Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

In an audio interview with an inquisitive Chicago voter, Dave Glowacz explains one way to choose Cook County judges in a general election: by using the bar association recommendations found at voteforjudges.org. This episode is reprised from an October 29, 2016 interview. Length 16.1 minutes. (For the full-length video version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave react to audio from October 2020 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen want more say in approving TIF-funded projects. In the premium version: how minority-owned businesses get city contracts; how a proposed affordable housing ordinance got sidelined; and a proposed end to funding for cops in schools. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 7.8 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave react to audio from the August and September 2020 meetings of the full Chicago City Council, including: whether an emergency resolution attacks the mayor; demands for hearings around the police budget; a start on combatting South Side gentrification; and a surprise TIF sunshine proposal. Length 11 minutes.

In an audio interview with veteran Alderman Anthony Beale of Chicago's 9th Ward, Dave Glowacz explored the Lightfoot administration's relationship with some of the more independent-thinking members of the City Council. Length 4.3 minutes. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.)

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio from the July 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council, including: why council members fear tenant protections; how (and whether) the mayor blindsided an alderman around a landmark district; the city gropes toward a police complaint database; and a lengthy tribute to a mayoral staffer. Length 9.1 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio from the June 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council, including: more votes against the mayor; a reparations commission vote prompts pleas and scolds from black aldermen; cops in schools and out of some wards; and more leaks from a "confidential" mayoral conference. Length 7.4 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio from the May 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council, including: aldermen not "brought in" on TIF funding of parks; grousing about minority contracting at the new Trib Tower development; one aldermen chides colleagues for asking too many questions (a "slippery slope"); a mayoral speech on collegiality; and new aldermen use an old tactic. Length 7.8 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio from the first-ever videoconference meeting of the full Chicago City Council. We hear pushback on a COVID-19 emergency powers ordinance proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot--from Alds. Jason Ervin (28), Ray Lopez (15), Emma Mitts (37), Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25), and Michele Smith (43). Length 6.1 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio clips from the last meeting of Chicago aldermen before the city's "shelter in place" edict. We hear an administration critic choke on an attempted attack; a South Side alderman wins a dramatic TIF concession; and, in the face of a dire pandemic, Dave and Ben embrace the aldermanic routine. Length 7.9 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listen to audio clips from notable moments of the Chicago City Council's February meeting: animal rights activists get a lesson in how and when to protest; the fast-moving approval train puts on the brakes; and aldermen debate whether they should "roll the dice" in settling a police misconduct lawsuit. Length 6 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave discuss the City Council's first 2020 meeting: Mayor Lori Lightfoot rebukes aldermanic concerns about LGBT business support; aldermen's selective concern about divvying up "the pie;" and, after 1.5 hours of honors, aldermen blow through key diktats in seconds. Length 6.6 minutes.

In an interview with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave discuss the City Council's divided approval of Mayor Lori Lightfoot's 2020 budget: Irving Park/Elston TIF district dust-up implies planning dept.'s executive order uncertainty; some aldermen voted against higher property taxes--but voted for big TIF deals that could raise those taxes; the "debate" over ambulance rides paid for by Medicaid; the principled resistance of Alds. Ray Lopez and Anthony Beale; Ald. James Cappelman maybe makes going along sound like legislative savvy; whether corporate clout will forever keep the city from progressive revenue sources; and mayoral retribution against naysaying aldermen: myth vs. reality. Length 9.1 minutes.