Joan Esposito (Featured Interviews)

Joan Esposito is joined by Nicole Foy, immigration reporter for ProPublica; she recently authored the investigative article, "We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days." Here are a few highlights from the conversation:- Foy said ProPublica has documented more than 500 U.S. citizens detained, including more than 100 detained amid questions about citizenship or status; most of that group were people of color.- The reporting identified more than 60 people who were filming when arrested and more than 70 children caught up in arrests. - Reported cases raise concerns about Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, use of force, and First Amendment rights to protest and record officers.- Identification documents have not always prevented detention, and some people have struggled to recover documents or phones held by the government.- Foy said body camera use remains uneven, and access to footage is uncertain amid long federal records-request waits. 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/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Willie Wilson, 2027 candidate for Chicago mayor. The interview focused on Wilson’s positions on Chicago taxes, education, economic development, and more. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:- Wilson opposes the proposed head and delivery taxes, arguing that businesses pass costs on to consumers and that added costs can hurt affordability and jobs.- He said tariffs had increased his business costs by $800,000 to $900,000 per month and similarly raise consumer prices.- He advocated suspending gas taxes and described funding repeated gas and food giveaways.- He called for students to demonstrate reading, writing, and trade skills before advancing grades, and criticized school spending amid low attendance and enrollment.- He argued Chicago should retain the Bears, citing their economic contribution and the potential benefits of hosting a Super Bowl.- He presented himself as a pro-business mayoral candidate not beholden to unions or special interests.  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/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Rickey Hendon is joined by Pennie McCoach, president and business agent of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308, which represents rail workers for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).  The discussion focused on improving safety for CTA workers and riders, with dedicated transit police presented as a key solution. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:- McCoach said three transit workers had died in the past 90 days and emphasized that workers and riders need safer conditions.- She said the contract is up in December, but her immediate priority is safety; the mayor’s budget, as she understood it, included no additional transit security.- She reported that 50 sheriff’s deputies had been deployed and fewer than 200 CPD officers were assigned to cover the bus and rail system. She said the unions support a dedicated transit police force and questioned renewing the CPD contract without consulting them.- McCoach cited improvements from the sheriff’s department and said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart was expected to provide recommendations on dedicated transit police in December.  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/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC).  The interview focused on the DLCC's strategy and the stakes of state legislative elections.- Heather described strong Democratic momentum, including 31 seats flipped this cycle, while stressing that most voters have not yet voted and campaigns need continued community-level outreach.- The DLCC’s year-round work includes recruiting candidates, providing campaign tools and fundraising support, and building toward legislative majorities over multiple cycles.- Potential Democratic trifectas in states including Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Pennsylvania could shape policy, redistricting, election administration, and the party’s future candidate bench. 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/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, Carolyn Fiddler is joined by Chris Mann, Democratic candidate for attorney general of Kansas. Mann discussed his priorities as a Democratic candidate and contrasted them with incumbent Kris Kobach’s record. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: - Mann described his background as a police officer, prosecutor, and attorney representing victims of drunk driving. He cited the Kansas Fraternal Order of Police endorsement, the first for a Democrat in at least 25 years.- He said many small law enforcement agencies need more support from the attorney general’s office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation.- He identified rising domestic violence homicides, underfunded shelters, and youth suicide as key concerns, noting that suicide is the leading cause of death for Kansas children ages 10-17.- Mann said consumer fraud losses exceeded $30 million in the first half of the year, including increased losses to government-impersonation scams. He proposed public education, coordination with law enforcement partners, and work with telecom and email providers.- He also called for stronger support for farmers and businesses, and for pursuing federal funds allocated to Kansas.- Mann said his day-one priority would be refocusing the office on public service and community safety. He criticized Kobach’s record on voting restrictions and said Kansas had not received federal funds he believes it is owed. 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/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.