Inside Chicago Government

Latest Episodes:

3/19/21: "Ald. Andre Vasquez takes on gerrymandered, back-room ward remapping" Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

In an audio interview, Alderman Andre Vasquez of Chicago's 40th Ward talked about a City Council resolution he co-sponsored that calls for a hearing on how Chicago will redraw ward boundaries. In the standard version, Vasquez defended his resolution from critiques by the council's Latino Caucus. In the premium version: questions about selecting an independent remap commission; how non-whites can represent whites; and avoiding the "back room." Length 5.1 minutes. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

3/11/21: "February City Council: Who CARES about COVID-19 police costs?" Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to audio from February 2021 sessions of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, Ald. Ed Burke (14) blasted Mayor Lori Lightfoot's proposal to apply $281.5 million of federal COVID-19 relief (via the CARES Act) to the police budget. In the premium version: Lightfoot's infamous Feb. 24 expletive; dense parliamentary maneuvers to force adjournment; warnings of federal scrutiny; and council concerns about resuming in-person meetings. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.3 minutes.

2/16/21: "Ward remap flap: Latino Caucus vs. Lightfoot" Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

In this audio piece, members of the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus blast a proposed independent commission for redrawing ward boundaries--prompting a contrarian response by Mayor Lori Lightfoot. In the premium version, hear the entire Jan. 27 Latino Caucus press conference. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 6.1 minutes.

2/9/21: "Crossing Metra on TIF, Council has tiffs on maps and carjacks" Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to audio from several January 2021 sessions of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen voiced frustration with Metra pursuit of tax-increment financing for rail crossings. In the premium version: tension over Chicago's carjacking epidemic; another delay of a South Side community policing outpost; differing meanings of "transparent" redrawing of ward boundaries; and Mayor Lightfoot scolds aldermen on an immigration enforcement measure. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.2 minutes.

1/9/21: "Aldermen abrade mayor, corrade layers of failed raid" Jan 09, 2021

Show notes

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Dave and Ben analyzed audio from a December, 2020 City Council hearing about the botched police raid on the home of Anjanette Young, and from the council's full meeting. In the standard version, aldermen wondered why no staff from the Dept. of Law were present to answer questions. In the premium version: the cost and efficacy of search warrant-based raids; how long police must wait before busting down a door; police supe's frustration with "the Chicago way;" and the mysterious burying of an immigrant-related ordinance. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 6.9 minutes.

12/26/20: "Chicago inspector general: police reform hindered by key departures" Dec 26, 2020

Show notes

In this audio piece, we hear Chicago Inspector General (IG) Joseph Ferguson warn members of the City Council about departures of key officials--and the effect on reform of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). In the standard version, Ferguson explained the big turnover in the position of Deputy IG for Public Safety. In the premium version, Ferguson spoke of the "fiscal consequences" of departures by the other key players in Chicago police reform--and why their exit will stymie transformation of CPD. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 2.8 minutes.

12/16/20: "Chicago 2021 budget vote: mayor players and naysayers" Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave comment on audio from November 2020's approval by the Chicago City Council of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2021 budget ordinances. The standard version features an audio collage of aldermen voicing their support for and objections to the mayor's budget proposals. In the premium version: incongruous votes by some; the annual criticisms don't change, but the critics do; what happens to progressive revenue proposals; and an alderman plays the age card. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 7.5 minutes.

11/17/20: "Paul Vallas on Chicago's 2021 budget--and beyond" Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

In an audio interview with former Chicago budget director Paul Vallas, Dave Glowacz explored ideas for the city of Chicago's 2021 budget. Length 6 minutes. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

10/17/20: "How to vote for Cook County judges" Oct 25, 2020

Show notes

In an audio interview with an inquisitive Chicago voter, Dave Glowacz explains one way to choose Cook County judges in a general election: by using the bar association recommendations found at voteforjudges.org. This episode is reprised from an October 29, 2016 interview. Length 16.1 minutes. (For the full-length video version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

10/24/20: "October City Council: aldermen pump brakes on contracting and TIF" Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave react to audio from October 2020 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen want more say in approving TIF-funded projects. In the premium version: how minority-owned businesses get city contracts; how a proposed affordable housing ordinance got sidelined; and a proposed end to funding for cops in schools. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 7.8 minutes.

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