The week started with a bombshell announcement from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. On Tuesday, joined by his wife Amy Rule, the two-term mayor announced he will not seek a third term in February. In this episode you’ll hear a one-on-one interview with Emanuel and WBEZ City Politics reporter Becky Vevea. They talk about his biggest regrets, where he’s headed, and what it was like holding the seat once held for nearly half a century by the Daleys. 

What brought us to this game-changing moment in political history? WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos explains the context: how Emanuel went from the chosen successor of the Daley dynasty in 2011 to the first mayoral candidate to be pushed into a runoff in 2015. From Laquan McDonald and police reform, to broke pension funds and record tax hikes, he explains how Emanuel would have had the hardest election of his life. 

City political reporter Claudia Morell digs into the history of what it takes to win a mayoral race in Chicago. 

Each week at On Background, WBEZ’s team of political reporters brings you the backstory on the week’s big story. Host Becky Vevea and guests take you inside the back rooms of Chicago and Illinois government to better understand the people, places and forces shaping today’s politics.