On today's show:
– Mina Bloom, investigative reporter for Block Club Chicago
– Aaron Kleinman, head of research at Heartland Signal
– Bill Scher, politics editor of The Washington Monthly; his latest article is “Cocky Iran Hawks Forget the History of Blowback”
– Illinois State Sen. Robert Peters, 2026 candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

On today's show: &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://blockclubchicago.org/author/mina-bloom/">Mina Bloom</a>, investigative reporter for Block Club Chicago &ndash; Aaron Kleinman, head of research at&nbsp;<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/">Heartland Signal</a> &ndash; Bill Scher, politics editor of<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">&nbsp;The Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is &ldquo;<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/03/10/iran-hawks-forget-history/">Cocky Iran Hawks Forget the History of Blowback</a>&rdquo; &ndash; Illinois State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.senatorrobertpeters.com/">Sen. Robert Peters</a>, 2026&nbsp;<a href="https://www.robertpetersforcongress.com/">candidate for Congress</a>&nbsp;in the 2nd District of Illinois
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central), a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. &nbsp;
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

From Heartland Signal and WCPT AM 820 in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

From Heartland Signal and <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT AM 820</a> in Chicago, "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central) is a topical and interactive talk show that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect &mdash; Democrats, of course. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC. &nbsp;Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).&nbsp;

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | March 11, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by U.S.Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL).

Budzinski represents the 13th District of Illinois and is running for re-election. She faces a March 17 primary challenge from Democrat Dylan Blaha. 

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Joan Esposito is joined by U.S. <a href="https://budzinski.house.gov/">Rep. Nikki Budzinski</a>&nbsp;(D-IL).
Budzinski represents the 13th District of Illinois and is <a href="https://nikkiforcongress.com/">running for re-election</a>. She faces a March 17 primary challenge from Democrat Dylan Blaha.&nbsp;
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).

WCPT 820 Candidate Interview: Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL)

Joan Esposito is joined by Donna Miller, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://donnaforcongress.com/">Donna Miller</a><a href="https://donnaforcongress.com/"></a>, candidate for Congress in the 2nd District of Illinois.
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>).

WCPT 820 Candidate Interview: Donna Miller

Joan Esposito is joined by Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on The Mincing Rascals podcast and organizer with Indivisible Chicago and One Community Near South. She talks about next week's Illinois primary, her recent op-ed on ranked choice voting, campaign finance, and her work with Yes You Canvass, Indivisible Chicago's Canvassing School.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).   

Joan Esposito is joined by Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst heard on The Mincing Rascals podcast and organizer with&nbsp;<a href="https://indivisiblechicago.com/">Indivisible Chicago</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://onecommunitysl.com/">One Community Near South</a>. She talks about next week's Illinois primary, her recent op-ed on <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/opinion-illinois-2026-primary-election-crowded-fields/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">ranked choice voting</a>, campaign finance, and her work with <a href="https://www.mobilize.us/indivisiblechicago/event/868781/">Yes You Canvass</a>, Indivisible Chicago's Canvassing School.
Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive">heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive</a>). &nbsp;&nbsp;

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | March 11, 2026

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