player in presidential politics is not Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley or Joe Biden. They’re not saying anything new. Let’s have a look at Joe Manchin. Senator Joe Manchin is aching to be the presidential candidate of a third party running for the Oval Office. What he has going for him is his experience in combative politics and his personal wealth of multi-millions. Going against him is his history of being a kingpin in the businesses of mining and selling coal. That’s what made him wealthy but not much trusted in this time of need for climate control. What’s making him worth watching is his lust for the presidency atop a third party ticket. Biden vs. Trump vs. Manchin.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4459860/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-16-23_2023-11-15-221100.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The criminal racketeering, bribery and extortion trial of Ed Burke has barely begun. But in City Hall and on the streets and the neighborhoods the whispering already is that the jury will find Burke guilty of most everything charged. Not because he is guilty, which we have not yet determined. But because members of the jury may have been and still may be reading about Ed Burke in Chicago’s two most influential newspapers. I don’t know if Ed Burke is guilty. But I do know those newspapers are describing him as the major player in the Chicago Way of government corruption. A juror reading the Sun-Times or Tribune descriptions of Burke might find it hard to vote “not guilty.” Those newspapers ought to be more careful about what they’re saying.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4455454/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-9-23_2023-11-09-171854.64kmono.mp3Recent editionsWalter Jacobson’s PerspectiveWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
It is hard right now to find good news in the news. But here is some very good news. The Attorney General of the State of Illinois is joining a team of Attorneys General that is filing lawsuits against Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms accusing them of feeding children false information, enticing teenagers to spread dangerous information that can cause depression, anxiety, or a real or imagined flaw in a physical appearance that can lead a teenager to harm himself or herself. Our good Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says that Facebook, Instagram and other platforms are motivated by profit and are spreading dangers that are “profoundly altering the social and psychological realities of a generation of young Americans” in what he’s calling a national crisis. Thank you, General Raoul, for knowing children are in a crisis and for being determined to help them out of it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4452009/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_11-2-23_2023-11-02-173409.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Wherever you are, you no doubt have heard the news that Chicago’s weatherman, Tom Skilling of WGN Channel 9 TV, come next February will retire. I’ve heard it and am thinking, good for Tom Skilling. Not good for hundreds of thousands of the rest of us afraid to go to bed at night without hearing a Skilling forecast. He’s not only nice and likely the best media weatherperson in the country but also the most loyal to people with whom he’s worked for many years.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4449762/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-26-23_2023-10-26-160902.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
The news reports about suffering and death in Israel and Gaza are so painful to watch that it is hard for me to turn on the TV. But it would be harder for me not to turn it on because of how important it is to keep up with the news. So I am turning on the TV and seeing something that compels me to shout out against what TV is doing, showing those pictures of dead and decaying bodies on the streets of Israel and Gaza. The pictures are not bringing an end to the bloodbath. They are bringing to television ratings and advertising dollars. Enough of those pictures of dead and decaying bodies. When there is time for talk on TV, please use it to better inform us about the history of Israel and Gaza and to explain the failures of both to avoid what’s happening there now.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4447426/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-19-23_2023-10-19-174726.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Chicago’s yearly, lovable Columbus Day Parade walked off on schedule three days ago. There were more than a thousand people in the parade or watching and cheering, many of them hoping that someday soon City Hall will return their statue of Christopher Columbus to Arrigo Park in the Little Italy neighborhood on the near Southwest side where, 2 1/2 years ago, during a political protest, the statue was vandalized and removed by Mayor Lightfoot and stashed away in hiding. She promised that when she believed the statue would not again be an object of political protest she would return it to Arrigo Park. But she never did. So, now returning it is up to our new mayor, Brandon Johnson, who says he’s in favor of returning it but needs a couple of weeks to think about it. The Columbus statue of Arrigo is of deep feeling and ethnic importance to Chicago’s Italian-Americans who are still waiting for their statue to be released by City Hall and given back to Arrigo, where it belongs. Now the delay is a political problem. So, new Mister Mayor, it is time at long last, too long last Your Honor, to solve it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4445146/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-12-23_2023-10-12-164846.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I am not a gambler. I’ve never been or even wanted to go to Las Vegas. But, I’ve been dying to go to the big casino that’s just opened here in Chicago to see what it’s like. So last Saturday I went to the casino, got in for free – there’s no charge, and felt like I was in a Hollywood movie. Beautiful colors. Flashing lights and sounds. And three floors of gamblers. I had a terrific time watching it all. I’m not promoting big casino gambling. But I recommend watching it. Any time. Any day. Last Saturday was, for me, a terrific show. More fun than Sunday watching the Bears.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4442457/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_10-5-23_2023-10-04-204157.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
So, what are you thinking now about the Chicago Bears? For me, I’m thinking that the Bears are in deep, deep bleep. The Bears are a bad football team that’s lost 13 games in a row and not once in 13 years has made it to the NFL playoffs. What’s unclear is whether there is something, anything, the Bears are doing about it, and whether the Bears are capable of, or even trying to do something about it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4434537/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-28-23_2023-09-27-225837.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
I thought I could never think like John Catanzara, the politically extreme, often foul-mouthed President of the Chicago Police Union. But I’m thinking like him now as he criticizes City Hall’s decision to place homeless migrants in police stations. To help migrants, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is welcoming them to our Sanctuary City. OK, says Catanzara, but not in police workplaces. Welcome them, he says, into City Hall. Hmmm. That is a good idea.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4158546/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-14-23_2023-09-13-225746.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
What, oh what, is going on in the Department of Chicago Police? Here’s what. The temporary Chief of Police is on his way out, soon to be replaced, and is stepping, oh you might say stumbling, into trouble. His name is Fred Waller. His trouble is that in his hurry before being replaced he has promoted several policemen who have bad things in their record. Those records have been exposed under a newspaper headline hollering “Acting top cop shakes up command staff on his way out the door.” The moral of the story, Mr. Mayor, is to be more aware of bad behavior in City Hall. Or, if you must accept it, at least be more transparent about it.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4156363/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_9-7-23_2023-09-06-203203.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: A new day with a new QB about to arrive.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Taylor Swift’s skill making herself famous.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: I oppose an elected school board.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: A new Bears stadium with a roof! Yes!.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson on companies admitting wrongdoing.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
Tony La Russa, once loved now lamented, has come back to the Chicago White Sox as a personal consultant to owner Jerry Reinsdorf because Reinsdorf believes Tony La Russa knows all that there is to know about Major League Baseball and because Jerry and Tony are dear friends. Some prominent and popular Chicago media sports guys are beating up on Jerry Reinsdorf for bringing his close buddy back. I’m a baseball fan feeling for Tony La Russa and crediting Jerry Reinsdorf for understanding and being loyal to a dear friend.
Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective:
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4154843/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_8-31-23_2023-08-31-185843.64kmono.mp3Walter Jacobson's PerspectiveRecent editionsWalter Jacobson: Jerry Reinsdorf and Tony La Russa.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Good luck convention Chair Minyon ….cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Arwady was too independent for Johnson.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: Newspapers, TV paving a path for ….cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Walter Jacobson: More news in the works about Northwestern.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}Click for more
There is more news being made by the Democratic Party about its 2024 Presidential Convention next summer at the United Center and McCormick Place in Chicago. Good news. The convention will be chaired by Minyon Moore of the South and West Sides of Chicago. Miss Moore is aiming to raise $85 million and working on […]
Anybody who hangs out around Chicago’s City Hall is sure to see dumb things happen. I’ve been hanging out around City Hall for more than 50 years and have just seen what may have been one of the dumbest things ever, which is our rookie mayor, Brandon Johnson, kicking out of City Hall Dr. Allison […]
During this time of a Republican Party search for a 2024 presidential nominee, the newspapers, the network and cable TV are reporting that public opinion polls are showing that Donald Trump is far, far in front of all candidates running for the GOP nomination. Most of the famous media hot-shots are saying that despite the […]
There is nothing that sells newspapers and stirs television ratings like vulgarity and sex. Patrick Fitzgerald, Northwestern’s former football coach, has a contract paying him more than $5 million a year and 8 years still to go. Fitzgerald is being sued by some of his former players who say he knew all about the locker […]
A bias is showing in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to double the money Chicago teachers are paid on days they have off to parent and bond with their newborn babies, a pay raise the Chicago Police will not be getting. It seems, Your Honor, that because you’ve been a teacher, you believe the teachers […]
Walter Jacobson details a money mystery involving David Brown, the former CPD superintendent.
Why is former governor Chris Christie spending his riches campaigning for president? Chris Christie has been helping himself become, and stay, rich. And he’s been helping his buddies in the business world stay rich with him. During Christie’s retirement, his business buddies are paying him back with huge amounts of money to be their lobbyist […]
Finally, now at last, only two more days to go for NASCAR’s dynamite Chicago street race. The science people are saying NASCAR drivers will average only five miles a gallon of gas as they add pollutants to those Canadian wildfires already clouding our skyline. And, just one day after Chicago’s NASCAR street race, Chicago’s July […]
Come late spring or early summer, there is nothing more Chicago than a neighborhood weekend art fair and food fest. The fairs and fests have so much to enjoy and to learn and understand. And I heartily suggest them for everybody of every age. Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
There’s a problem in the grocery business: Shrinkflation – products being sold at the same price as usual but smaller in size. Makers and sellers of all kinds of things have figured out that consumers are not paying attention to smaller packages. Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
NASCAR is on its way to Millennium Park. Good news for NASCAR. Miserable news for us. The inconveniences! No parking, driving, or even pausing anywhere near Millennium Park. Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is crisscrossing the United States and several foreign countries trying to outrun Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination for President. But who is paying for his travel? And why did the Florida legislature just pass a bill making it illegal to disclose the travel records of the state’s elected officials? Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
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It’s hard to feel sorry for Tucker Carlson. He’s been lying for a long time. And his embarrassing comments made it clear he had to go. But what’s next? Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
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The recent settlement requiring Juul Labs to pay $438 million, including $68 million to Illinois, for marketing electronic cigarettes to minors is good news. Even better news is that the number of young people using e-cigarettes is downward bound. Walter Jacobson gives his Perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4114487/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-27-23_2023-04-26-224027.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
More killings with more guns. The news keeps getting worse. Why not do whatever is necessary to prevent the selling of guns and bullets at bargain prices? Wouldn’t that be worth a try? Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4109733/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_4-13-23_2023-04-13-011633.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
With the Chicago mayoral runoff election less than two weeks away, Walter Jacobson says it is refreshing that Willie Wilson is using his considerable influence to support a candidate based not on skin color. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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As Lori Lightfoot’s time as Mayor of Chicago nears its end, Walter reflects on Lightfoot’s record including her tireless (if mostly unsuccessful) battle against crime and violence, achievements in developing minority neighborhoods, and the absence of any evidence that she used the office for personal benefit. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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Private emails from Lori Lightfoot to donors asking for new campaign contributions seem to indicate concern in the final days of the campaign. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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Walter Jacobson thinks President Joe Biden did OK with Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address. It was an address as he planned and rehearsed it to be, a strong and clear Joe Biden, Joe Biden Happy Hour. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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Walter Jacobson is suffering from brain fog, and he doesn’t think he’s alone. No, the problem isn’t that he can’t find his car keys. It’s about answering questions about the Chicago race for mayor. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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Is Mayor Lori Lightfoot running scared? Scared by the damage being done to her campaign by headlines that suggest she is failing at her job. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4083886/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-25-23_2023-01-26-030026.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
There are many stories competing for our attention these days. But one story not getting much of that attention is what’s going on in Afghanistan. There, despite a population that, reports say, is in desperate need of food and health care, the Taliban-controlled government seems more focused on committing atrocities including expanding oppressive policies toward women. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4076796/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_1-5-23_2023-01-05-034536.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
Elon Musk’s management record since purchasing Twitter is causing Walter to reconsider his plans to possibly purchase a Tesla. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4064854/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-22-22_Elon_Musk_s_record_at_Twitter_makes_Walter_less_likely_to_buy_a_Tesla_2022-12-22-050654.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
Ald. Carrie Austin, who has served the far Southside 34th Ward since the 1990s, has been charged with accepting a bribe from a developer. But, at age 73 and in failing health, Austin says she is too ill to stand trial, and Walter agrees with her. Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4062462/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-15-22_2022-12-15-021802.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
Team USA inspired soccer fans with their performance at the World Cup. Can they also inspire some Chicago sports teams? Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
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After a controversial dinner at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump is on the ropes, again. Can he bounce off the ropes, again? Walter Jacobson gives his perspective.
https://serve.castfire.com/audio/4054611/Walter_Jacobson_s_Perspective_12-1-22_2022-12-01-180011.64kmono.mp3More from Walter Jacobson
Is J.B. Pritzker considering a run for President? Should he? Walter Jacobson gives his perspective. Walter Jacobson will return after Thanksgiving, on December 1.
As one election season ends, another moves into high gear. Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces a tough battle as she seeks a second term. Walter gives his perspective.
The proposed Tiger Woods-designed golf course in Jackson Park is backed by a number of politicians including Barack Obama. But critics say the development creates a number of issues. Walter gives his perspective.
Halloween began in Ireland 200 years ago as a celebration of the harvest. Now, it’s a fright. Walter gives his perspective.
If you didn’t watch the debate between candidates for governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey, you didn’t miss anything. Walter gives his perspective.
Mayor Lightfoot says a Bally’s casino will not cause gridlock. Is that realistic? Walter gives his perspective.
The City Council has approved more outdoor music events, including loudspeakers, food and drinks. Walter gives his perspective.
There’s a war of words in City Hall, with vulgarities flying back and forth. It’s time to grow up. Walter gives his perspective.
A Chicago Tribune story reports on Darren Bailey and his family selling private land to the state for millions of dollars. Meanwhile Bailey claims that his opponent, JB Pritzker, wastes taxpayer money. Walter gives his perspective.
Is retirement when you stop living at work and start working at living? Walter gives his perspective.
Airline cancellations and delays are adding up. Why? A pilot shortage? Bad weather? Mismanagement? Walter gives his perspective.
Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson has filed a lawsuit in Federal Court to stop the Chicago Board of Elections from reducing the number of precinct polling places. Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson wonders how the NASCAR race coming to Chicago for the next three years will play out for the city. How will the traffic be? Is it worth the hassle? Walter gives his perspective.
As a 70-year fan of the Chicago Bears, Walter wonders why linebacker Roquan Smith is asking for a trade from the organization if he doesn’t receive a $100M contract. Walter is usually for the player, but not this time. Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson wonders if we really want the 2024 Democratic Presidential Nominating Convention to come to Chicago this year. Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Governor JB Pritzker sure think it’s a great idea. Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson asks why is it so hard to find unbiased news these days. CNN used to be his go-to but not anymore. Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson reflects on the tragedy that happened on July 4th, 2022 in Highland Park. How could someone do such a thing? Why Highland Park? Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson asks how and why airline tickets this summer are so much higher than last year. Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson asks how Mayor Lori Lightfoot is doing as a politician. Is she acting responsible and taking responsibility for her actions? Does she show signs of a true leader? Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson breaks down how the 2022 election for the Governor of Illinois is shaping up. Walter gives his perspective on Republican candidate Darren Bailey and despite being endorsed by Former President Donald Trump, JB Pritzker will remain in the lead.
Walter Jacobson reflects on gun control. Walter raises the question to the media on why the stories heard about gun violence surround mediated instances and not self defense. Are there none? Walter gives his perspective.
There are strange things happening in Illinois politics. Walter Jacobson shares that the current Mayor of Aurora, Richard Irvin, gave away 800,000 dollars of his own campaign money to help support other local republicans running for office. But, why and why now? Walter gives his perspective.
Walter Jacobson shares his perspective on The Chicago Marathon and how the folks of Chicago should give the Chicago Half Marathon a chance.
Members of Congress and state assemblies are not helping pass laws on the manufacturing, sale or access to guns. Instead, they are yapping to get themselves elected and re-elected. This leads Walter Jacobson to believe the deadly misuse of guns are the peoples’ fault.
Ken Griffin continues to drop money into the campaign kitty of GOP gubernatorial candidate and current Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and Walter Jacobson wonders why Irvin, after only 2 press conferences in 5 months, continues to keep quiet on Roe v. Wade.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot doesn’t believe in erasing history, and Walter Jacobson has a better late than never cheer for her while she is in favor of returning the Christopher Columbus monument to Arrigo Park in Chicago.
Hear ye, hear ye! Walter Jacobson believes the Chicago City Council is beginning to understand and is ready to help by providing families with financial and emotional support with a new ordinance aimed at suicides among the city’s first responders.
It’s a good story, the race for Mayor of Chicago, and Walter Jacobson wants to keep an eye on Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson and his efforts to buy votes and his honesty to do so.
The month of April has Walter Jacobson singing a song but weary of potential dangers from the 4,000 electric scooters Mayor Lori Lightfoot is bringing to the city of Chicago.
Former President Donald Trump is looking to cash in on photos taken by a White House staff photographer and Walter Jacobson points out that he is the first president in United States history to do so.
Walter Jacobson thinks the investment of millions into gun and ammunition companies by Citadel LLC is awful. And, all this while Ken Griffin accuses Governor J. B. Pritzker of being soft on crime.
With big shows on TV winding down, Walter Jacobson points out the soon-to-be-seen campaigns for governor of Illinois and the power of television. As Ken Griffin pours money into the campaign for Richard Irvin and J. B. Pritzker deposits more and more for his own campaign, it’s likely half a billion will be spent in […]
Here we go again! Walter Jacobson explains why the Little Village neighborhood is pleading with City Hall to stop diesel truck pollution that is endangering residents in the area.
Walter Jacobson discusses how new acquisitions by the Chicago Bears and the purchase of the Chicago Sun-Times is good for Chicago and it’s suburbs by providing hope.
Walter Jacobson discusses the bad news for pigs. While meat product prices rise, the meat industry has turned to pig depopulation as a result of consumers buying fewer pork products.
Walter Jacobson asks a question as the Windy City enters 2022. Who you would rather speculate on: Lori Lightfoot running again for mayor of Chicago or Donald Trump running for President? Walter gives his perspective.
With hat in hand, Walter Jacobson takes time to express his admiration of Betty White, her incredible 80-year career, and the golden girl’s efforts with the Humane Society of the United States.
Walter Jacobson recounts some of the news stories that didn’t appear on your radar this holiday season and shares some of the more unique ones he encountered during his research.
Walter Jacobson discusses the bone he has to pick with CNN. It’s been touted as the objective and fair cable news network. Walter explains why CNN is unfair to Republicans and why TV is filled with bias plus why Anderson Cooper has reached a new low.
Walter Jacobson with more minutes of daylight means more time to watch the actions and words of Ken Griffin. What does this mean? Why does he keep doing it to boost the Republican candidate? Walter gives his thoughts.
Walter Jacobson calls for more action from the U.S Senate as they just seemingly hold meetings about gun violence but really haven’t done anything to stop it.
Walter Jacobson talks about the Cary Grove Trojans and how the principal tweeted a public apology for their students chanted “Fire Nagy”. Walter breaks down the situation and how Cary Grove handled it.
Walter Jacobson is out of commision for a few weeks with a hip replacement surgery and how he has been reading up in the drama surrounding Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan.
Walter Jacobson talks about how Halloween should be considered a more dangerous holiday where children learn some bad habits.
Walter Jacobson explains why the thousands of dollars politicians are spending on upcoming elections are simply buying votes and what his perspective is on it.
Walter Jacobson examines the numbers former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has earned since he has left Chicago and has most recently become the US Ambassador to Japan.
Walter Jacobson talks about Ken Griffin’s recent comments about possibly moving his employees out of Chicago because of the gun violence. Walter says it’s time to stop with the talking and start doing with actions.
Walter Jacobson talks about the Benet Academy new women’s lacrosse coach and how her job offer was revoked because she was in a same sex marriage.
Walter Jacobson describes how the news from Afghanistan is not getting better and why the Taliban are going back to their ways of beating women and holding machine guns. So where does this act of terror come from? Walter digs in and shares some history.
Walter Jacobson breaks down the latest news of former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel being appointed by President Biden to become the nation’s ambassador to Japan. Is it a good move?
Walter Jacobson gives an example of how politics is a wild business with a look at the political landscape in California could change drastically within the next few weeks.
Walter Jacobson’s Perspective this week is about the groundbreaking of President Obama’s Presidential Center and how there are pros and cons to the Jackson Park neighborhood.
Walter Jacobson’s friend had an experience with an Uber driver and losing her purse. It’s a story you should keep in the back in your mind the next time you step in your rideshare.
Walter Jacobson breaks down the resume of the new Chicago Superintendent of Schools. The new Superintendent knows he’ll need help but where can it come from? One possibility may surprise you!
Walter Jacobson was going to shout out the Olympics in Tokyo and the amazing coverage he has seen… That was until former President Barack Obama announced his birthday plans.
Walter Jacobson talks about the mystery and potential result about the Christopher Columbus statue and why Chicago officials have yet to answer for where the statue is. What should be done with the statue?
Walter Jacobson preaches to listeners to get your vaccine! There’s numerous examples and data that shows it works. With a second wave on the way, Walter has a specific request to President Biden about the vaccine.
Walter Jacobson explains why he feels bad for Lori Lightfoot. From the media, critics, Alderman, and civilians. So with Mayor Lightfoot being constantly criticized, what can she do? He suggests taking a page out of a former Mayor’s book that may help her.
Gun violence is reaching an astounding high. What is a “ghost glock”? Walter goes into the latest trends people are using to make their own guns and purchase more guns and ammunition.
Walter Jacobson is all for the NCAA athletes getting a chunk of money out of the NCAA and here is why he says the Supreme Court made the right decision.
WGN Radio’s Walter Jacobson talks about how a Chicago car crushing company is becoming an unwelcome neighbor to communities due to pollution. What can be done? Walter digs in to weigh the options.
Walter Jacobson previews the upcoming an elected Board Of Education and how the Chicago educators are going to approach the position and possibly take power away from the Mayor when it comes to the teachers union negotiations.
Walter Jacobson breaks down the latest numbers Chicago’s gun violence provided from Memorial Day weekend. Could there be a way to battle the Chicago violence? Walter gives an idea..
Instead of going to the beach in the chilly weather, Walter Jacobson suggests you check out a new exhibit in a museum in Chicago. Walter gives more information and why it should be on your to-do list for this summer!
Walter Jacobson breaks down the latest news involving the sale and future of the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Will the paper be sold? Walter breaks down why the Tribune’s potential new buyer could leave the paper in a terrible state given the buyer’s track record.
Walter Jacobson praises the five high schools who have been standing out in education in the state of Illinois including one school with a 98 percent graduation rate. [audio https://serve.castfire.com/audio/3834926/3834926_2021-05-05-205226.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson takes a break from politics to talk about Chicago sports, specifically the recent news about Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael as he was diagnosed with ALS.
Walter dives into the many directions Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is being pulled towards when it comes to Chicago citizens, Police, Politics and more.
Walter Jacobson breaks down how the facts are being obscured by TV Anchors in the George Floyd case against Derek Chauvin and how some anchors could sway the decision of a juror not listening to the judge’s orders about not watching the trial on the media.
Walter Jacobson analyzes some of the latest numbers that might surprise Chicagoans. How much time have you lost sitting in traffic? How many calls a year are made for… bed bugs? Walter breaks that down and more.
Walter Jacobson has a “feel good story of the year.” It’s a story about a pharmacy and the family that owns it. In the war on drugs this pharmacy and family are giving back to help the victims of Oxycontin.
Normally in Chicago there are lots of discussions about boosting economic development in struggling neighborhoods of color, and while the mayor has budgets to balance and other tasks, the fact she’s been talking and doing. Where are the examples? Walter gives those details.
Walter Jacobson shares why he believe that an elected Board of Education is a bad idea and how it would be less about education and more about politics. Please, no change.
Walter Jacobson shares why TV ads may be the biggest enemy in the fight against the Coronavirus. Even when news stations across the country are telling people to wear a mask.
Walter Jacobson talks about how many gun distributors have taken such a political turn, including here in Illinois. What strategies have gun sellers used to sell their products? Walter explains.
Walter Jacobson shares some background on the Illinois Republican Representative, and how he is trying to “help save the party”. Yet, is he really helping? Walter shares his thoughts.
Walter Jacobson talks about the staggering and “inexcusable” numbers that the city is racking up with the numbers of violence from murders and more. Also with why Mayor Lightfoot has been stalling on the approval of a good project to get the violence under control.
Walter Jacobson talks about the big game this weekend and why advertisers are stashing their money into their pockets instead of appearing on millions of screens across the US, as Americans watch the big game.
Walter Jacobson talks about the “sidebar story” about how Vice President Kamala Harris was to be portrayed by Vogue Magazine. Walter explains the situation. What do you think of the cover and story?
Walter Jacobson is back in the studio and back to discussing the latest in politics. This week on his perspective, loaded and unloaded firearms around the Capitol in Washington D.C and how it’s no problem for congressional assistants can carry firearms in and around the Capitol.
Walter Jacobson talks about the upcoming “brawl” between Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Police Department and why she should watch out when she runs for re-election.
Walter Jacobson talks about how the Tribune and Mike Madigan continue to battle it out.
Walter Jacobson explains why besides the pandemic, divided politics, and protests across the country. However this time it’s the recent passing of Joel Daly.
Walter Jacobson weighs in on all the qualities we need in our new member of the US Senate. Scholarship and judicial experience DO matter but not nearly enough as the politics of a person and the politics of the Senators who will vote on the appointment.
Walter Jacobson’s take a different approach to his perspective this week. This time he breaks down the fish in the Chicago River and the habitats that are being reborn just in time for the summers end.
Walter Jacobson weighs in on the good side of Jussie Smollett’s fake hate crime here in Chicago. Especially how power politicians are endorsing other politicians. Including some examples you’ll have to hear for yourself.
Walter Jacobson talks sports! He gives his thoughts on the Bears and their loyal fans as the Bears enter a new season with no fans in attendance.
Walter Jacobson dives into the trend across the country where mayors in Chicago, Portland and other cities are asking police to stand down when destruction and looting takes place.
Walter Jacobson gives his thoughts on a recent survey on where young Americans are getting their information and how much (or little) they care about the Coronavirus Pandemic and what they are really interested in these days.
Walter Jacobson recounts the ongoing violence here in the city of Chicago and how people are getting their guns into the city.
Walter Jacobson weighs in on federal prosecutors going after Mike Madigan and why they have evidence of how he has taken corruption to a whole new level.
WGN Radio’s Walter Jacobson gives his insight and viewpoint on how Chicago Police Officers treated former Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson 8 months ago and what the media wants out of it.
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective shares his thoughts and statistics about the senseless gun violence continuing in Chicago and where Mayor Lori Lightfoot should look for help.
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective on the ongoing wars between Black Lives Matter and the Chicago Police Department, as well as Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s war against the Police Union.
Walter Jacobson digs into the numbers that were shared last weekend over the recent violence that the City of Chicago faced.
Walter Jacobson gives his insight on the paycheck protection program and how neighborhood banks are taking advantage of people, and how the coronavirus has made the world market a gold mine for thieves.
Walter Jacobson explains why President Trump continues to attack the media during the COVID-19 pandemic and why there is strategy behind it.
Walter Jacobson shares some light on a person who is leading a student strike at the University of Chicago, and how the students want their rates cut 50% during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Walter Jacobson’s Perspective this week is a follow up to last weeks episode about the government bailing out the airline industry in an effort to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Walter Jacobson chimes in about the airlines being bailed out by the government on this episode edition of Walter Jacobson’s Perspective.
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective on how Lovie Smith is keeping his U of I Football players in shape for the upcoming season. How is the former Bears Head Coach handling it? Walter shares those updates.
Walter Jacobson explores why Chicago is called “The Windy City”. Is it the wind of the lake? The politics? Or is it something different?
Walter Jacobson shares his thoughts on why President Trump has been high on himself and his recent actions and why politics just sometimes don’t add up.
Walter Jacobson shares his thoughts of President Trump’s COVID-19 press conferences and why a lot of the media outlets are not objective and several outlets are reporting false information.
Walter Jacobson continues his perspective via the phone. This week Walter talks about Mike Bloomberg
Walter Jacobson shares with you where you can find the biggest turkeys this Thanksgiving and they won’t be on your kitchen table.
Walter Jacobson breaks down the two sides of what they have been doing leading up to President Trump’s Impeachment hearings. How has Walter analyzed the theatrics from watching the hearings on television? The former news anchor breaks down both sides.
Walter Jacobson explains why Chicago’s two biggest newspapers, perhaps gave the biggest voice and impact in the recent Chicago teacher’s strike.
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective into Halloween. So many issues with the holiday from sugary sweets to kids potentially in harm, Walter doesn’t see many positives the holiday has to offer.
Walter Jacobson has a message for President Trump. A question in particular, that may have been swept under the rug and hasn’t been mentioned much since he was elected.
This week Walter Jacobson explains why Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a bigger problem coming up next week. Bigger than the current Chicago Teachers Strike. Will Chicago Alderman giver her the approval she needs?
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective and sympathy towards one Chicago politician who has a lot on their plate and is getting pulled in many different directions.
Walter Jacobson describes how the Clerk of Cook County, Karen Yarbrough, does government the “Chicago-way”. Do you agree with her strategy to get re-elected?
Walter Jacobson describes how former Vice President Joe Biden isn’t doing so well in the polls and some potential strategies he could use to boost those numbers. Do you think any of these strategies make sense?
Walter Jacobson digs deep into the astounding number of big name corporations and why they have deceived their customers. Volkswagen, Facebook, Google, YouTube and others have been forced to pay substantial fines, but have they learned their lesson?
Walter Jacobson previews Mayor Lightfoot's first address on the state of the city. Walter presents dilemmas the mayor will share including city owed bills, the city budget, and the potential increase in taxes. Walter explains...
Walter Jacobson is back after a two week break and dives into the recent polls in which President Trump is sinking in public opinion polls. Walter describes how a recent trip to Europe, showed that Europeans don’t think very fondly of President Trump.
Walter Jacobson gives his opinion on the recent democratic debate and who he thinks stood out in a debate which was watched among 10 million people.
Walter Jacobson breaks down Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s breakdown on parking tickets. Including a study that found the city collecting $200 million dollars in parking tickets alone. Walter gives a personal occasion and what the mayor should do.
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3664589/3664589_2019-07-28-071029.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson gives his perspective of how President Trump is manipulating the media, and focusing on the women he targeted in a series of tweets last week. Walter explains that the more the president tweets, the more the media benefits with their ratings.
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3662656/3662656_2019-07-21-073956.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson gives his praise to the US Women’s Soccer Team and how the teams message continues to grow and spread. Don’t know what their message is? Walter explains…
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3660774/3660774_2019-07-14-043614.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson evaluates the recent reforms Mayor Lori Lightfoot is enforcing on Chicago Politicians and Alderman. Is it too much? Could it lead to bigger issues? Walter gives his take.
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3655197/3655197_2019-07-07-073137.64kmono.mp3
We haven’t had those scooters in the city for a month and Walter wants them gone! It’ll only be a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt right?
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3653447/3653447_2019-06-30-053547.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson says it was only a matter of time before Mayor Lightfoot started a fire. However nobody expected it would be with Chicago Police. Is the mayor going down a path she doesn’t want to go down? Walter explains…
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3651319/3651319_2019-06-23-023019.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson is calling attention to moms and dads to see if they are ready for an entire different school board from Lori Lightfoot. Should these new elected board of education members be well known? Should people also elect city council members?
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3648698/3648698_2019-06-16-014038.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson is impressed with new Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot making a strong impression right from the start. She is walking her talk about violence, city budget, and more. However the question now is, “what to do about all that misery?”
Walter explains…
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3646577/3646577_2019-06-09-015017.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson is puzzled and confused as to why two Chicago immigrants are being arrested by Immigration Police. They have no police records and have been taken away and torn apart by our government. Is there an appropriate way to handle this? Is there a certain way situations like this should be handled?
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3644678/3644678_2019-06-02-085318.64kmono.mp3
Walter Jacobson can’t stop thinking about the “thundering” inauguration speech for new mayor Lori Lightfoot. She made the same promises as previous mayors have, so can she keep it up? Will she truly bring change to the city? Are there signs that Lightfoot could keep her promises?
http://serve.castfire.com/audio/3642771/3642771_2019-05-26-042711.64kmono.mp3