Chicago’s City Council runs through marathon meetings to push a new casino plan forward
After an hours-long debate, a panel of Chicago aldermen advanced the mayor’s plan to bring a Bally’s casino to the city.
Politics
With one of Illinois’ largest political reporting teams, WBEZ’s Government & Politics desk holds elected officials and government bodies accountable. We cover the policy debates and political machinations happening at the state Capitol in Springfield, in Cook County government and at Chicago’s City Hall.
![]()
![]()
Mike Madigan quipped ‘maybe I’ll take the appointment’ while pushing for an ally to join ComEd’s board
Madigan’s comments may not exactly find a place in the Chicago corruption lexicon, but most of the words previously attributed by the feds to Madigan are far more flat.
![]()
New Illinois maps are creating challenges for women seeking reelection
The state’s two first-term female representatives, Democratic Rep. Marie Newman and Republican Rep. Mary Miller, were among the biggest losers in the remapping.
![]()
Lightfoot’s curfew rollback clears committee amid opposition from all sides
The Committee on Public Safety approved the mayor’s ordinance by a comfortable vote of 14 to 3 that did not reflect the barrage of concerns raised about a crackdown roundly condemned as a toothless and desperate headline-grabber that will have no impact on youth violence.
![]()
Early voting begins in Illinois. Here’s why access is better here than some other states.
Next to Indiana and Wisconsin, the state has less strict requirements for voter identification, absentee ballots and same-day registration.
![]()
Facing blowback on a new curfew, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot asks City Council to weigh in
Lightfoot earlier this week issued an executive order moving up the curfew for minors. After the ACLU complained, agendas show a new ordinance pitch is coming.
![]()
Billionaire Kenneth Griffin’s financial empire is expanding its firearms-related holdings
This comes as Griffin’s favored GOP gubernatorial candidate, Richard Irvin, has hammered Gov. JB Pritzker for failing to stem violent crime.
![]()
How two Chicago groups are teaching people to be anti-racist
As the number of hate crimes increases in the U.S., organizers say conversations on how to be anti-racist are more important than ever.
![]()
City officials outline details of a new curfew for Chicago teenagers
A new executive order directs Chicago police to “immediately increase enforcement” of the new curfew and take teens who don’t comply into custody.
![]()
Chicagoans weigh in on the shapes and constituencies of their new ward map
Chicago aldermen approved the map Monday, narrowly avoiding a deadline that would have allowed voters to decide on boundaries themselves.
