Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

A short history of near-West-Side ward remapping; what Ben would have written about Rahm Emanuel before the election; and why Ben wants voters to stop whining. Length 8.1 minutes.

Which takes more effort: informing candidates about outstanding debts, or contesting their eligibility; whether we should let deadbeats and scofflaws run for public office; and whether overdue library books can keep you off the ballot. Length 7.8 minutes.

Who Rahm Emanuel talked out of running for mayor; the relationship between Miguel del Valle and Luis Gutierrez; and how del Valle has responded to Daley administration corruption. Length 10 minutes.

Gery Chico's single greatest success with public schools; how Chicago's elimination of social promotion came back to haunt Chico; and whether the Reader's coverage of mayoral campaigns has changed. Length 8.8 minutes.

How the Chicago Board of Elections originally determined the number of nominating signatures needed; what nominating-signature system Ben favors; and whether Rahm Emanuel has "machine" backing. Length 8.2 minutes.

Tax-increment financing's cloak of invisibility; how developers justify public subsidies; and how a proposed affordable-housing ordinance could rob funding from public schools. Length 8.9 minutes.

How Cook County's property tax system pacifies the public; who or what should carry the cost of government; and which Illinois party has the right idea about taxes. Length 6.1 minutes.

How TIF subsidies attract development investors; whether a neighborhood's regular infrastructure upkeep depends on its inclusion in a TIF district; and a teaser for next week. Length 7.8 minutes.

How local school councils came about; why Mayor Daley eviscerated local school control; and what happens when public schools lack clout. Length 9 minutes.

The effect of polls on voter behavior; how we might finally get good elected officials; and those who find elections too odious or corrupt to vote. Length 8.7 minutes.

How Chicagoans use county government; how formerly obscure county commissioners became visible; and how county reformers helped distract from the real power abusers. Length 9.9 minutes.

How to remedy the over-reliance on property taxes; an intriguing proposal for term limits; and votes as personal statements about the system. Length 8.5 minutes.

Whether Mayor Daley ever appeared in the Gay Pride parade; what will really determine whether Rahm Emanuel can run for mayor; and what the Rahm haters want. Length 8.7 minutes.

How Mike Quigley opened the floodgates to scrutiny of tax-increment financing; how Quigley turned mayoral irritation into electoral success; and Mayor Daley's final gift to Chicago. Length 5.8 minutes.

Dave and Ben discuss their co-written article on the secret "do not hire" classification of layed-off Chicago public school teachers. Length 10.1 minutes.

Why Ben's not afraid of mayoral retribution; which candidate has the most similarity to Daley; and when Ben will write about the Daley legacy. Length 9 minutes.

Why the Chicago Public Schools administration would authorize a contract violation; how charter schools might circumvent anti-patronage protections; and who actually makes decisions to dismiss teachers. Length 8.1 minutes.

Whether the Daley administration's really lied about tax-increment financing; why state Rep. John Fritchey really wants the city to give up TIF reserves; and the limits of cynicism. Length 7.4 minutes.

The effects of crime cameras on policing; whether police officers should beat up bad guys; and respect versus fear of the police. Length 7 minutes.

What fundamental rights private operators of public land can deny the public; appropriate uses of park space versus leased space; and restrictions that a reasonable person might expect. Length 5.6 minutes.