In an audio interview with Alderman Anthony Beale of Chicago's Ninth Ward, Dave Glowacz explored the Lightfoot administration's relationship with some of the more independent-thinking members of the City Council.
City Council
July City Council: landlords, landmarks, copwatch, and tribute
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Dave and Ben give their persepectives on audio from the July 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council.
Aldermen trace race space in June council meeting
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave listened to audio from the June 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council—and part of a "confidential" conference between the mayor and alderman.
Slippery slopes and mayoral strokes mark May City Council
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave comment on aldermanic and mayoral ripostes at the May 2020 meeting of the full Chicago City Council.
Council approves TIF for INVEST South/West, some aldermen balk
The Chicago City Council approved tax-increment financing for Mayor Lori Lightfoot's INVEST South/West initiative, but aldermen in affected wards aren't on board.
Lightfoot's council power push: beggars, blank checks, and speed bumps
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Dave and Ben listen to the first-ever videoconference meeting of the full Chicago City Council—and a half-dozen aldermen who resisted an emergency powers ordinance proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Fire of aldermen's ire distracts from dire times
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Dave and Ben listen to aldermanic harangues at the Chicago City Council's last public hearing before the city's "shelter in place" edict.
Lightfoot hops hurdles in South/West leap for cash
Funding for Mayor Lori Lightfoot's INVEST South/West project moved to full City Council approval, but with aldermanic hurdles along the way.
February City Council debate: how to lose a winner
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Dave and Ben listened to audio clips from the Chicago City Council's February, 2020 meeting—including a rich aldermanic debate on a city lawsuit settlement.
City Council wrap-up: Lightfoot scold, aldermen fold
In an interview by Ben Joravsky with Dave Glowacz on the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky Show, Ben and Dave discussed the City Council's dramatic Jan. 2020 debate of a resolution regarding businesses having LGBT owners—and other council actions.
Newbie alderman: Secrets learned by—and kept from—City Council freshmen
In an audio interview with freshman Alderman Daniel La Spata of Chicago's 1st Ward, Dave Glowacz explores how new City Council members get the training and orientation needed to do their jobs.
Which city depts. deferred to aldermen, and how they stopped
A report from the Chicago mayor's office details the ways in which city departments defer to "aldermanic prerogative".
Recently-changed Lincoln Yards ordinances released at the last minute
The city of Chicago has finally released the documents that would, with a City Council OK, make the Lincoln Yards development a legal reality.
Zoning Committee 3/7/19 approval of Lincoln Yards: complete audio
Complete audio: The Chicago City Council Committee on Zoning's approval of the planned-development ordinances for the Lincoln Yards complex.
Facing Plan Commission, Ald. Hopkins tweets defense of Lincoln Yards rush
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) has used Twitter to respond to residents' and journalists' perceived fast-tracking of approval by the Chicago Plan Commission.
2015 council: rugged spines vs. rubber stamps
Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on the three elected aldermen most likely to resist the dark side, and more.
Council rules favor mayor
Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on how aldermen game the rules to bury insurgent motions, and more.
Aldermanic voting shows Rahm in control
Does Mayor Emanuel have the city council in lockstep, even more than his predecessor? Absolutely, says a report by the political science department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Where good legislation goes to die
Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on how aldermen might thwart efforts to bury their legislation in the rules committee, and more.
Say It Ain't So, Joe
Interview with the Chicago Reader's Ben Joravsky on why the mayor controls who chairs city council committees, and more.