Andrew Patner (critic-at-large for WFMT and Sun-Times classical music critic) is our distinguished solo guest on today’s show. We talk about the death penalty in Illinois, the mayoral election and the fallout from the Tucson shootings.

But we spend the bulk of our time discussing the baffling changes at the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, which has essentially ceased to exist after its brutal merger with Special Events.

Andrew laments the dismantling of  a highly-renowned Department that produced hundreds of world-class events every year – especially since the reorganization didn’t really save much money.  It’s an interesting, and highly recommended, conversation.