Power Plays and Community Stays

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Glenn Eden and Suzet McKinney lead a roundtable with Sufyan Sohel, Claude Robinson, and Jeffery Beckham to examine the three finalists competing to lead Chicago Public Schools and assess the winners and losers from last week's primary elections. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot joins the program to discuss the launch of the ICE Accountability Project and her assessment of ongoing federal challenges to democratic institutions.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Dr. Suzet McKinney and Maria Doughty are joined by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch to examine key priorities heading into the upcoming legislative session, while Executive Strategist Victor LaGroon applies a local lens to national security issues and Chicago Board of Election Commissioners' Max Bever addresses widespread election misinformation. Micah Krohn and Darcie Price-Wallace also appear to discuss the role of meditation in community healing.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, hosts Darrious Hilmon and Monica Rubio lead a roundtable with Sufyan Sohel and Claude Robinson to examine deteriorating relations between competing political candidates and Indiana's aggressive push to relocate the Chicago Bears. Monica Scott speaks to Bally's Chicago's commitment to corporate citizenship, while Lakisha McFadden highlights the ongoing work of the Centers for New Horizons in serving South Side residents. Chief Education Correspondent Adrian Segura also returns with a new installment of the Education First Report.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Jeffrey Beckham and Tamara Dervin lead a roundtable discussion on journalist arrests and the crowded race for Chuy Garcia's Congressional seat, joined by Sufyan Sohel, Claude Robinson, and Kai El'Zabar. SomerCor President and CEO Manny Flores explores small business development opportunities in Chicago, while Max Bever delivers election updates and Husani Olujimi shares uplifting community news.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Dee Atkins and Jeffery Beckham join roundtable regulars Claude Robinson, Sufyan Sohel, and Swathi Staley to examine major issues facing Chicago. The episode features a one-on-one conversation with Center for Better Aging Executive Director Estrelitta Harmon on aging in the city, and Chief Joy Correspondent Hasani Olujimi shares uplifting community news.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Glenn Eden and Karen Freeman Wilson examine the latest killing of a U.S. citizen by ICE agents, the CPS Board Chair's efforts to address press leaks, and the implications of the newly approved 2026 city budget. The roundtable also covers mayoral candidate Joe Holberg's vision for Chicago, state and county efforts to protect voter rights, and expanding kidney donation access in Black and Brown communities.

In this episode of Chicago Newsroom 2.0, guest co-hosts Dr. Suzet McKinney and Mark Ishaug break down the high-stakes debate surrounding Chicago’s 2026 budget, including the CPS property tax controversy and the fight for control of the City Council’s Zoning Committee. The conversation includes an in-depth interview with Aldermen Nicole Lee and Pat Dowell, key architects of the proposed budget, along with discussions on supporting first-generation college students and the Pullman Foundation’s transformative $10 million investment.