Christopher Armitag

Randy Manner

Rep. Jonathan Jackson

On today's show
– Christopher Armitage, author of The Existentialist Republic newsletter on Substack
– Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of National Security Leaders for America (NSL4A)
– U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL)

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; Christopher Armitage, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://cmarmitage.substack.com/">The Existentialist Republic</a>&nbsp;newsletter on Substack &ndash; Army Maj. Gen. Randy Manner (Ret.), former acting vice chair of the National Guard Bureau, and member of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsl4a.org/">National Security Leaders for America</a>&nbsp;(NSL4A) &ndash; U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://jonathanjackson.house.gov/">Rep. Jonathan Jackson</a>&nbsp;(D-IL)
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 | May 27, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two of the Tribune reporters recently awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting, and will speak at the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest the weekend of September 12-13.

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).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/gregory-royal-pratt/">Gregory Royal Pratt</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/laura-rodriguez-presa/">Laura Rodr&iacute;guez Presa</a>, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two of the Tribune reporters recently awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/staff-chicago-tribune">2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting</a>, and will speak at the 41st annual&nbsp;<a href="https://printersrowlitfest.org/">Printers Row Lit Fest</a> the weekend of September 12-13.
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;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Chicago Tribune reporters  Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa

Joan Esposito is joined by Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Teachers Union president and president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. They discuss upcoming school board election priorities, the role of the board president, and recent legal actions taken by the Chicago Teachers Union.

Here's a summary of the conversation.

School Board Election Priorities
- Gates emphasizes that the school board election must remain focused on hyper-local issues rather than becoming a partisan or high-profile political race.
- Key concerns for parents include student transportation challenges and the availability of school lunches.
- Gates highlights Hilario Domínguez as a candidate with relevant experience as a special education teacher and CPS graduate.

Defamation Lawsuit Against IPI
- CTU has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) and the Liberty Justice Center for defamation.
- Gates alleges that these organizations have engaged in a multi-million-dollar smear campaign intended to brand the union as toxic
.- The lawsuit aims to defend the union's reputation and ensure that truth is accurately represented on the record.

Influence of Money in Elections
- Gates expresses concern regarding the influence of billionaires and large donors in public elections, citing Ken Griffin’s spending $54 million to defeat Illinois' 2020 fair tax ballot initiative
- She argues that excessive spending in political races diverts resources that could otherwise address critical needs like medical debt or food insecurity.
- Regarding the school board race, she notes that while unions often support different candidates, the focus should remain on students and families rather than political maneuvering.

Sustainability of Public Education
- The CTU advocates for sustainable public education models, specifically opposing proposals to cut significant portions of the district budget.
- Gates argues against school closings, which she characterizes as a failed endeavor, and instead promotes building new schools to anchor communities.
- Proposed solutions for revitalization include universal early childhood education and improved transportation services, such as reliable yellow bus systems.
- Gates notes that underfunding is a widespread issue across Illinois, affecting many districts outside of Chicago.

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).

 

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Joan Esposito is joined by <a href="https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/stacy-davis-gates">Stacy Davis Gates</a>, Chicago Teachers Union president and president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. They discuss upcoming school board election priorities, the role of the board president, and recent legal actions taken by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Here's a summary of the conversation.
School Board Election Priorities - Gates emphasizes that the school board election must remain focused on hyper-local issues rather than becoming a partisan or high-profile political race. - Key concerns for parents include student transportation challenges and the availability of school lunches. - Gates highlights Hilario Dom&iacute;nguez as a candidate with relevant experience as a special education teacher and CPS graduate.
Defamation Lawsuit Against IPI - CTU has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) and the Liberty Justice Center for defamation. - Gates alleges that these organizations have engaged in a multi-million-dollar smear campaign intended to brand the union as toxic .- The lawsuit aims to defend the union's reputation and ensure that truth is accurately represented on the record.
Influence of Money in Elections - Gates expresses concern regarding the influence of billionaires and large donors in public elections, citing Ken Griffin&rsquo;s&nbsp;spending $54 million to defeat Illinois' 2020 fair tax ballot initiative -&nbsp;She argues that excessive spending in political races diverts resources that could otherwise address critical needs like medical debt or food insecurity. - Regarding the school board race, she notes that while unions often support different candidates, the focus should remain on students and families rather than political maneuvering.
Sustainability of Public Education - The CTU advocates for sustainable public education models, specifically opposing proposals to cut significant portions of the district budget. - Gates argues against school closings, which she characterizes as a failed endeavor, and instead promotes building new schools to anchor communities. - Proposed solutions for revitalization include universal early childhood education and improved transportation services, such as reliable yellow bus systems. - Gates notes that underfunding is a widespread issue across Illinois, affecting many districts outside of Chicago.
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;
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WCPT 820 Interview: Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates

Chris Fitzsimon

Stacy Davis Gates

Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa

On today's show
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Teachers Union president and president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers
 – Gregory Royal Pratt and Laura Rodríguez Presa, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two of the Tribune reporters recently awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting, and will speak at the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest the weekend of September 12-13

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).

 

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On today's show &ndash; Chris Fitzsimon, host of the <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/podcast/stories-states">Stories from the States podcast</a> &ndash; <a href="https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/stacy-davis-gates">Stacy Davis Gates</a>, Chicago Teachers Union president and president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers &nbsp;&ndash; <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/gregory-royal-pratt/">Gregory Royal Pratt</a> and <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/author/laura-rodriguez-presa/">Laura Rodr&iacute;guez Presa</a>, investigative reporters for the Chicago Tribune; they are two of the Tribune reporters recently awarded, as Staff of the Chicago Tribune, the <a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/staff-chicago-tribune">2026 Pulitzer Prize in Local Reporting</a>, and will speak at the 41st annual <a href="https://printersrowlitfest.org/">Printers Row Lit Fest</a> the weekend of September 12-13
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;
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Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | May 27, 2026

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