Tessa Weinberg covers city government and politics for WBEZ. She comes to Chicago from The Missouri Independent, where she was a founding member of the team and focused on covering health, education and the legislature. She previously covered Texas state government for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and first spent a stint in Chicago as an intern at The Chicago Tribune.
![]()
Chicago City Council delays migrant funding but approves new committee structure
As Johnson led his first City Council meeting as mayor, he gave key appointments to allies who endorsed him.
![]()
A plan to spend $51 million to aid migrants rekindles a heated debate in a new Chicago City Council
While the measure is expected to pass, aldermen are debating prioritizing funding for migrant aid before investments for neighborhoods.
![]()
Brandon Johnson is sworn in as Chicago mayor
As Johnson begins his term as Chicago mayor, he faces two immediate issues: an influx of migrants and potential summer violence.
![]()
Brandon Johnson campaigned on reopening mental health clinics. Will he follow through?
Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson pledged to reopen mental health clinics. But now that approach is “yet to be determined.”
![]()
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says reform, equity and pandemic leadership will be her legacy
Lightfoot downplayed criticism and pointed to her success in managing COVID-19, civil unrest and championing neighborhood investment.
![]()
Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson’s new chief of staff is mum on policing proposals, but sees power staying with the mayor’s office
Rich Guidice, a former head of emergency management, says he hasn’t been fully briefed on Johnson’s policing plans, but plans to be a bridge with independent aldermen.
![]()
Teary speeches, haikus and old war stories: Chicago City Council members bid farewell
Mayor Lori Lightfoot ended her final City Council meeting on Wednesday without a farewell address of her own.
![]()
These are the moments that defined Chicago’s outgoing City Council
From mayoral elbowing to pandemic Zoom meetings, federal indictments and the Great Exodus, the City Council’s last four years have been quite tumultuous.
![]()
Lightfoot leaves Johnson with small city of Chicago budget gap
Lightfoot and budget officials announced Tuesday a forecasted $85 million budget gap in fiscal year 2024 – compared to the $474 million projected gap in last summer’s forecast.
![]()
Chicago’s new City Council will be more diverse than ever. Here’s what that could mean.
With more than a dozen new councilmembers, the power of the council will shift.
