Inside Chicago Government

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.

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.

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.