"The Cliff Kelley Show"
Monday through Friday
3pm - 7pm
Cliff Kelley has distinguished himself as a popular talk show host who brings a wealth of knowledge on local, national and international affairs to WVON's vast listening audience. A native Chicagoan and attorney, Kelley has been in active in Chicago's political arena for more than 30 years, including 16 years in Chicago's City Council. Kelley has been a featured guest on issue-oriented programs on local, national and international television and radio, and is a frequent contributor to Chicago Tonight, which airs on Chicago's public television station, WTTW-Channel 11. He has traveled extensively to the Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Today’s show was yet another information supermarket. To start things off, actor Ben Vereen joined us in a discussion of diabetes and it’s treatment. This is a disease that is very prominent in our community, and deserves attention to help prevent it.
We then got to see how Lisa Madigan continues to do a great work as Illinois’ Attorney General. Today she discussed the seven “mortgage rescue” companies that are being sued on our behalf. These companies are claiming to help homeowners stop foreclosure on their homes, but are taking the money and doing absolutely nothing constructive with it (at least not in its’ victims interest). If you feel you may be a victim of this fraudulent assistance, you have viable options. First, there is the Homeowners Hot line: 866-544-7151; and you can also go to www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov and follow the Mortgage Lending Guide link on the lower, right-hand side of the screen. This site will provide trustworthy resources for homeowners and potential home buyers.
Speaking of terrible monetary transactions, city council passed Mayor Daley’s 2009 budget today. After a two hour debate, the budget passed gracefully with a 49-1 vote. Alderwoman of the 7th Ward, Sandi Jackson, spoke with us about the dismay she has over this budget, but basically expressed that hands were tied because of a lack of information that was given for the source of the budget’s money.
Of course we couldn’t let the show go on without some sort of politics. Karen Button, an Alaskan Political writer, told us of some of the things Sarah Palin are up to, and how she has lost a lot of momentum in her hometown due to some hypocritical actions. There is also a pending ethical lawsuit filed against her that will create more news in the coming weeks. Button also touched on the issue of Senator Ted Stevens’ re-election.
We saved the best set of information for last. Bonny Wright, communication specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Assistance, came with an army of great information. If you were a victim of damages that were caused by severe storms that took place from September 13, 2008 to October 5, 2008 and live within the nine disaster counties, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. As a renter and/or homeowner, you must first register through FEMA by visiting www.fema.govor call 800-621-3362. If you are a small business owner, you can visit one of the temporary assistance centers at Oak Forest Hospital (15900 Cicero Ave) or the Des Plaines Theater (1486 Minor St). You can also call the SBA’s customer service hot line at 800-659-2955. The filing deadline is December 2, 2008. Take full advantage of these resources if you are eligible because you pay the federal taxes that feed into this fund.
If you missed all the excitement today, be sure to tune in to tomorrow’s discussion.
Didn’t get your comment on air today? No worries, leave your comments here. Now is your time to shine!
Today we started the show with FCC Commissioner Deborah Tate telling us about the DTV transition. If you are watching television through an antenna, you will not be able to see your favorite shows after February 2009. Visit www.dtv.gov or call 888-CALL-FCC for more information.
Then we switched gears to Senators Donnie Trotter, James Clayborne, Jr., and Ricky Hendon talking about the vote for the Illinois State Senate President seat which takes place tomorrow. The discussion with these senators was distressing; contrary to a previous discussion on the Cliff Kelley show where senators said they would support the majority vote of the Senator’s Black Caucus, for whatever reason that is no longer the case. This is to the disinterest of the Black community.
TheHill.com columnist, Brent Budowsky, had a discussion with us in the five o’clock hour to talk about the controversial potential appointment of Senator Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. As we know, I feel this is yet another poor choice of President Elect Obama early in his Presidential career.
Meanwhile back at the ranch, Daley is reducing budget layoffs of the city’s workers. A representative of the Local Union 1001, Lou Phillips came to discuss this issue with us. Hopefully we can do more to stop the rising unemployment rates that are plaguing our community.
If you missed all the excitement today, be sure to tune in to tomorrow’s discussion with Lisa Madigan about lawsuits filed against seven companies that are performing mortgage rescue fraud.
Didn’t get your comment on air today? No worries, leave your comments here. Now is your time to shine!
Today’s Cliff Kelley Show featured a lively discuss about national health care and African American women’s health with former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders and legendary health care advocate Byllye Avery, founder of the National Black Women’s Health Project, who joined Cliff in-studio at WVON headquarters. Both were in town for the Chicago Foundation for Women’s awards dinner. Cliff also spoke with Greg Hinz, columnist with Crain’s Chicago Business, about his article criticizing House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s persistent attacks on G-Rod (Govenor Rod Blagojevich). Later Sanja Coleman, executive director of the Council on Legal Education Opportunities (CLEO), talked about the work to get more African Americans in law school. Jane Ramsey of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs talked about the impact of the Jewish vote and AIPAC on the “Road to the White House” segment. Finally, Dr. Rick A. Kittles, PhD, associate professor at the University of Chicago, joined Dominga, owner of Mi Spa DaySpa, to talk about the Sunday, June 8th Men’s Wellness Brunch and the need for African-American men to get their prostate’s checked. Joining the only talk that maters was Lee, Yusef, Jerry, Derrick, Kitty, Randy, Andre and Garland who called our phone lines to chime in on everything from politics to health.
Today’s “Cliff Kelley” show was full of breaking news from the Tony Rezko Trial , who was found guilty on 16 of 24 counts, and the latest from the R. Kelly Pornography Trial with our very own news director Sharon McGee, as well as up-to-the-minute information about the Road to the White House, including a statement by Oprah Winfrey who said she is “doing the Snoopy Dance” about Barack Obama’s historic (presumptive) win of the Democratic Nomination. We also heard that at $50 million in debt Hillary Clinton will announce she will officially withdraw from the presidential campaign this Friday where she will reportedly endorse Obama. Cliff’s guests included Congressman Danny K. Davis, Obama Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, WVON Political Analyst Paul Lesnik and WVON morning show host Roland S. Martin. Discussing Cardinal Francis George’s decision to remove Rev. Michael Pfleger from his St. Sabina parish was legendary Catholic cleric George Clements and St. Sabina Executive Board Member Randall Blakley. And on a lighter note, Cliff walked his listeners down memory lane during WVON’s Salute to Black Music Month when he spoke with Beverly Lee, lead singer, of the Shirelles (”Mama Said,” “Soldier Boy,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,”) who are celebrating their 50th year in music. And of course callers Mark, Lee, Ella, Maurice, Stan, Larry, Verna, Anita, Marchand, Barbara and Don joined the only talk that matters by dialing our hotline at 591-1690. Thanks for listening to the Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON. - Stephanie Gadlin, producer, The Cliff Kelley Show.
