Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben assessed the September, 2022 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen argued over a proposed rezoning of Chicago Housing Authority land for a soccer facility. In the premium version: zoning committee chair Ald. Tom Tunney maneuvered to further the soccer facility scheme; an aldermanic appointment by Mayor Lori Lightfoot portends a showdown over council autonomy; and a North Side alderman waved a knife while protesting a police misconduct settlement. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.3 minutes.

In an audio interview with Ill. government veteran Kevin Lamm, Dave Glowacz explored a 1980 state constitution amendment that fundamentally changed the state House. In the standard version, Lamm explained the big switch in 1980 from cumulative voting in House districts. In the premium version: Pat Quinn's citizen referendum; a more polarized House of Representatives; Tom Quinn argues for the switch; and ranked choice voting as a successor to cumulative voting. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 7 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben analyzed the July, 2022 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, members of the public remain cut off from aldermen. In the premium version: Ninth Ward Ald. Anthony Beale's speed camera curb goes down; boosted enforcement against illegal drag racing; and the mayor defends her NASCAR race scheme. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 9.3 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben dissected June, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, the ethicality of a non-election aldermanic turnover in the 24th Ward. In the premium version: more legislative twists and turns for Ninth Ward Ald. Anthony Beale's attempt to raise the speed at which Chicago's speed limit cameras are triggered. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated May, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen showed their upset with a ward remap compromise--and with each other. In the premium version: pointed objections to Mayor Lightfoot's casino project; aldermen tussle over the mayor's proposed new curfew rules; and an effort to grill city officials about youth safety comes to a surprising conclusion. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated April and May, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen oppose Mayor Lightfoot's $12.5 million proposal to distribute 100,000 prepaid transit cards and 50,000 prepaid gas-station cards. In the premium version: aldermen speak in favor of the transit and gas giveaway; a convoluted vote on the giveaway; a trance of TIF gifts; 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale push to cut speeding tickets thwarted again; and Ald. Brendan Reilly bets against a temporary casino in the 42nd Ward. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated March, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, excitement and confusion over the council's first-ever use of electronic voting. In the premium version: dismay and righteousness at the mayor's proposed casino super-committee; the special council session to approve a new 11th Ward alderman; and the current drama around the effort to create a council legal staff. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 7.5 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and opined on parts of 2022's February meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen discussed the city's policy around a particular (but not unique) proposed purchase of a former Aldi grocery store in a TIF district on the West Side. In the premium version: aldermen heap honors upon Ill. Secretary of State Jess White and citizen-at-large George Blakemore; the final part (perhaps) in the saga of Mayor Lightfoot's appointment for the head of COPA; and the latest on the proposed ordinance that lets the city seize assets of gang leaders. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.6 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated the Chicago City Council's "unfinished business" in evidence at its meetings that took place in January, 2022. In the standard version, 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale worked, again, at the Jan. 26 full council meeting to establish a legislative parliamentarian and legal staff. In the premium version: the full drama that unfolded on Jan. 26 around Ald. Beale's effort; the fate of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's emergency spending measure; and aldermanic frustration with the mayor's nominee to head the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 9 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben assessed the December 2021 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen clashed over fiscal responsibility versus rewarding bad guys in settlements of police misconduct lawsuits. In the premium version: Mayor Lightfoot responds to criticism by her former chief lawyer; the continuing saga of Ald. Anthony Beale's quest for council legal staff; the mayor's emergency spending ordinance gets felled, then jumps back up; Ald. Anthony Napolitano's final speech before colleagues OK housing against his wishes; the pandemic-caused seating of council members; and Ald. Carrie Austin's medical emergency. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.9 minutes.

In an audio interview, Ald. Anthony Beale of the Ninth Ward spoke of a proposed ordinance that would let Chicago's City Council hire its own legal department. In the standard version, Beale described the legal staff's proposed roles. In the premium version: the key role of council parliamentarian; why council members have stymied a vote; and Beale's "fiery exchange" with Mayor Lightfoot. Length 2.5 minutes. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated November 2021 meetings of Chicago's City Council, the mayor, and Police Board. In the standard version, a controversy erupted over a mayoral appointment for the permanent head of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. In the premium version: Mayor Lightfoot's emotional reaction to Ald. Walter Burnett (27); a proposed lawsuit settlement could affect how the police dept. allocates cops citywide; aldermen clash over the decennial redrawing of ward boundaries; and another top manager leaves the Office of Inspector General. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.1 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben assessed October meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, outgoing Inspector General Joe Ferguson warned council members about things to come. In the premium version: a mayoral proposal for people to opt out of the Chicago Police "gang database"; the council prolongs a TIF district near Lincoln Yards; Ald. Anthony Beale (9) tries--and fails--again to move stalled ordinances; Ald. Ray Lopez (15) emulates Ald. Brendan Reilly (42) in a parliamentary manuever; and police union Pres. John Catanzara pressures aldermen around a vaccine-related power shift. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 9.5 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed 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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.