Fran Spielman interviews Chicago lobbyist and first-time candidate John Kelly about his run for mayor. Kelly says Chicago is in decline due to crime, high taxes, failing schools, and poor leadership, arguing residents don’t trust official crime stats and calling for restoring ShotSpotter, hiring 1,000 more police officers, shortening the police academy timeline, and cutting the mayor’s security detail to bolster CTA safety. He discusses firefighter concerns about equipment shortages and a need for more ambulances, suggesting budget reprioritization and possible private sponsorship.

Fran Spielman interviews Congressman and mayoral candidate Mike Quigley, beginning with Cubs and hockey talk before turning to his Lake Michigan suit jump meant to highlight sewage control, shoreline restoration, and invasive-species threats. Quigley explains why he’s running for mayor now, citing fiscal, housing, public safety, and CPS crises, and argues the next mayor must make tough choices without worrying about reelection; he defends running for Congress and mayor concurrently and outlines fundraising and campaign plans.

Fran Spielman interviews political strategist and CNN analyst David Axelrod, who discusses widespread public disillusionment with politics and previews Chicago’s upcoming mayoral race after Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias enters with major funding and front-runner scrutiny.