Politics 101 with David Orr: A Reform for Illinois Podcast

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg is charged with enforcing ethics rules in the most famously corrupt city in America.

In our newest Politics 101 episode, she discusses her biggest challenges to strong ethics enforcement (it might not be what you think), why her office has done so many more investigations than her predecessors', the city's progress on police reform, and what the Supreme Court's ruling weakening federal corruption laws might mean for Chicago and the state.

She also touches on every Chicagoan's favorite subject - that pesky parking meter deal - and why you should be even angrier about it than you were before.

UPDATED 9/25: Inspector General Witzburg referenced a forthcoming campaign finance report in our podcast episode. On 9/24, OIG released an explainer about Chicago's current campaign finance laws and potential opportunities for reform. That explainer is available here: https://igchicago.org/publications/campaign-finance-rules-explainer/.

47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin Reform for Illinois' Executive Director Alisa Kaplan discuss the municipal public campaign finance ordinance introduced into city council and the importance of this reform on the inaugural episode of the new "Politics 101 with David Orr", now part of the Reform for Illinois family.

David Orr & RFI Executive Director, Alisa Kaplan are joined by journalist and voting rights expert Ari Berman for a timely conversation on threats to democracy and how to combat them.

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky discusses the Federal Budget, Medicaid, and more on the latest episode of Good Government Illinois' podcast, "Politics 101 with David Orr."

Commissioner Samantha Steele discussed issues of ethics and efficiency at the Cook County Board of Review on the latest episode of Good Government Illinois' podcast, "Politics 101 with David Orr."

Mayor Lori Lightfoot & Alisa Kaplan join David to talk about Ald. Ed Burke, ethics reform, city council, and affordable housing.

In a special edition of Good Government Illinois podcast "Politics 101 with David Orr" with League of Women Voters Chicago, David will be in conversation with Jane Ruby, President of LWV Chicago.

In this episode, David and Jane discuss Harold Washington’s legacy, and viewers will get to hear some wonderful anecdotes from David about his friend and colleague.

Alderpersons Michael Rodriguez and Scott Waguespack join David to talk about the city's migrant situation, the push for a tipped worker minimum wage, and an update on affordable housing developments in the 22nd and 32nd wards.

David Orr and featured guest Abe Scarr, Director of Illinois PIRG, discuss the corruption, bad practices, and politics in the Illinois utilities industry, as well as how we got the current system.