Inside Chicago Government

News EN ↓ 376 episodes

In these audio interviews, award-winning journalist Dave Glowacz talks with Chi insiders to reveal the unreported, sort the outrage from the outlier, and suggest that to which Chicagoans should pay closer attention.

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Inside Chicago Government

Episodes

1/15/09: "Taking the Fifth" 15.01.2009 9:20

How slatemaking works; Ben's ideal Congressperson; and why Chicago Congresspersons stay out of Chicago's governmental problems. Length 9.3 minutes.

1/8/09: "Would You Vote for Roland Burris?" 09.01.2009 9:08

What prosecutions the Illinois attorney general could do but doesn't; how Burris might have paid to play; and when ethics trump laws. Length 9.1 minutes.

12/18/08: "Out the Window" 22.12.2008 9:32

Whether city managers monitor TIF agreements; where your TIF-sequestered tax dollars actually go; and why Chicago can't suddenly end TIF districts. Length 9.5 minutes.

12/11/08: "The Right Fight" 10.12.2008 7:01

The evolution of Ben's TIF explanation; why more Chicagoans don't sue to challenge TIFs; and why Gov. Blagojevich's transgressions don't hold a candle to those of Chicago government. Length 7 minutes.

12/4/08: "More Olympic Games" 05.12.2008 8:37

What Barack Obama's appointment of Lawrence Summers says about his fiscal policy; how Chicago's economy resembles that of Russia; and, will Obama control his lieutenants or vice versa? Length 8.6 minutes.

11/27/08: "Hot Seat" 28.11.2008 5:17

The difference between a voting plurality and majority; why a Green might succeed Rahm Emanuel; and how the U.S. Constitution lets someone from Cairo represent Chicago. Length 5.3 minutes.

11/20/08: "The Chickens Outfox the Foxes" 20.11.2008 7:21

How the U of C takes its cue from City Hall; how the Hyde Park referendum fight used "the Chicago way;" and how reactions to the referendum resemble attitudes about Chicago getting the Olympics. Length 7.4 minutes.

11/13/08: "Yes, He Can" 19.11.2008 4:36

The only time a politician has outgrown Mayor Daley; Ben's therapy for power-fixated Chicagoans; and why Obama won't can U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Length 4.6 minutes.

11/6/08: "When the Slush Dries Up" 12.11.2008 8:03

The future of the Reader's print edition; TIF districts as borrowing enablers; and incentives for aldermanic subservience--drying up? Length 8.1 minutes.

10/30/08: "The Back-Door Plan" 02.11.2008 9:55

How zoning protects the citizenry; rezoning vs. variances; and a look at the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Length 9.9 minutes.

10/23/08: "The Mark of Madigan?" 27.10.2008 7:37

Ben's NYC envy; whether term-limited office-holders would've leased Midway; and when people started making careers out of public office. Length 7.6 minutes.

10/16/08: "Easy Money" 18.10.2008 7:51

What makes 99 a magic number; the power (or not) of organized labor in Chicago; and why city workers at Midway whose jobs get privatized might stay employed. Length 7.9 minutes.

10/9/08: "October Surprise" 13.10.2008 10:04

How and why you might become a Constitutional Convention delegate; why you might wanna vote for the Con-Con; and Shakman's legacy. Length 10.1 minutes.

10/2/08: "Get Off the Pot" 03.10.2008 7:29

The firefighter rebellion; dissecting the TIF take; and a great idea for county clerk David Orr. Length 7.5 minutes.

9/25/08: "The Endangered Watchdog" 29.09.2008 8:46

Why Chicago has local school councils; how control of public schools became re-centralized; and your choice: democracy or oligarchy. Length 8.8 minutes.

9/18/08: "Daley Doesn't Need Him" 19.09.2008 6:36

A re-do on Rep. Skip Saviano; the subway station you'll never see; and pole-vaulting under Block 37. Length 6.6 minutes.

9/11/08: "It's Not Illegal to Be Obnoxious" 13.09.2008 9:54

What, exactly, the Chicago Plan Commission approves; Inside Chicago Government's plan for plan commissioners' redemption; and Ben's secret way for residents to present their cases. Length 9.9 minutes.

9/4/08: "Here's a Tip for the Defense: TIFs" 06.09.2008 8:51

Why the governor won't mess with TIFs; why Chicago students can't compete; and how Chicago Public Schools will lose $1.7 billion. Length 8.9 minutes.

8/28/08: "It's the Mayor, Stupid" 04.09.2008 9:04

When off-the-books tax revenues exceed on-the-books revenues; the city's corporate budget as a distraction from its other budgets; and why Ald. Tom Allen bears watching. Length 9.1 minutes.

8/14/08: "An Artificial Battle" 18.08.2008 6:32

The vulnerability of park permit holders; how Ben avoids virtual censorship; and why Ben sleeps well at night. Length 6.5 minutes.

8/7/08: "Three Million Lawsuits Oughta Do It" 08.08.2008 10:06

For residents who might want to take the City of Chicago to court over improperly financed development, Ben and Inside Chicago Government walk thru a list of potentially suit-winning properties. Length 10.1 minutes.

7/31/08: "Endless War" 01.08.2008 7:46

How public schools deprive the public of public space; why the Park District would violate its vendor policy; and how to have healthy debate in your ward. Length 7.8 minutes.

7/24/08: "Magic Beans" 25.07.2008 8:06

How the owners of Michael Reese Hospital snagged a sweet selling spot; the TIF two-fer; and Government Property Purchasing 101. Length 8.1 minutes.

7/10/08: "Seize the Moment" 15.07.2008 7:04

The astounding depth of Olympics opposition; the Olympics as fuel for a real-estate boom; and the Olympic development that'll happen regardless of the Olympics. Length 7.1 minutes.

7/3/08: "The Dead Zone" 11.07.2008 8:56

Chicagoans' immunity from trespassing in the Dead Zone; how Mayor Daley undercut Bensenville residents' clout in the state legislature; and the demise of some of DuPage County's most venerable affordable housing. Length 9 minutes.