Mariah Woelfel covers city government at WBEZ. Before joining the City Hall beat in 2021, Mariah worked as a general assignment reporter and producer at the station, where she covered the creation of and start to Illinois’ multimillion dollar recreational cannabis industry, as well as the city and state’s healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to WBEZ, Mariah worked as a reporter, producer and All Things Considered host at WVIK, an NPR member station in western Illinois.
She grew up in Chicago and currently lives on the city’s West Side with her dog, Lola.
Mariah Woelfel
Stories by Mariah Woelfel
A Marine veteran who burned an American flag at City Hall speaks out after a Chicago alderperson takes heat for it
Zachary Kam, who served in Afghanistan, burned the flag to protest the killing of at least 32,300 Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza and says the DNC should be canceled.
Bring Chicago Home referendum fails after vote-by-mail ballots counted
The Associated Press called it for opponents, as voters reject an effort to authorize a tax increase on the sale of high-end properties to raise money for homelessness prevention.
Mayor Johnson’s plan to borrow $1.25 billion for development projects gets a mixed reception
Some Chicago City Council members urged more oversight of which projects Johnson’s plan would fund, while supporters said it would be a much needed boon to housing and city development.
What’s next as the Bring Chicago Home referendum hangs in limbo
Johnson rebuffed claims that the lackluster showing so far for the referendum is a referendum on him.
Bring Chicago Home referendum appears headed for defeat
The referendum would have permitted the City Council to raise taxes on high-end property sales while lowering the tax on properties under $1 million. Its defeat would be a stunning blow to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans to fund homelessness prevention.
Mayor Brandon Johnson exempts migrant families with children and those with measles from shelter evictions
With these new exceptions, the city is proceeding with a plan to require migrants leave shelters after 60 days and will require vaccinations.
‘Bring Chicago Home’ votes will be counted after Illinois Supreme Court denies appeal
The Illinois Supreme Court denied an appeal by real estate groups that tried to block the ballot question regarding tax rates on property sales.
Real estate groups ask the Illinois Supreme Court to block ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum
The groups want the state’s highest court to stop the effort to allow voters to approve increasing a sales tax on high-end properties before the March 19 primary
Illinois appellate court says ‘Bring Chicago Home’ referendum votes will count
Voters should get to decide the proposed tax increase on the sale of high-end properties in Chicago, the court ruled.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s borrowing plan raises questions about how the city will spend the money
Opponents of a proposal to increase the city’s real estate transfer tax for homelessness say Johnson’s plan is further proof the city doesn’t need the referendum.