Stephanie Zimmermann

Bill Scher

Jeffrey Winters

On today's show
– Stephanie Zimmermann, award-winningconsumer investigations reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times
– Bill Scher, politics editor at Washington Monthly; his latest article is "Will It Be a Blue Wave?"
– Jeffrey A. Winters, professor of political science at Northwestern University, and author of "The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy" (2026)

Please note, with our apologies: The show today begins with technical difficulties. 

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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

On today's show &ndash;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stephaniezimmermann.com/">Stephanie Zimmermann</a>, award-winning consumer investigations reporter for the <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/stephanie-zimmermann">Chicago Sun-Times</a> &ndash; <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/author/bill-scher/">Bill Scher</a>, politics editor at <a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/">Washington Monthly</a>; his latest article is "<a href="https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/09/will-it-be-a-blue-wave/">Will It Be a Blue Wave?</a>" &ndash; Jeffrey A. Winters, <a href="https://polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/jeffrey-winters.html">professor of political science at Northwestern University</a>, and author of "<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Blind-Spot/Jeffrey-Winters/9781668221532">The Blind Spot: How Oligarchs Dominate Our Democracy</a>" (2026)
Please note, with our apologies: The show today begins with technical difficulties.&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>).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

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 | September 16, 2026

Chris Fitzsimon

Rick Smith

On today's show
– Chris Fitzsimon, host of the Stories from the States podcast
– Rick Smith, host of "The Rick Smith Show," weekdays from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. Central on WCPT

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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

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; Rick Smith, host of "<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/programs/the-rick-smith-show/">The Rick Smith Show</a>," weekdays from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. Central on WCPT
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;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 18, 2026

Joan Esposito is joined by Autumn Billings, assistant editor at Reason. Billings has written recently about Flock cameras, including the article "The Shaky Evidence That Flock Cameras Reduce Crime Rates." On September 2 Reason published the article "Wisconsin Cops Used Flock Over 100 Times To Track a Navy Veteran After He Lawfully Recorded a Traffic Stop," which was the main subject of the interview. 

The discussion examined alleged retaliatory use of Flock license-plate-reader data against Wisconsin resident Napoleon Jones after he recorded a traffic stop and filed a civil complaint. Here are a few key points:
- Police reportedly queried data on Jones’s white BMW hundreds of times over five to six weeks after his complaint.
- The searches were described as authorized by a supervisor and labeled only “investigation,” with unclear justification.
- Jones amended his lawsuit to include alleged retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights.
- Billings said oversight of Flock use is limited, and vendor safeguards can be undermined when police departments regulate themselves.
- Some communities have canceled Flock contracts, but alternatives such as Axon and Motorola Solutions raise similar data-privacy concerns.

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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by Autumn Billings, assistant editor at&nbsp;<a href="https://reason.com/people/autumn-billings/">Reason</a>. Billings has written recently about Flock cameras, including the article "<a href="https://reason.com/2026/09/18/the-shaky-evidence-that-flock-cameras-reduce-crime-rates/">The Shaky Evidence That Flock Cameras Reduce Crime Rates</a>." On September 2 Reason published the article "<a href="https://reason.com/2026/09/02/wisconsin-cops-used-flock-over-100-times-to-track-a-navy-veteran-after-he-lawfully-recorded-a-traffic-stop/">Wisconsin Cops Used Flock Over 100 Times To Track a Navy Veteran After He Lawfully Recorded a Traffic Stop,</a>" which was the main subject of the interview.&nbsp;
The discussion examined alleged retaliatory use of Flock license-plate-reader data against Wisconsin resident Napoleon Jones after he recorded a traffic stop and filed a civil complaint. Here are a few key points: - Police reportedly queried data on Jones&rsquo;s white BMW hundreds of times over five to six weeks after his complaint. - The searches were described as authorized by a supervisor and labeled only &ldquo;investigation,&rdquo; with unclear justification. - Jones amended his lawsuit to include alleged retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights. - Billings said oversight of Flock use is limited, and vendor safeguards can be undermined when police departments regulate themselves. - Some communities have canceled Flock contracts, but alternatives such as Axon and Motorola Solutions raise similar data-privacy concerns.
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;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

WCPT 820 Interview: Autumn Billings of Reason

Joan Esposito is joined by Thomas Hicks, former chair of the federal Election Assistance Commission; he was fired on July 9 when President Donald Trump dismissed all three serving commissioners. 

The discussion examined Hicks’s dismissal from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, election administration concerns, and ways voters can protect their ballots. Here are a few key points from the conversation:
- Hicks said he was terminated effective immediately on July 9 after 11 years on the commission and more than 30 years in federal service.
- He said he was given no reason and is evaluating whether the termination was unlawful, including possible litigation or reinstatement.
- He described the commission as an independent advisory body that helps states administer elections.
- Hicks opposes sending FBI, ICE, or uniformed troops to polling places absent a specific crime or operational need, citing risks of intimidation and wasted resources.
- He advised voters to submit mail ballots early, use official drop boxes when available, or vote in person if they are uncertain about mail voting.
- Provisional ballots remain available under the Help America Vote Act, but voters should understand and resolve any curing requirements.

Key quote: "It's absolutely illegal to send a law enforcement officer to a polling place unless there is some sort of crime being committed, and the crime of "Well, we think that there are illegal people voting here" is not a crime that they should be sending folks to. It's a waste of taxpayer dollars. It's a waste of resources.  And let me be clear on one thing: In 2020, the National Guard was in polling places because we had a national pandemic and we had a dearth of poll workers who needed to be there to help with the administration of elections. But there was one thing that was perfectly clear: Those folks were out of uniform and they were basically doing what any other American could do, and that is serve as a poll worker to ensure that the the election went off smoothly. And it did go off as smoothly as it could during a national pandemic. But to send troops in is not something that should be done." 

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).

 

Follow us:

Website: https://heartlandsignal.com

WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820

Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal

Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal 

Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal

WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal

Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal

Joan Esposito is joined by Thomas Hicks, former chair of the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eac.gov/">Election Assistance Commission</a>; he was fired on July 9 when President Donald Trump dismissed all three serving commissioners.&nbsp;
The discussion examined Hicks&rsquo;s dismissal from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, election administration concerns, and ways voters can protect their ballots. Here are a few key points from the conversation: - Hicks said he was terminated effective immediately on July 9 after 11 years on the commission and more than 30 years in federal service. - He said he was given no reason and is evaluating whether the termination was unlawful, including possible litigation or reinstatement. - He described the commission as an independent advisory body that helps states administer elections. - Hicks opposes sending FBI, ICE, or uniformed troops to polling places absent a specific crime or operational need, citing risks of intimidation and wasted resources. - He advised voters to submit mail ballots early, use official drop boxes when available, or vote in person if they are uncertain about mail voting. - Provisional ballots remain available under the Help America Vote Act, but voters should understand and resolve any curing requirements.
Key quote: "It's absolutely illegal to send a law enforcement officer to a polling place unless there is some sort of crime being committed, and the crime of "Well, we think that there are illegal people voting here" is not a crime that they should be sending folks to. It's a waste of taxpayer dollars. It's a waste of resources.&nbsp; And let me be clear on one thing: In 2020, the National Guard was in polling places because we had a national pandemic and we had a dearth of poll workers who needed to be there to help with the administration of elections. But there was one thing that was perfectly clear: Those folks were out of uniform and they were basically doing what any other American could do, and that is serve as a poll worker to ensure that the the election went off smoothly. And it did go off as smoothly as it could during a national pandemic. But to send troops in is not something that should be done."&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>).
&nbsp;
Follow us:
Website:<a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/"> https://heartlandsignal.com</a>
WCPT Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820"> https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820</a>
Heartland Signal Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
Tiktok:<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc"> </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal">https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal</a>&nbsp;
Heartland Signal X:<a href="https://x.com/HeartlandSignal"> https://x.com/HeartlandSignal</a>
WCPT 820 X:<a href="https://x.com/WCPT820"> https://x.com/WCPT820</a>
Instagram:<a href="https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal/"> https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal</a>
Threads:<a href="http://threads.com/@heartlandsignal"> threads.com/@heartlandsignal</a>
YouTube:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal"> https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignal</a>

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive | September 16, 2026

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

In 1 playlist(s)

Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips