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Chicago Tonight

WTTW News
Democratic National Convention
Kamala Harris
Chicago
Chicago Public Schools
Gun Violence
Barack Obama
Donald Trump
Bally's Riverfront Casino
Tim Walz
Biden's Immigration Policies
Brandon Johnson
Illinois
Israel
Joe Biden
Reproductive Rights
Michelle Obama
Gaza
Chicago Police Department
Affordable Housing
United States

News and public affairs TV series and website covering Chicago politics, education, entertainment, business, science and more.

PublishesDailyEpisodes168Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for Chicago Tonight

Latest Episodes

Cook County residents will get another shot to file property tax appeals. A clean slate and a new beginning — we explain. And the Chicago Park District unveils its budget proposal.

What exactly is a consent decree and how does it work? Plus, what the push for police reform looks like at the neighborhood level.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s $16.6 billion budget proposal faces a major setback. And Dexter Reed’s family is asking a judge to reinstate a lawsuit against the city.

YouTube

Meet Patty Garcia, who’s running for Congress in a political move sparking controversy. And the Trump administration moves to dismantle the Department of Education.

Key Facts

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Patty Garcia
Congressional candidate and political advocate
Episode: Nov. 20, 2025 - Full Show
Freddie Gomez
Pharmacy manager and community mentor
Walgreens
Episode: Nov. 20, 2025 - Full Show
Carrie Stewart
Certified nurse midwife and founder of Melanated Midwives
Melanated Midwives
Episode: Nov. 19, 2025 - Full Show
Chez Smith
Founder of Girls in the Hood, providing reproductive health resources
Girls in the Hood
Episode: Nov. 19, 2025 - Full Show
Blair Imani
Author and commentator on issues of structural racism
Episode: Nov. 19, 2025 - Full Show
Fritz Kage
Cook County Assessor
Cook County Assessor's Office
Episode: Nov. 19, 2025 - Full Show
Major General William Enyart
Retired Major General and former Congressmember
Episode: Nov. 17, 2025 - Full Show
Major General Randy Manor
Retired Major General and former acting Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Episode: Nov. 17, 2025 - Full Show
Lena Brito
Professor of Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Nov. 17, 2025 - Full Show

Hosts

Brandice Friedman
Host, known for her deep engagement with local issues and a focus on highlighting community perspectives. She brings a rich background in journalism and public affairs to her role, often leading discussions on significant political and social events affecting Chicago.
Nick Blumberg
Co-host who offers a nuanced perspective on social and political issues in the region. His journalistic background enhances the quality of discussions, making complex topics accessible and engaging for listeners.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 97 ratings
  • Unavailable

    Half the time I try to listen to this show it says “episode temporarily unavailable.” Somebody isn’t doing their job correctly.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Big D 7382
    United States4 years ago
  • wttw

    local news is great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IanWare23
    United States5 years ago
  • A year later, I have the same issue

    Love the content, but episodes are not available for days sometimes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linda☕️
    United States5 years ago
  • Black voices?

    I’ve been watching Chicago Tonight for probably 30 years. Now it’s called “Chicago Tonight Black Voices.” Whatever.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Spud8great
    United States5 years ago
  • Biased reporting

    Unfortunately this show leans strongly to the left or liberal point a view. If you’re a conservative/moderate this may not be the show for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TimBarry1
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners have expressed frustration with episode availability and technical difficulties, which may hinder their overall enjoyment.
Listeners appreciate the thorough coverage of local issues and the in-depth discussions that include diverse community voices.
The podcast is praised for its insightful analysis, particularly on immigration and social justice topics relevant to Chicago.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#226
Japan/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nov. 20, 2025 - Full Show
Q: How do you respond to folks who say it's sort of a classic machine politics play here?
We didn't stop anyone from gathering their petitions, and anyone could have filed to run at any point.
Nov. 20, 2025 - Full Show
Q: What would your priorities be in that arena should you be elected?
My number one priority is immigration reform and ensuring a pathway to citizenship for long-term residents, especially given the district's demographics.
Nov. 13, 2025 - Full Show
Q: What is the difference between democracy as an objective versus a consequence of the revolution?
Democracy was not a goal of the American Revolution but a consequence that emerged from the struggle for independence and equality.
Nov. 13, 2025 - Full Show
Q: How important was it to begin with that context?
It was critical to show that the American Revolution was not just about taxes and representation, but also about Native American land and dimensions.
Nov. 12, 2025 - Full Show
Q: What does the corporate head tax proposed by Mayor Johnson aim to achieve?
The corporate head tax is intended to raise around $100 million to fund violence prevention and youth employment programs, addressing the city's budget shortfall.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Tonight

What is Chicago Tonight about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides thorough coverage of pressing issues facing Chicago, focusing on topics like immigration policies, local politics, and community challenges. Discussions often center around the effects of government actions on diverse communities, including the implications of recent immigration enforcement measures, educational matters, and healthcare access. Unique to the podcast is its consistent engagement with local voices and leaders, bringing attention to grassroots movements and public sentiment regarding current events. It serves as a critical platform for addressing societal issues while promoting an inclusive dialogue that resonates with Chicago residents.

Listeners can expect insightful analysis from various stakeholders, ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Chicago Tonight?

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How many listeners does Chicago Tonight get?

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What are the audience demographics for Chicago Tonight?

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How many subscribers and views does Chicago Tonight have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Chicago Tonight?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Chicago Tonight:

1. Crain's Daily Gist
2. City Cast Chicago
3. Curious City
4. The Rundown | Chicago News
5. The Block Club Chicago Podcast

How many episodes of Chicago Tonight are there?

Chicago Tonight launched 18 years ago and published 168 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Chicago Tonight?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Chicago Tonight?

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What guests have appeared on Chicago Tonight?

Recent guests on Chicago Tonight include:

1. Patty Garcia
2. Freddie Gomez
3. Carrie Stewart
4. Chez Smith
5. Blair Imani
6. Fritz Kage
7. Major General William Enyart
8. Major General Randy Manor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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