In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed a a September meeting of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen debated a collective bargaining agreement with the Chicago Police patrolman's union. In the premium version: council members discussed a limit on the distribution of single-use foodware; Ald. Jim Gardiner (45) gave an apology to the full council; Ald. Anthony Beale (9) tussled with Mayor Lightfoot and other council members over speed limit cameras; and, at its August meeting, the Chicago Plan Commission debated low-income housing near O'Hare airport. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10.6 minutes. 

Inside Chicago Government

9/30/21: "September City Council: sins, forks, enforcement"

In an audio piece, housing specialists and others talk about how the creation of low-income housing in Chicago is tied to higher-income apartments--pursuant to a new Illinois incentive for developers. The standard version gives previews of comments made in the premium version by these speakers: Gov. JB Pritzker; state Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-39); Chicago housing consultant John McDermott; author Dr Robert Chaskin; Ohio State Univ. professor Dr Rachel Kleit; and Related Midwest executive Jacque Sandberg. Length 2.5 minutes. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) 

8/29/21: "New Ill. law means more low (and not so low) income housing"

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben digested slices of July 2021 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen traded wildly different takes on the proposed Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. In the premium version: aldermen zealously argued for and against the elected public safety commission; council members considered a rule to streamline approval of public way permits, while retaining aldermanic prerogative; and an illuminating exchange between a city lawyer and aldermen over a lawsuit payout in the case of a shooting by police. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 9.6 minutes. 

8/8/21: "July City Council: recondite fight on police oversight"

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben heard and critiqued parts of the June 2021 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, a parliamentary manuever on a mayoral appointment results in an unexpected, early adjournment. In the premium version: Mayor Lightfoot forces the approval of another appointment; the mayor brings the meeting to a close over fervent aldermanic objections; at a June 25 meeting, a mayoral ally thwarts a mayoral plan that'd weaken aldermen; and aldermen grill the police superintendent at a special July 2 meeting. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 9 minutes. 

7/19/21: "Pre-Independence Day, council not docile"

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated parts of the May 2021 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen tried to delay environmentally challenged affordable housing in the 12th ward. In the premium version: racial equity talk fails to stop a cannabis dispensary expansion; a parliamentary move brakes a Lake Shore Drive renaming, but puts a sponsor into overdrive; and a council character gets cut off. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.5 minutes. 

6/21/21: "May Council jostles housing, delays Drive strive"

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to audio from April 2021 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen wrangled over expansion of a North-Side cannabis dispensary. In the premium version: Mayor Lightfoot cuts off an alderman's mike, channelling Richard J. Daley; wildly differing cost estimates for a police complaint database; reporters who "roll around in the depths of cesspools" of mayoral rumor; and profanity erupts over the renaming of Lake Shore Drive. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.4 minutes. 

5/18/21: "Cannabis and LSD trip up April City Council"

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to audio from the March 2021 session of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, alderman argued over a proposed resolution calling for condemnation of violence in India. In the premium version: debates over a building demolition surcharge pilot in Pilsen and Logan Square; lining up for and against industrial zoning regulations to address environmental concerns; and controversy over a proposed guaranteed income. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.8 minutes. 

4/20/21: "India refuters, industry polluters grip March City Council"

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.) 

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

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. 

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

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. 

2/16/21: "Ward remap flap: Latino Caucus vs. Lightfoot"

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. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

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

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. 

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

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.) 

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

Hear government insiders, activists, and journalists dive deep into the dark corners of Chicago government--driving shadowy deeds into the light. If you want to hear voices--voices that clue you to the backstage actors that affect our city--listen closely, because we're Chi!

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Inside Chicago Government

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