Eight Forty-Eight 02.15.12

Eight Forty-Eight 02.15.12

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The city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is introducing a new cultural plan this year, the first since the Harold Washington administration. Department Commissioner Michelle Boone and WBEZ’s arts and culture producer Alison Cuddy explore what Chicagoans are looking for in the new plan. And, a recent report by the Illinois Policy Institute found that 98 percent of the laws passed in Illinois in 2011 contained no “fiscal notes,” which provide basic information about cost. According to Michael Leachman with the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, the Illinois legislature ranks pretty low on fiscal accountability, but some, like Hawaii, are even worse. And former Illinois state representative Kevin Joyce says that fiscal notes were generally used to slow down legislation, not to foster financial transparency or save money. Plus, WBEZ music blogger and Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis takes your questions about all things rock-and-pop-related.