Some of Chicago’s most senior aldermen attend the fewest meetings, investigation finds

By Christian Elliott
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, 14th Ward, sits next to Ald. George Cardenas, 12th Ward
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, 14th Ward, sits to the right of Ald. George Cardenas, 12th Ward, at a City Council meeting on March 23, 2022. Cardenas and Burke had the worst and second-worst attendance rates, respectively, among city aldermen. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, 14th Ward, sits next to Ald. George Cardenas, 12th Ward
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, 14th Ward, sits to the right of Ald. George Cardenas, 12th Ward, at a City Council meeting on March 23, 2022. Cardenas and Burke had the worst and second-worst attendance rates, respectively, among city aldermen. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

Some of Chicago’s most senior aldermen attend the fewest meetings, investigation finds

By Christian Elliott
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A new investigation by WBEZ, The Daily Line and Crain’s Chicago Business revealed attendance jumped from a D to a B- under Lightoot. Virtual meetings and more accountability for aldermen led to the increase this term. But the number of city council committees has also risen, and some rarely meet despite having six figure budgets.

Reset checks in with two journalists involved in the investigation to learn more.

GUEST: Claudia Morell, WBEZ city political reporter

A.D. Quig, Crain’s Chicago Business government and politics reporter

Alex Nitkin, The Daily Line Cook County and Chicago land use policy reporter