For more, visit https://heartlandsignal.com/anniversary.

WCPT 20th Anniversary Broadcast at Max and Benny's

On this week's show, Hal and Johnny Million broadcast live from Max & Benny's in Northbrook, Illinois, for WCPT's 20th anniversary. Their guests are:
- Rob Glenn  of Rute Design
- Karen Byrne, co-host of the TruBlu Politics podcast and Stephanie Miller's "Karen from Chicago"
- Natalie Ziemba, member of the Woodstock City Council 
- Jill Wine Banks, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of The Watergate Girl, and host of Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks and co-host of #SistersInLaw
- Joan Esposito, host of WCPT's "Live, Local & Progressive" (weekdays at 2:00 p.m. Central)
- Art & Bobby of WCPT's "Where Are They Now?" (Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Central)
- Michael Garlin, former WCPT host 
- Richard Chew, host of WCPT's "Chew's Views" (weekdays at 6:00 a.m. Central)
- Patti Vasquez, host of WCPT's "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" (weekdays at 5:00 p.m. Central)
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson

Hal Sparks Radio Program WCPT Anniversary Live Broadcast, May 3 2025

On this special broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois, WCPT's Joan Esposito, Patti Vasquez, Scott Duff and Richard Chew were joined by (listed in order of appearance):
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
- Thom Hartmann, host of "The Thom Hartmann Program," weekdays at 11:00 a.m. on WCPT
- State Sen. Laura Fine, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate for the 9th District
- State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, Democratic member of the Illinois House for the 57th District
- Chicago Ald. Scott Waguespack, member of the Chicago City Council representing the 32nd Ward
- Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst, political commentator on "The Mincing Rascals" podcast, fill-in host for WCPT, and a moderator of the Hideout's live conversation series
- Tom Moss of Indivisible Chicago and a moderator of the Hideout's live conversation series
- William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College and regular WCPT fill-in host
- Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
- Kurt Mullett, "Chew's Views" contributor (every Wednesday) and a social media influencer under the name HoosierBlue63
- Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University and co-host (with Brian Endless) of "The World Discord" podcast
- Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago; co-host (with Joel Ostrow) of "The World Discord" podcast; and founder of The Come Together Project
- Mark Pinski, WCPT general manager

The hosts also devoted a segment to remembering the late Dick Kay.
Dan Levy is heard making live announcements throughout the broadcast.

WCPT 20th Anniversary Special Live Broadcast, May 3, 2025

Hal Sparks and Johnny Million are joined by Karen Byrne, co-host of the TruBlu Politics podcast (and Stephanie Miller's "Karen from Chicago"), and Natalie Ziemba, member of the Woodstock City Council, at WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's in Northbrook, Illinois.

Natalie Ziemba and Karen Byrne at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

Hal Sparks and Johnny Million are joined by former WCPT host Michael Garlin and Richard Chew, host of WCPT's "Chew's Views" (weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central), at WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois.

Michael Garlin and Richard Chew at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

At WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois, Hal Sparks and Johnny Million are joined by WCPT's Joan Esposito and Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst, former general counsel of the U.S. Army, author of The Watergate Girl, and host of Just The Facts with Jill Wine-Banks.

Jill Wine-Banks and Joan Esposito at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

Hal Sparks and Johnny Million are joined by Art Andros and Bobby Drell, co-hosts of WCPT's "Where Are They Now," which airs Saturdays from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., right before "The Hal Sparks Radio Program," at WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois.  

Art Andros & Bobby Drell at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

Chicago Mayor and former WCPT host Brandon Johnson joins WCPT's 20th anniversary broadcast from Max and Benny's in Northbrook, Illinois. During the conversation he talks to WCPT's Hal Sparks, Johnny Million, Richard Chew, Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

Thom Hartmann calls in to WCPT's 20th anniversary broadcast and talks to WCPT hosts Scott Duff, Richard Chew, Joan Esposito and Patti Vasquez. Tune in to hear Thom on WCPT weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Central. 

Thom Hartmann joins WCPT's 20th anniversary broadcast

WCPT's Patti Vasquez and Scott Duff are joined by State Sen. Laura Fine, Democratic member of the Illinois Senate for the 9th District, and State Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl, Democratic member of the Illinois House for the 57th district, at WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois. 

Illinois State Sen. Laura Fine and Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

WCPT hosts Richard Chew, Scott Duff, Patti Vasquez and Joan Esposito and long-time listener Dave from Hoffman Estates talk about the late Dick Kay at WCPT's 20th anniversary broadcast at Max and Benny's in Northbrook, Illinois.  

Dick Kay Remembered at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

At WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois, Joan Esposito is joined by Ald. Scott Waguespack, member of the Chicago City Council representing the 32nd Ward; Marj Halperin, Democratic analyst, political commentator on "The Mincing Rascals" podcast, fill-in host for WCPT, and a moderator of the Hideout's live conversation series; and Tom Moss of Indivisible Chicago and a moderator of the Hideout's live conversation series. 

Ald. Waguespack, Marj Haperin and Tom Moss at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

At WCPT's 20th anniversary broadcast, Richard Chew and Scott Duff talk to William Muck, professor of political science at North Central College and regular WCPT fill-in host; Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (the phone interview begins at the 3:42 mark), and Kurt Mullett, "Chew's Views" contributor (every Wednesday) and a social media influencer under the name HoosierBlue63. 

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, William Muck, Kurt Mullett at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

At WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast at Max and Benny's in Northbrook, Illinois, Joan Esposito and Scott Duff are joined by Brian Endless, senior lecturer and director of African Studies and the African Diaspora at Loyola University Chicago and co-host of "The World Discord" podcast, and Joel Ostrow, professor of political science at Benedictine University and co-host of "The World Discord" podcast. 

Joel Ostrow and Brian Endless at WCPT's 20th Anniversary Broadcast

In this final segment of WCPT's 20th anniversary live broadcast from Max and Benny's Restaurant in Northbrook, Illinois, WCPT General Manager Mark Pinski joins Hal Sparks, Patti Vasquez, Richard Chew and Scott Duff, with reflections on 20 years of WCPT and the now-defunct Air America radio network.   

Final Segment of WCPT's 20th Anniversary Live Broadcast

WCPT’s eclectic weekend programming is available here, from “Where Are They Now” and “The Family Meeting” to “The Hal Sparks Show,” “Think Theory Radio,” and "The Sports Cubicle." Find our full Saturday and Sunday schedule at heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule. 

“Chew’s Views,” “Joan Esposito: Live, Local & Progressive,” “Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez,” “The Big Picture with Edwin Eisendrath,” and “Out Chicago” now have their own podcast feeds.  Go to heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/schedule to visit their show pages and subscribe.

WCPT 20th Anniversary Broadcast at Max and Benny's

WCPT 820 Weekend