Furlough days caused a stir recently at the Cook County Board as some commissioners balked at giving up a day of work. The move did not impress Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Meanwhile, aldermanic-adventures at City Hall raised some eyebrows: A few aldermen took trips overseas recently – though not on the taxpayers’ dime. Third parties served as underwriters for the trips, which city ethics guidelines deems appropriate under certain conditions. But by the book or not, were these moves appropriate during tight budget times? And what do they reveal about power at the city and county? Ramsin Canon, political editor at Gaper’s Block, joined Eight Forty-Eight to discuss these issues and more.

Music Button: Tommy Smith, “Karma”, from the CD Karma, (Spartacus)