Inside Chicago Government

The glue that holds patronage together; the Jose Conseco story; and Rod Blagojevich: the next Jerry Springer. Length 7.1 minutes.

Why you didn't see or hear in-depth coverage of the Stewardship Report; how civic leaders criticize Mayor Daley; and to what financial disclosure standards we should hold Chicago 2016. Length 9.5 minutes.

Why city officials constantly restate the effects of tax-increment financing; calculating the impact of Block 37 development; and what Reader staff learned from their new owners. Length 7.3 minutes.

Behind the gerrymandering of the 26th Ward; how committeemen used to run the wards; and how zoning committees can protect democracy. Length 8.2 minutes.

Whether all U.S. taxpayers want to pay for Olympics in Chicago; aldermen's mass hysteria in supporting caps on Olympics costs; and how aldermen want it both ways when taking a stand on the Olympics. Length 8.2 minutes.

Mayor Washington's wisdom in creating the Central Loop TIF district; the difference in TIF tactics between Mayors Washington and Daley; and two big payouts to United Airlines. Length 6.3 minutes.

The absurd position of preservationists; the inevitability of a public handout to Olympic Village developers; and how total demolition of Michael Reese Hospital limits development options. Length 7.1 minutes.

North Siders as powerless as South Siders; how the Olympics movement resembles the blizzard of '79; and Olympics planning: an exercise in cynicism? Length 7.5 minutes.

The kinds of deals that the Chicago Park District has with on-premises restaurants; whether Cook County judges weigh clout in their decisions; and how much the mob influences city government. Length 9.2 minutes.

How to get ordinary humans to read about complicated issues; whether citizens should trust the city to spend a billion dollars; and why 14th-Ward residents don't deserve an alderman. Length 7.4 minutes.