Inside Chicago Government

Latest Episodes:

5/12/11: "Twilight Zoning in the 43rd Ward" May 21, 2011

Show notes

The 43rd-27th ward boundary gerrymandered for racial purity; how the city changes property zoning; and why Mayor Emanuel apparently has immediate control of the City Council. Length 10.5 minutes.

5/5/11: "An Open Letter to Our Next Schools Chief" May 06, 2011

Show notes

Why using tax-increment financing to build new schools works against the school system's interests; whether tax-increment financing affects where and when to build new schools; and imagining an elected school board. Length 8.3 minutes.

4/28/11: "TIF Gifts Just Keep on Giving" May 02, 2011

Show notes

Alternatives to tax-increment financing of well-endowed institutions; whether the city should spend TIF money on both the relocation of Finkl Steel and the redevelopment of its old site; and digging into increased funding of the Garfield Park TIF district. Length 9.3 minutes.

4/14/11: "Stacking the Odds in Favor of Charter Schools" Apr 18, 2011

Show notes

Why charter schools' ability to get rid of troublesome kids invalidates comparisons with non-charters; whether non-charters should have this same ability; and what level of unionization signals the demise of charters in Chicago. Length 8.5 minutes.

4/7/11: "Racial Migration in the Strangest Locations" Apr 11, 2011

Show notes

The different dynamics of black and Hispanic migration into wards; how moderating a candidate debate differs from interviewing candidates; and Ald. Stone's persistent denial of ward gerrymandering. Length 8.4 minutes.

3/31/11: "Ben Joravsky's Guide to the Aldermanic Runoffs" Apr 01, 2011

Show notes

Why Ben moderates aldermanic candidate debates; how ranked-choice voting (RCV) works; and whether Chicago could use RCV in municipal elections. Length 7.9 minutes.

3/17/11: "Getting Along Without Him Now" Mar 18, 2011

Show notes

The difference between magnet, charter, and selective-enrollment schools; how state senator Steans' bill essentially deregulates charter schools; and Rahm Emanuel's crush on New York City's education model. Length 8.8 minutes.

3/10/11: "Rickey Hendon: A Loud Act to Follow" Mar 12, 2011

Show notes

Why people outside the 5th Illinois senate district should care about Rickey Hendon; the argument for office-holders like Hendon staying in office; and who really will decide on Hendon's successor. Length 9.9 minutes.

3/3/11: "From the Alley to the Council" Mar 04, 2011

Show notes

What inspires Chicagoans to want to learn about their government; the mayoral voting habits of white people; and the subconscious guilt of white voters. Length 8.9 minutes.

2/24/11: "Carving Time Approaches" Feb 27, 2011

Show notes

A look into the back rooms where aldermen negotiate the remaps of wards; Mayor Emanuel's participation in ward remapping; and the history of and need for supermajority wards. Length 10 minutes.

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