Former Illinois State Representative Jeanne Ives joins Ray Stevens to talk about the $2 billion Gotion battery deal, the reveal that they use slave labor, and Gotion's ties to communism. 

Former Illinois State Representative Jeanne Ives joins Ray Stevens to talk about the $2 billion Gotion battery deal, the reveal that they use slave labor, and Gotion's ties to communism.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

When our regular hosts are away, the fill-in hosts will play. Enjoy the content of the pinch hitters from Garry Meier to Ray Stevens to Rob Johnson and more.

PINCH HITTERS

Gotion uses slave labor. What happens to the deal Gov. Pritzker struck with the company?

⚽IF YOU'RE FEELING SPORTY: Check out the Chicago Fire FC home opener at Soldier Field! The first 10,000 fans get a red flag! If you can't make it to the game, you can stream the match on WLS-AM 890, the radio home of the Chicago Fire! For tix and more info: www.chicagofirefc.com
🍽 IF YOU'RE FEELING HANGRY: Check out Rosemont Restaurant Week! It kicks off this Sun, March 1st and features special menus from a variety of restaurants. For more info: https://rosemontrestaurantweek.com/
🥂 IF YOU WANT TO PAW-TY: Check out Pours 4 PAWS on Thursday, March 5 from 5:30–7:30PM.  It's an all-you-can-eat and drink tasting event benefiting PAWS Chicago at the Goddess and the Grocer in Bucktown  (1649 N Damen). This lively midweek fundraiser brings together top beverage distributors, gourmet bites, and Chicago’s animal-loving community for an evening that gives back.  For tix and more info: https://pours4paws.rsvpify.com/

⚽IF YOU'RE FEELING SPORTY: Check out the Chicago Fire FC home opener at Soldier Field! The first 10,000 fans get a red flag! If you can't make it to the game, you can stream the match on WLS-AM 890, the radio home of the Chicago Fire! For tix and more info: <a href="http://www.chicagofirefc.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">www.chicagofirefc.com</a> 🍽 IF YOU'RE FEELING HANGRY: Check out Rosemont Restaurant Week! It kicks off this Sun, March 1st&nbsp;and features special menus from a variety of restaurants. For more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://rosemontrestaurantweek.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">https://rosemontrestaurantweek.com/</a> 🥂 IF YOU WANT TO PAW-TY: Check out Pours 4 PAWS on Thursday, March 5 from 5:30&ndash;7:30PM.&nbsp; It's an all-you-can-eat and drink tasting event benefiting PAWS Chicago at the Goddess and the Grocer in Bucktown &nbsp;(1649 N Damen). This lively midweek fundraiser brings together top beverage distributors, gourmet bites, and Chicago&rsquo;s animal-loving community for an evening that gives back.&nbsp; For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a href="https://pours4paws.rsvpify.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">https://pours4paws.rsvpify.com/</a>

SOCIAL STEPH - 02/26/2026 - Spring is almost here and Chicago is blooming! Here's what happening this weekend!

✈️ IF YOU'RE FEELING THE ITCH TO GET AWAY: Check out the Travel and Adventure Show this weekend in Rosemont. You don't have to go far to plan the perfect adventure with travel expert panels and plan your perfect trip on a budget! For tix and more info: @traveladventureshow
🩰 IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A DATE NIGHT: Check out the Joffrey Ballet's American Icons at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago!  American Icons is a program featuring dynamic works by four trailblazing 20th-century artists. For tix and more info: @joffreyballet
🏀 IF YOU WANT TO CHEER ON THE ILLINI: Check out the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern this Saturday night as the ILLINI men's BB team face off against the UCLA Bruins. Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern has Game Day Specials including $10 nachos, $10 Burger Sliders and $5 Twisted Teas. For more info: @brickhousetavernchi 

✈️ IF YOU'RE FEELING THE ITCH TO GET AWAY: Check out the Travel and Adventure Show this weekend in Rosemont. You don't have to go far to plan the perfect adventure with travel expert panels and plan your perfect trip on a budget! For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@traveladventureshow</a> 🩰&nbsp;IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A DATE NIGHT: Check out the Joffrey Ballet's American Icons at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago!&nbsp; American Icons is a program featuring dynamic works by four trailblazing 20th-century artists. For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@joffreyballet</a> 🏀&nbsp;IF YOU WANT TO CHEER ON THE ILLINI: Check out the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern this Saturday night as the ILLINI men's BB team face off against the UCLA Bruins.&nbsp;Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern has Game Day Specials including $10 nachos,&nbsp;$10 Burger Sliders and&nbsp;$5 Twisted Teas. For more info:&nbsp;<a>@brickhousetavernchi&nbsp;</a>

Social with Steph - 02/19/2026 - Chicago temps are cooling down again, but there are plenty of indoor options for fun this weekend. 

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO SCARE OFF YOUR VALENTINE: Check out the 13th Floor Haunted House LOVE BITES, a Valentine's-themed Haunted House in Schiller Park. It's ONLY open this Valentine's weekend. For tix and more info: @13thfloorchicago


IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SWEET AND SOUR: Check out Roaring Table Brewery in Lake Zurich! They've teamed up with Après Pastry & Bakery for a  limited-time sweet-meets-sour pairing. It's a fruit top beer finished with raspberry purée and vanilla, topped with whipped cream AND a Sticky Chocolate Croissant - a handcrafted pastry from Après Pastry & Bakery.  It's only $14 and ONLY available on Valentine's Day! For more details: @roaringtable


IF YOU WANT TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS: Check out the Orchid Show happening now at Chicago Botanic Garden! Rewind to the ‘60s and ‘70s at the Orchid Show: Feelin’ Groovy where 10,000 vibrant orchids are the hottest thing since bell bottoms. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of cascading orchids light up the room in living color! For tix and more info: @chicagobotanic 


IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Check out the 57th Annual RV & Camping Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this weekend! For the latest RV models, special show pricing, and camping activations, check out the show this weekend ONLY- for tix and more info: @villageofrosemont

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO SCARE OFF YOUR VALENTINE: Check out the 13th Floor Haunted House LOVE BITES, a Valentine's-themed Haunted House in Schiller Park. It's ONLY open this Valentine's weekend. For tix and more info: @13thfloorchicago
 IF YOU WANT SOMETHING SWEET AND SOUR: Check out Roaring Table Brewery in Lake Zurich! They've teamed up with&nbsp;Apr&egrave;s Pastry &amp; Bakery for a&nbsp;&nbsp;limited-time sweet-meets-sour pairing.&nbsp;It's a fruit top beer finished with raspberry pur&eacute;e and vanilla, topped with whipped cream AND a&nbsp;Sticky Chocolate Croissant - a handcrafted pastry from Apr&egrave;s Pastry &amp; Bakery.&nbsp; It's only $14 and ONLY available on Valentine's Day! For more details:&nbsp;<a>@roaringtable</a>
 IF YOU WANT TO STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS: Check out the Orchid Show happening now at Chicago Botanic Garden!&nbsp;Rewind to the &lsquo;60s and &lsquo;70s at the Orchid Show: Feelin&rsquo; Groovy where 10,000 vibrant orchids are the hottest thing since bell bottoms. Floor-to-ceiling sunbeams made of cascading orchids light up the room in living color! For tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@chicagobotanic&nbsp;</a>
 IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Check out the 57th Annual RV &amp; Camping Show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont this weekend! For the latest RV models, special show pricing, and camping activations, check out the show this weekend ONLY- for tix and more info:&nbsp;<a>@villageofrosemont</a>

Gotion uses slave labor. What happens to the deal Gov. Pritzker struck with the company?

PINCH HITTERS

Social links

Recent clips