The First Ward

Just like a bad James Bond villain, any variety of vampire, or Keith Richard, the Decisions, Opinions and Analysis Podcast rises from the ashes one

is right here… Today I cover: The surprising reader reaction to letting cursive go The Daily Herald wants more women to run for office? How about endorsing more of ’em! The Longmeadow Loons go down again! It’s time to let it go folks. Speaker Madigan and Governor Rauner sit down to talk budget. Be […]

And it’s right here: Today the Smiling Conservative and I took on the top local news stories of 2016. Enjoy! We’ll be back Thursday at 3 with yet more local news analysis. Until then…

The Smiling Conservative and I want to thank Elgin City Council candidate Brandon Yaniz for coming on the show and telling us a little bit about himself. We look forward to hearing more from Brandon! Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Smiling Conservative and I excoriated Kane County Chairman Lauzen for a stunning level […]

I could ramble on about how much fun the interview with Mike Bailey was, but why listen to me when you can listen to the show! Larry and I will be back on Monday! Until then… Don’t forget! Pick up Mike’s latest book ‘300 Lake Street’ at the Elgin Historical Society or the Bluebox […]

Larry and I want to thank State Rep Election Allen Skillicorn for subbing for the somewhat under-the-weather Larry Jones. We certainly covered a lot of ground and I’m sure the Smiling Conservative will be back on Monday! Until then..

We talked about the overarching effects of a rather contentious and status quo destroying presidential election. Pete called in with some cogent points. And then we encouraged all a y’all to run for office – but be smart about it. Then there was the ignominious scotch exchange as I paid off a bet to Larry […]

Larry and I want to thank Kurt and Brittany Kojzarek for coming in and providing results and insights. Considering the rather strange evening, it was an interesting show. Enjoy!

The Smiling conservative was a bit feisty this morning, but he’s no match for yours truly. We talked about the Cubs, an unshackled Donald Trump, Kane County Chairman Lauzen continuing the downward spiral, should child sexual abuse statute of limitations be removed, should Denny Hastert have to pay more hush money, and the ACLU […]

Here’s the show: The Smiling Conservative and I (and Kurt Kozjarek) covered: Will peace reign between the letter writing County Chairman and the State’s Attorney There is no killer clown epidemic, so stop it! U-46 adopts new board meeting rules become some board members have no intention of governing Treasurer Michael Frerichs gives Wells […]

The Smiling Conservative and I covered it all from Donald Trump, to county elected officials doing battle, to Campton Hills. Larry and I also want to thank Pete and Joel for calling in. Thursday we will continue the conversation. Until then…

Larry and I love it when Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain comes on the show. So without further ado, here it is: The Smiling Conservative will be back on Monday when we’ve got quite a bit to cover. Until then…

And we covered it all from a great YWCA seminar, to tonight’s (9/26) U-46 school board meeting, to unrest on the Elgin City Council. Thursday! With the Smiling Conservative attending to some business, I’m looking to have a special guest or guests. Until then!

As you’ve come to expect, we covered it all today including: The Elgin City Council does its job The South Elgin Drone Wars are over The kerfuffle between the County Chairman and States Attorney And the Sheriff comes up with a great program Monday! We’ll try to get Sheriff Kramer on and we’ll keep […]

Larry and I had an interesting conversation with U-46 School Board member Cody Holt. But rather than comment on it, I’ll the discussion speak for itself! Thursday! We’ve got a lot to discuss not the least of which is the current kerfuffle between the Kane County Chairman and State’s Attorney. Until then…

Sorry for the delay dear listeners, but technical difficulties put a hitch in our uploading giddyup! But we did cover everything including: A rather raucous U-46 Board meeting When a public official should recuse themselves from a vote Will it be wise to house mentally ill DOC inmates at the Elgin Mental Health Center […]

The Smiling Conservative and I didn’t quite get to everything, but we were close enough. Whether it’s the Elgin City Council’s potential land sale to St. Joseph’s Church, or U-46 School Board member Jeanette Ward using a transgender student as a pawn, prepare to be enlightened! Thursday! We’ll talk about tonight’s school board meeting […]

We didn’t quite cover all we intended to today, but is was for a good cause! Elgin City Councilmen John Prigge and Terry Gavin both called in to give their side of the St. Joseph’s Church land deal kerfuffle. But we still managed to discuss Donald Trump and drones (or the lack of them) […]

Sorry for the delay, but, due to errant traffic lights and road closures, it was impossible to get out of Elgin this eveing! But we did cover everything on the show from Donald Trump, to the University of Chicago, to standing for the National Anthem. No show on Monday, but we’ll be back next […]

Larry and I want to thank 66th District State Rep candidates Allen Skillicorn and Nancy Zettler for coming into the Ward & Jones studios for their first debate. And this debate completely disavowed that hackneyed notion that all major party candidates are alike. Nancy’s and Allen’s political perspectives couldn’t be more different. 66th District […]