Inside Chicago Government

Latest Episodes:

4/11/13: "The lessons of Jane Byrne" Apr 15, 2013

Show notes

Mayor Bilandic's disregard for black voters; a clear contrast in Mayor Emanuel's treatment of black and white constituencies; and citizens' attitudes about government polices based on their distance from the destructive impact. Length 15.8 minutes.

4/4/13: "The crowded classroom approach to fixing schools" Apr 10, 2013

Show notes

How a crowded school with low-income students can perform well; how the administration has transformed its school-closing message; and who closing schools evolved from decades-old segregation. Length 14.1 minutes.

3/28/13: "Before the schools, Mayor Emanuel closed the clinics" Apr 01, 2013

Show notes

Overcrowding at the city's remaining mental health clinics; the worst time to remove mental health services for Chicago's kids; and how aldermen cling to a greater power. Length 15.5 minutes.

3/21/13: "Chicago Public Schools officials offer a lesson in confiscating books" Mar 27, 2013

Show notes

At what age adults should let kids read violently or sexually explicit books; CPS curriculum professionals undermined by CPS administrators; and CPS's previous book purge. Length 16.5 minutes.

3/14/13: "Charities drowning in city water fees" Mar 18, 2013

Show notes

The fact or fiction of quorums in City Council committees; the lack of enlightened debate before the council enacts laws; and the repeated fall of so-called reform candidates for City Council. Length 19.8 minutes.

3/7/13: "Waiting for the day of judgment from Mayor Emanuel" Mar 12, 2013

Show notes

Taking advantage of the opportunity arising from falling enrollment; the city's education response to changing demographics; and how aldermen who talk tough on school closings could really cause problems for the mayor. Length 16.2 minutes.

2/28/13: "Chicago's BFF's a legislator from Waukegan" Mar 05, 2013

Show notes

Why the public should allow taxing bodies to increase their tax take each year; checking Ald. O'Connor's argument about the benefit of tax-increment financing to the board of education budget; and the public school system as an investor in TIF. Length 15.6 minutes.

2/21/13: "Where good legislation goes to die" Feb 27, 2013

Show notes

How aldermen might thwart efforts to bury their legislation in the rules committee; why the powerful, seemingly in opposition, support each other; and aldermen who have reserved their check on mayoral power for Chicago's only elected black mayor. Length 11.3 minutes.

2/14/13: "Good luck finding the documents that explain CPS's longer school day" Feb 18, 2013

Show notes

Why the public should care any more about the issue of a longer school day; administering city government by press release and press conference; and getting information from government more easily than via FOIA requests. Length 13.5 minutes.

1/31/13: "Mayor Emanuel swears he's not interested in running for president" Feb 05, 2013

Show notes

The narrative that Rahm Emanuel perpetuates; the impact of Emanuel's aspirations on how Chicago government operates; and Chicago's brief, four-year experiment with democracy. Length 12 minutes.

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