As the field of candidates to replace Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate, we've put together the manual on what it will take to win that seat. In this episode, Lissa & Thom welcome back professor Robin Johnson of Monmouth College. Robin is the first call anyone should make if you want to really understand voters in the midwest -- especially downstate Illinois. This discussion hits on Illinois' national perspective, the source of the widening political divide, the changing nature of political engagement among younger voters, and much more. Welcome to our 300-level course: How To Be Illinois' Next Senator.
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40:42
George Ryan - In His Words
George Ryan's legacy is built largely on being the Illinois Governor who halted prison executions. The son of a pharmacist, Ryan grew up in Kankakee County where he launched one of the most storied and complicated political careers in Illinois history In this episode, Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin revisit a conversation we had with Illinois’ 39th governor on May 2nd 2021. Mr. Ryan died May 2, 2025, at age 91. You'll hear Lissa & Thom's personal reflections on former Governor Ryan. Plus, Mr. Ryan shares what drove him to write the book Until I Could Be Sure: How I Stopped the Death Penalty in Illinois.
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27:17
Illinois' Pension Crisis
This is a tale of two governing bodies. In this episode, we go to grad school on the stark differences between Illinois' municipal and state pensions. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin are in our chat room with Naperville's city manager, Doug Krieger and Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference. Both leaders have been instrumental in stabilizing city pensions across the state, but reforms in Springfield may threaten that stability. We'll get into a conversation about why Illinois's pension system is far more attractive than those of neighboring states. Plus, you'll hear what's driving moves to fix what isn't broken.
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26:39
José Sánchez - Building A Healthcare Safety Net
Funding for healthcare has reached an unprecedented crossroad. But the path of Humboldt Park Health is secured through the tenacious leadership of its president, José R. Sánchez. He tells the Crisis Cast, "I wake up thinking I'm going to conquer the world." In this episode, Lissa Druss talks with Mr. Sánchez about the critical role of safety net hospitals in underserved communities. Sánchez shares just how vulnerable community hospitals are, and how his team transformed Humboldt Park Healthcare through key initiatives and fundraising. You'll learn why he's seen a drop in the stigmas around mental health, and how he has navigated the politics of healthcare. This week's Crisis Cast heroes are Michelle & Melissa Gomez, creators of Tu Casa.
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27:10
Kam Buckner - Fighting for Chicago's reputation
How is it that Chicago still lacks a city charter? We're chasing the answer to that question this week with Kam Buckner who represents the 26th District in the Illinois General Assembly. Rep. Buckner insists the city's lack of a constitution keeps us from any effective governance. In this episode, Lissa & Thom get to the heart of how Rep. Buckner's long and illustrious resume led him to Springfield. We'll hear how he's drafting a values document for city, and why he's been able to attract support from the left, the right, and the middle in the process. Kam shares lessons of wisdom from his father, a Chicago Police officer in the 1980s. It's our exclusive preview of the book he's writing on leadership — with his father's priceless quotes at the center of it. This week's Crisis Cast hero: Unblocked Englewood's Tonika Johnson.
The Crisis Cast is a conversational journey in business leadership during a crisis. Our cast of experts review crisis management scenarios and provide resources for navigating uncharted waters.
Each episode is moderated by renowned crisis communicators Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin.
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