Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed Ben probed Dave's ongoing investigation into police workforce allocation. In the standard and premium versions, Dave and Ben discussed typical budget tactics used in Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed 2025 budget; the past and future challenges of police workforce data; and the "clots of clout" that could frustrate efforts to deploy police personnel effectively. (For the premium version, which includes audio from quoted sources, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 47.7 minutes.

In an audio excerpt, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi revealed the impact of tax-increment financing on the sinking property assessments of Loop office buildings. Length 4.5 minutes.

Fifteen City Council members called a special April 1 meeting to oust Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez as housing committee chair. In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben analyzed the raucous gathering. (Subscribers can find the full-length version at chigov.com.) Length 52.1 minutes.

In this audio from a public meeting of the Chicago Police Board on Feb 22 2024, a clash took place between the heads of the Chicago Police Dept. and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Length 31.2 minutes.

In this audio piece, Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent Larry Snelling lent support to the controversial Shotspotter system--which Mayor Brandon Johnson has opposed. The top cop's remarks came at a January 13, 2024 public meeting of Chicago's Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability. Length 17.5 minutes.

In this audio piece, a Chicago Police Dept. sergeant revealed unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the 11th District police station on the West Side. Length 9.1 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in November of 2023. In the standard version, council members reacted to 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack's move to censure 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa. In the premium version: One alderman claims, explicitly, what Rosa did to intimidate her; Rosa's act of contrition; controversy around two proposals for referenda to be put before voters in March; and the raucous rules committee meeting. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.3 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed audio from several meetings of the Chicago City Council in September, 2023. In the standard version, Mayor Brandon Johnson and aldermen introduced a measure to use real estate transfer taxes for housing the unhoused. In the premium version: aldermen discussed tax-increment financing to buy a building intended as a migrant shelter; a controversy around Mayor Johnson's pick for city comptroller; and why and how the the Sept. 13 full-council "phantom" meeting took place. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10.3 minutes.

In audio from a June 2, 2023 public meeting, lawyers from the city of Chicago and the American Civil Liberties Union clashed on the pace of police reforms mandated by the 2019 Consent Decree. Length 23.2 minutes.

In this audio piece, a public safety commission member questioned police workforce allocation--a matter also highlighted in a report by Mayor Brandon Johnson's transition team. Length 6.8 minutes.

In this audio piece, members of Chicago’s Use of Force Community Working Group criticized use-of-force training by the Chicago Police Department. Length 8.5 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed audio from 2023's May 24 and May 31 meetings of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen reacted on May 24 to Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed slate of 20 council committees and their associated chairs. In the premium version: finance committee chair Ald. Scott Waguespack's May 24 concession speech; rancor at the May 31 meeting caused by the administration's proposed funding of migrant support; and how members of the public were barred from the May 24 meeting. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.4 minutes.

In an audio interview, former Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson described an effort to formalize the training of new aldermen, and gave insights into why it failed. In the standard version, Ferguson described how the idea of an aldermanic handbook came to him. In the premium version, Ferguson explained how the handbook came together, why it fell apart, and how some of the fundamental challenges of city governance could be addressed by comprehensive, formalized aldermanic training. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 6.5 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated audio from a special March 30 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen spoke against expanding the number of council committees from 19 to 28. In the premium version: aldermen spoke in favor of the new committees and related rules; how claims of independence smack of hypocracy; and whether the council must vote on the new committee structure again. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.2 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben heard and weighed parts of the March 2023 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen passionately debated whether to accept state funding for the city's migrant efforts. In the premium version: the state-funding debate continued, including a suprise parliamentary move; aldermen and Mayor Lightfoot doubled down on parliamentary moves and avoided debate on a controversial labor-union law; and different aldermen's "parting shots"--both favorable and not--at the outgoing mayor. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 11.2 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben heard and appraised parts of 2023's February meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, approval of tax-increment financing for a Lincoln Ave. project bespeaks a lack of transparency. In the premium version: an alderman's blockage of Norfolk Southern Railway's South Side expansion; and multiple dramas erupting from Mayor Lightfoot's move to fast-track a Commonwealth Edison franchise agreement. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 12.1 minutes.

In an audio interview, Dave Glowacz spoke with First Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata about the training of new City Council members. In the standard version, La Spata spoke of plans to have newbies shadow their experienced peers. In the premium version: how the city's "formal" training lacked key info and had outright falsehoods; the disappearing contact info for residents; the crucial skill of lobbying; how to get put on committees; and the "jargon giraffe." (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 6.9 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in December of 2022. In the standard version, aldermen spoke in favor of Red Line Extension (RLE) tax-increment financing (TIF). In the premium version: opposition to the RLE TIF, and what that says about TIF in Chicago generally; an overwhelming--but somewhat puzzling--approval by aldermen of a replacement for one of their peers; an activist alderman scuffled with Mayor Lori Lightfoot over a gun-control ordinance; and another attempt by aldermen to take control of committee chairmanships from the mayor. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 8.5 minutes.

Jonathan Silverstein, a budget analyst fired by the city's Council Office of Financial Analysis, explained his recent report: "The Real Cost of the Chicago Police Department." In the standard version, Silverstein revealed the city of Chicago’s unusual budgeting practice: Many costs attributable to police are left out of CPD’s budget allocation. In the premium version: how other major cities handle their police budgeting; the effect of Chicago's budgeting scheme on taxpayers; the city's persistent, if not mysterious, tendency to under-budget CPD's overtime costs; and why Silverstein's revelations are coming now. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 10.6 minutes.

In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in October and November of 2022. In the standard version, aldermen challenged Mayor Lightfoot's administration about how and whether the proposed 2023 budget resurrects the Dept. of Environment. In the premium version: the education committee's acting chair disputed Lightfoot's attempt to appoint a different chair; and aldermen spoke for and against the mayor's proposed city budget. (For the full-length version, subscribe at chigov.com.) Length 13 minutes.