Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

The justification for staying in school when you don't learn much; student testing as a result of the administration's obsession with metrics; and how candidates decide whether to challenge their opponents' nominating petitions. Length 5.9 minutes.

How citizens can control their government's risky financing schemes; choosing non-finance professionals to monitor government finance; and school-program funding becomes dependent on test scores. Length 5.4 minutes.

What actions Gov. Rauner might take that affect Chicago; how Rauner might grow the number of charter schools; and lax legislative oversight of school financialization schemes. Length 6.3 minutes.

The inconsistent outrage of the reform-minded against Todd Stroger; the Sun-Times Rauner endorsement and McKinney resignation as a low moment in Chicago journalism; and supporting an elected school board while opposing the election of judges. Length 5.6 minutes.

The merits of acting as the mayor's rubber stamp; one of the phoniest budget-saving devices in recent time; and parents who vote for Rahm having delusional issues. Length 5.9 minutes.

How the city decided which part of the school janitor workforce to privatize; the politics of SEIU union locals; and speculating on which city services Mayor Emanuel wouldn't privatize. Length 5.6 minutes.

How CPS's desire to maintain segregation might've kept at least one school open; Chicagoans--and especially preservationists--more reluctant than ever to speak on the record; and the false assumption about young creative types. Length 4.6 minutes.

Demographic shifts on the Southeast Side; what qualifies someone to hold the mayor's office; and "strong mayor" as code for "white mayor". Length 5.2 minutes.

Where and how Alderman Fioretti might run for city council; how much cushion candidates need on nominating petitions; and how Mayor Emanuel has inched to the left. Length 5.5 minutes.

How campaign financing reform allows the grotesque; the absence of free-market advocates from debate over corporate subsidies; and the legitimacy of tax cuts as a campaign issue. Length 17.6 minutes.

The issues about which principals as a group remained silent; when kissing mayoral butt has benefited principals; and what pre-election gifts the mayor might bestow to quell principal rebellion. Length 5.1 minutes.

Whether Chicago schools' resegregation reflects a national trend; using demographic tiers and magnet curricula to achieve school integration; and where integration quotas had success in Chicago. Length 5.2 minutes.

The public finally concedes the surcharge nature of tax-increment financing; diverting TIF slush to pensions or other priority obligations; and how a financial transaction tax might work. Length 4.7 minutes.

Why aldermen voted how they did on the McCormick-area hotel subsidy; why some private property in TIF districts generate no money for taxing bodies; and whether expiring TIF districts create a "back-door" tax. Length 5.6 minutes.

When private interests force TIF recipients to honor job guarantees; the digital manufacturing institute's "ultimate goal" of defense products; and how the institute announcement resembles Chicago's winning of the U.S. Olympics bid. Length 5.5 minutes.

Chicago municipal lobbyists' strategies in the state legislature; holding candidates accountable post-election; and incumbents accusing challengers of betraying ideals that they themselves betray. Length 5.5 minutes.

Compromise with the mayor as an exercise in imagination; "independent" aldermen's familiar excuse for voting with the mayor; and how aldermen game the rules to bury insurgent motions. Length 4.9 minutes.

UNO's multiple face-saving tactics; the level of scrutiny the public has of neighborhood vs. charter schools; and how government funds charter schools in Chicago. Length 5.3 minutes.

Why aldermen representing black wards--and others--voted for an elected school board; how Lincoln Elementary parents engaged in "callocracy"; and how moving special programs out of Lincoln Elementary could solve overcrowding. Length 5.3 minutes.

The wounding of Ald. Pawar; the myth of mayoral retribution; and the best tactic when one's ordinance gets buried. Length 5.1 minutes.