The Fran Spielman Show

Author: Chicago Sun-Times

Join veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman as she interviews Chicagos biggest movers and shakers. Each week, Fran sits down with a local leader, politician or policymaker to get the inside scoop on the latest news in Chicago.
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Language: en

Genres: News, Politics

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Mayor Brandon Johnson
Thursday, 14 May, 2026

Fran Spielman and WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel mark Brandon Johnson's three-year anniversary as Chicago mayor. Mayor Johnson discusses his family milestones and argues his administration has improved its messaging while citing a 60-year low in homicides, reopened public mental health clinics, increased downtown visitors, and stabilizing census trends. Pressed on CPS’s $732 million deficit and potential classroom cuts, he insists the State of Illinois must fully fund schools through progressive revenue such as a digital ad tax or billionaire/millionaire taxes, rejects school closures as repeating past failures.