An interview with Joe Ferguson, former IG for the city of Chicago and Founding Executive Director of (re)Chicago. This is the first installment of our new mini-series “Meet You Government."

The Meet your Alderman team is happy to announce the launch of our new mini-series that doesn’t include any Aldermen: Meet Your Government

This series will explore the key systemic faults in Chicago’s local government as they relate to four important areas: police accountability, the budget, community engagement, and city council. Take a listen for more information and keep an eye out for new episodes!

Eric and MYA's newest member Jeff Bittle talk to Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward

Acronyms:
COPA: Civilian Office of Police Accountability
ECPS: Empowering Communities for Public Safety
CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability

Links:
COPA Website: https://www.chicagocopa.org/
COPA Phone Number: 312-746-3609
Ward Website: https://www.carlosrosa.org/
Ward webpage (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/35.html

Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html

Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you may have for future guests!

Sarah and Eric talk to Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward



Links:

Information about the SAFE-T Act: https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/the-2021-safe-t-act-icjia-roles-and-responsibilities

Ward Website: https://www.the15thward.org/

Ward webpage (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/15.html

Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html

Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman)!

Sarah and Eric talk to Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward

Links
11th Ward Website: https://www.ward11.org/
11th Ward page (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/11.html
Chinese American Service League (CASL): https://www.caslservice.org/
Article about the Near South Side CPS School: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/19/near-south-side-cps-high-school-a-step-closer-to-reality-after-cha-agrees-to-lease-former-public-housing-site/

Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html

Sarah and Eric look back on the first season of Meet Your Alderman and discuss what they’ve learned about Chicago politics, making a podcast, and the endurance required to withstand the endless rounds of editing. Plus, they look ahead and speculate what’s in store for Season 2 and beyond—but not before Sarah takes a dig at Chicago deep dish.

Sarah and Eric interview the 25th Ward's Alderman, Byron Sigcho-Lopez


LINKS



25th Ward Website: https://www.25thward.org/



25th Ward Webpage (City of Chicago): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/25.html



Information about “The 78”:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/the-78.html



Information about the new ward maps: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/16/chicagos-controversial-new-ward-map-approved-with-16-black-14-latino-wards/



Layout of the new ward maps: https://app.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/225/26



Information about Mayor Lightfoot’s recent casino pick: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/05/chicago-casino-will-be-ballys-in-river-west-at-former-tribune-publishing-plant-lightfoot-announces/



Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html




ACRONYMS:


CAC: Community Advisory Council

CBA: Community Benefits Agreement

TIF: Tax Increment Financing. A special funding tool used by the City of Chicago to promote improvements in specific sections of the city.



More info here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/tif.html

Sarah and Eric interview Alderman Harry Osterman of the 48th Ward.

48th Ward website: http://48thward.org/

48th Ward webpage (city of Chicago): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/48.html


INFORMATION REGARDING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE CPD:

Information on the ECPS ordinance: https://southsideweekly.com/a-step-toward-community-control-of-the-police/#:~:text=The%20ECPS%20ordinance%20will%20create,year%20terms%20beginning%20in%202023.

And https://www.injusticewatch.org/news/2021/chicago-police-civilian-oversight/



Original CPAC ordinance: https://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/CPAC_ordinance.pdf

GAPA recommendations: https://www.bpichicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GAPA-Report-2018.pdf



ACRONYMS

CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
CPD: Chicago Police Department
CPS: Chicago Public Schools
ECPS: Empowering Communities
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability
ECPS: Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ordinance that passed last summer which was a compromise between the GAPA and CPAC proposals)

An interview with the 40th Ward's Alderman Andre Vasquez
In the episode, we mention Alderman Vasquez's article on scooters - here's the link if you'd like to read more about his plans for green transportation! https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/2/8/22924003/chicago-e-scooter-program-equity-jobs-andre-vasquez-other-views


Interested in learning more? Check out a map of the 40th ward here:
https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/document_4017.pdf


Ward 40's official page: https://40thward.org/


Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html

ACRONYMS

CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
CPS: Chicago Public Schools
CTU: Chicago Teachers Union
ECPS: Empowering Communities FOR Public Safety Ordinance

Sarah and Eric interview Alderman Michael Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward.

Haga clic en el enlace para la entrevista en Español (Link to the Spanish transcript): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1prCnDlY3PhhdeK59Drjjy95Hv4t1OjiMgxVi7YkX220/edit?usp=sharing

Interested in learning more? Check out these sites for more info about the 22nd ward.

22nd Ward website: https://www.22ndward.org/
22nd Ward Page (City Council website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/22.html
Alderman Rodriguez’s website: https://www.mikerodriguez.org/
Alderman Rodriguez’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rodriguezfor22
Enlace Chicago: https://www.enlacechicago.org/
TCEP: https://www.tcepchicago.org/

Phrases and Acronyms:

CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council, a precursor to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Vamos a Cuidar Nuestro Tesoro En Casa: Let’s Keep Our Treasured (Children and Families) at Home
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability
IPO: Independent Political Organization
Promotores de salud: Health promoters, or community health workers
SSA: (School of) Social Service Administration; the former name of the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
TCEP: Telpochcalli Community Education Project (link to their site above)