Earlier this week, WCPT’s Richard Chew was joined by Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who touted recent municipal election wins for Illinois Democrats, the elimination of the state's grocery tax (which takes effect January 1), and the creation of thousands of jobs "by investing in 21st century technologies." But looking back on the first quarter of 2025, Stratton said she "can't sugarcoat" the political challenges the state and the nation are facing. 

"I mean, it has not been the easiest start to the year,” Stratton told WCPT. "In so many ways, we've seen Donald Trump really dragging the American people through what I've been calling a five-alarm fire and looking at, really, how his attacks have been putting a stress test on almost every aspect of our lives. We look at the attacks on our school systems and education, the attacks on our courts, the attacks, certainly, that every American is feeling, on our economy, and attacks on our government." 

Stratton said she is encouraged by people taking to the streets in protests across the country and urged Illinois residents who oppose the Trump administration's actions to stay active and engaged. 

"[J]ust like when I woke up on November 6th, after Election Day, everybody has to ask themselves the question, am I going to just sit back and just kind of check out, or am I going to lean in and get to work? I decided to lean in and get to work, and I'm hearing people all over our state say we're going to do that too," Stratton said.  

As lawmakers prepare to vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget before the legislative session ends May 31st, the lieutenant governor emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility for the state of Illinois, pointing to the six consecutive balanced budgets Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law.

"[I]t becomes more challenging as we're seeing chaos coming out of Washington," Stratton said. "So our goal is to provide that steady leadership to make sure that we can keep taking care of the work of the state of Illinois, and keep caring for the people of our state who need it, and I think that's my top priority right now."

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Amazon and TuneIn. 

Earlier this week, WCPT&rsquo;s Richard Chew was joined by Illinois&nbsp;<a href="https://ltgov.illinois.gov/">Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton</a>, who touted recent municipal election wins for Illinois Democrats, the elimination of the state's grocery tax (which takes effect January 1), and the creation of thousands of jobs "by investing in 21st century technologies." But looking back on the first quarter of 2025, Stratton said she "can't sugarcoat" the political challenges the state and the nation are facing.&nbsp;
"I mean, it has not been the easiest start to the year,&rdquo; Stratton told WCPT. "In so many ways, we've seen Donald Trump really dragging the American people through what I've been calling a five-alarm fire and looking at, really, how his attacks have been putting a stress test on almost every aspect of our lives. We look at the attacks on our school systems and education, the attacks on our courts, the attacks, certainly, that every American is feeling, on our economy, and attacks on our government."&nbsp;
Stratton said she is encouraged by people taking to the streets in protests across the country and urged Illinois residents who oppose the Trump administration's actions to stay active and engaged.&nbsp;
"[J]ust like when I woke up on November 6th, after Election Day, everybody has to ask themselves the question, am I going to just sit back and just kind of check out, or am I going to lean in and get to work? I decided to lean in and get to work, and I'm hearing people all over our state say we're going to do that too," Stratton said.&nbsp;&nbsp;
As lawmakers prepare to vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget before the legislative session ends May 31st, the lieutenant governor emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility for the state of Illinois, pointing to the six consecutive balanced budgets Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law.
"[I]t becomes more challenging as we're seeing chaos coming out of Washington," Stratton said. "So our goal is to provide that steady leadership to make sure that we can keep taking care of the work of the state of Illinois, and keep caring for the people of our state who need it, and I think that's my top priority right now."
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zkWlrghsVpgulp44Wsb53"> Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chews-views-full-episodes/id1772726742">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-chews-views-full-episodes-224677247/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLPJ4U4sG9hqPEyq8TZ6yK5B">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60f89bc3-9570-4cea-86e2-30049d1112f4/chew's-views-full-episodes">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Chews-Views-(Full-Episodes)-p4553840/?topicId=433949466">TuneIn</a>.&nbsp;

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  


Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive."  He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024. 

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard’s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." &nbsp;He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.&nbsp;
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future. Richard&rsquo;s primary goal is to help consumers assess what their needs are and find the right plans and programs to protect their wealth.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;

Chew's Views with Richard Chew (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, “Chew's Views” (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions – but don’t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you’re awake, not just “woke.”  

Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "The Family Meeting" and as a regular contributor to "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.

Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "Truth in a Barrel," "The John Fugelsang Podcast," "Endless Urgency" with Mike Nellis, and "The Politics Bar."

A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.

Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master’s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a “ready to go” item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness.  

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, &ldquo;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chewviews-with-richard-chew/">Chew's Views</a>&rdquo; (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central) is a pragmatic radio show that focuses on moving our political, social, economic, gender and cultural conversation forward and creating a roadmap for progressives to be more involved in their political and social destinies. With "Chew's Views" the emphasis is on positive talk and solutions &ndash; but don&rsquo;t get it twisted; we may bring some smashmouth dialogue to the program just to make sure you&rsquo;re awake, not just &ldquo;woke.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Richard Chew has been a part of the WCPT family since 2017, initially as part of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-family-meeting/">The Family Meeting</a>" and as a regular contributor to "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive/">Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive</a>." He became WCPT's morning host in early 2024.
Richard also regularly shares his views on other podcasts and radio shows, including recent appearances on Amy McGrath's "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWK_o2PSptQ">Truth in a Barrel</a>," "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weekend-interviews-simon-and-julie-richard-chew/id1464094232?i=1000685443232">The John Fugelsang Podcast</a>," "<a href="https://endlessurgency.com/p/pardoning-ghislaine-maxwell-trump">Endless Urgency</a>" with Mike Nellis, and "<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/is/podcast/community-vs-cankles-july-22-2025/id886656768?i=1000718522141">The Politics Bar</a>."
A 25-plus-year wealth management and insurance veteran, Richard is well-versed in all areas of financial planning, wealth management and insurance plans designed to help clients with their financial future.
Richard was born and raised in Chicago and Southwestern Michigan and is a graduate of Pepperdine University; he later pursued a master&rsquo;s degree from Keller Graduate School. He is proud of the fact that he has visited all 50 of the great states of the United States of America and keeps his passport current to make sure traveling the world is always a &ldquo;ready to go&rdquo; item. He and his wife, Anne, love the city and suburbs of Chicago and all their greatness. &nbsp;