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.
A Sun-Times analysis finds that thousands of scofflaws — many from the suburbs — have dodged city debts over the years, depriving City Hall of a massive sum of money as Mayor Brandon Johnson faces steep budget challenges.
A WBEZ analysis shows that while people may be more cynical and government is more expensive, voter interest in state elections has only increased.
“There should not be VIP seating for residents of Chicago to watch their government at work,” the ACLU said of the new policy.
A community group and homeowners in Evanston and Wilmette are suing to stop the “commercialization” of the university’s rebuilt Ryan Field.
U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall denied a request for mistrial made over a remark about the “Chicago way of doing business” being “very corrupt.”
When Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur explained that she did not expect Amtrak executive Ray Lang to make the comment, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall quickly asked, ‘What were you expecting him to say?’
Feds say giving Council members “a local veto over proposals to build affordable housing” has meant it’s “rarely, if ever, constructed in the majority-white wards that have the least affordable housing.”
Reporters could only speculate about what prompted the raid, but ex-Mayor Lori Lightfoot admits she “rode that wave ‘till it crashed on the beach.”
Diamond Jones is challenging Richton Park’s crime-free ordinance, saying it violated her constitutional rights. The suburban Cook County community is among several municipalities with similar laws on the books.
In recent months, alderpeople have been accosted, received threats and security has had to clear council chambers on more than one occasion.
