Reporter Mark Konkol blasted Chicago’s 19th ward as “racist” and threatened to punch radio host and Beverly native, Citizen Kelly, this week on the Mancow Show on WLS AM.  Kelly hosts the Citizen Kelly Show, which airs daily on AM 1590 WCGO and 95.9 FM. 

On Tuesday, Konkol began taking potshots at the “racist” history of the 19th ward, offending Kelly. The fight escalated Wednesday when Konkol said he wanted to punch Kelly in the face.

“Konkol is a bully. No wonder Rahm likes him,” Kelly says. “I won’t let Konkol attack my home in the 19th ward. He wants to punch me in the face? I’d like to see him try.” Kelly says he’ll accept Konkol’s challenge to fight only if it is for charity. His charity of choice? Helping to save the Givins Castle in Beverly from demolition.

Konkol is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and narrator for the oft-criticized CNN documentary, “Chicagoland,” starring Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Ironically, Konkol was fired in 2018 from his position as executive editor of the Chicago Reader after he approved racially charged cover art lampooning JB Pritzker. He currently works for the Patch.

Below is a partial transcript from Wednesday’s explosive program: