Meet Your Alderman: Recent Episodes
UC3P
Politics, in one sense, is what happens when policy objectives meet reality. Hosts Sarah Scott and Eric Geber explore how local policies are debated and implemented right here in Chicago. Each episode of "Meet Your Alderman" introduces listeners to a different alderman from the city's 50 wards and covers policies like education, economic development, policing, and housing. Meet Your Alderman is brought to you by the University of Chicago Public Policy Podcasts (UC3P).
We welcome 26th Ward alderperson Jessie Fuentes to the podcast. We talk to her about her prior community engagement work, her policy priorities in Council, and great places to visit the 26th Ward.
You can find your alderman at this link.
Follow us on Twitter/X @TweetUrAlderman.
We welcome 48th ward alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth to the podcast to kick off the new season. We talk to her about her first year at City Hall and her policy priorities for this session.
You can find your alderman here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
On the final episode of our Meet Your Government Miniseries, Hannah Bernick interviews 2nd-year MPP student Kristina Matysik and our co-host Eric Geber about Chicago's City Council: how it operates vs. how it was intended to operate, and how it stacks up against other cities.
Special thanks to Eric and Kristina's teammates: Jayson Cayanan, Meredith Gavin, Colin Maloney, and Julian Varo.
Sarah and Jeff talk to Tina Hone, one of two runoff candidates for alderman of the 5th Ward. Be sure to check out the interview with the race's other candidate, Desmon Yancy here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-14-desmon-yancy-candidate-for-the-5th-ward/id1608576910?i=1000605362524
Link to Tina's campaign website: https://hone5thward.com/
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you want us to ask future guests!
Sarah and Eric talk to Desmon Yancy, one of two runoff candidates for 5th ward alderman. Be sure to check out our interview with the other candidate, Tina Hone, when it drops.
Link to Desmon Yancy's campaign website: Yancy for the 5th
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you want us to ask future guests!
Sarah and Eric talk to Heather Cherone, political reporter for WTTW and current Prtizker Fellow at the Institute of Politics. Heather provides the inside scoop on the upcoming mayoral and aldermanic elections in the city. If you've got any questions about the election or just Chicago politics in general, this episode is for you.
For a comprehensive guide on the Mayoral and City Council Candidates: https://news.wttw.com/elections/voters-guide/2023?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=adwords&utm_content=voter-guide&gclid=CjwKCAiA9NGfBhBvEiwAq5vSy1mYd_4sgyPI2ui1LkP_GprtuASeQnnsHvZdxUIJ-qwOBgipW2dtSRoCS8EQAvD_BwE
You can find more information on where to vote in Chicago on February 28, 2023 at: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/home.html
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you want us to ask future guests!
Sarah and Eric sit down with David Axelrod to talk all things Chicago. They covered the city's 2023 elections, David's career in journalism and political campaigns, and the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics.
For a comprehensive guide on the Mayoral and City Council Candidates: https://news.wttw.com/elections/voters-guide/2023?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=adwords&utm_content=voter-guide&gclid=CjwKCAiA9NGfBhBvEiwAq5vSy1mYd_4sgyPI2ui1LkP_GprtuASeQnnsHvZdxUIJ-qwOBgipW2dtSRoCS8EQAvD_BwE
You can find more information on where to vote in Chicago on February 28, 2023 at: https://chicagoelections.gov/en/home.html
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you want us to ask future guests!
On this episode of our Meet Your Government Miniseries, Jeff Bittle talks to Jack Carey and Evan Eising about the city's massive municipal budget: what goes into it, how its crafted, and how the process could be made better.
Special thanks to Jack and Evan's teammates: Gabby Meyers, Tomo Yano, and Jiae Myung
Kristan Wong Karinen talks to Oswaldo Gomez about the community engagement (and community organizing) landscape in Chicago. Oswaldo Gomez currently serves as the Vice President of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Special thanks to Tatum McCormick and Anna Kenig-Ziesler, the other members of the Community Engagement team of the Chicago Governance policy lab.
An interview with Molly Smith, who joins us to talk about what police accountability looks like in Chicago and how the city stacks up against other US cities. Molly Smith is a Master of Public Policy Candidate at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of the Chicago Policy Review.
Special acknowledgement goes to Ally Hardebeck, Quinn Kelly, Emilia Porubcin, and Jack Reams, who contributed research and writing to the final policy memo Molly references throughout the episode.
An interview with Joe Ferguson, former IG for the city of Chicago and Founding Executive Director of (re)Chicago. This is the first installment of our new mini-series “Meet You Government."
The Meet your Alderman team is happy to announce the launch of our new mini-series that doesn’t include any Aldermen: Meet Your Government
This series will explore the key systemic faults in Chicago’s local government as they relate to four important areas: police accountability, the budget, community engagement, and city council. Take a listen for more information and keep an eye out for new episodes!
Eric and MYA's newest member Jeff Bittle talk to Carlos Ramirez-Rosa of the 35th Ward
Acronyms:
COPA: Civilian Office of Police Accountability
ECPS: Empowering Communities for Public Safety
CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability
Links:
COPA Website: https://www.chicagocopa.org/
COPA Phone Number: 312-746-3609
Ward Website: https://www.carlosrosa.org/
Ward webpage (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/35.html
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman) and DM us any questions you may have for future guests!
Sarah and Eric talk to Raymond Lopez of the 15th Ward
Links:
Information about the SAFE-T Act: https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/the-2021-safe-t-act-icjia-roles-and-responsibilities
Ward Website: https://www.the15thward.org/
Ward webpage (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/15.html
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
Follow us on Twitter (@TweetUrAlderman)!
Sarah and Eric talk to Nicole Lee of the 11th Ward
Links
11th Ward Website: https://www.ward11.org/
11th Ward page (City of Chicago website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/11.html
Chinese American Service League (CASL): https://www.caslservice.org/
Article about the Near South Side CPS School: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/19/near-south-side-cps-high-school-a-step-closer-to-reality-after-cha-agrees-to-lease-former-public-housing-site/
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
Sarah and Eric look back on the first season of Meet Your Alderman and discuss what they’ve learned about Chicago politics, making a podcast, and the endurance required to withstand the endless rounds of editing. Plus, they look ahead and speculate what’s in store for Season 2 and beyond—but not before Sarah takes a dig at Chicago deep dish.
Sarah and Eric interview the 25th Ward's Alderman, Byron Sigcho-Lopez
LINKS
25th Ward Website: https://www.25thward.org/
25th Ward Webpage (City of Chicago): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/25.html
Information about “The 78”:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/the-78.html
Information about the new ward maps: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/16/chicagos-controversial-new-ward-map-approved-with-16-black-14-latino-wards/
Layout of the new ward maps: https://app.mydistricting.com/legdistricting/comments/plan/225/26
Information about Mayor Lightfoot’s recent casino pick: https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/05/05/chicago-casino-will-be-ballys-in-river-west-at-former-tribune-publishing-plant-lightfoot-announces/
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
ACRONYMS:
CAC: Community Advisory Council
CBA: Community Benefits Agreement
TIF: Tax Increment Financing. A special funding tool used by the City of Chicago to promote improvements in specific sections of the city.
More info here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/tif.html
Sarah and Eric interview Alderman Harry Osterman of the 48th Ward.
48th Ward website: http://48thward.org/
48th Ward webpage (city of Chicago): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/48.html
INFORMATION REGARDING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT OF THE CPD:
Information on the ECPS ordinance: https://southsideweekly.com/a-step-toward-community-control-of-the-police/#:~:text=The%20ECPS%20ordinance%20will%20create,year%20terms%20beginning%20in%202023.
And https://www.injusticewatch.org/news/2021/chicago-police-civilian-oversight/
Original CPAC ordinance: https://www.law.uchicago.edu/files/CPAC_ordinance.pdf
GAPA recommendations: https://www.bpichicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/GAPA-Report-2018.pdf
ACRONYMS
CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
CPD: Chicago Police Department
CPS: Chicago Public Schools
ECPS: Empowering Communities
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability
ECPS: Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ordinance that passed last summer which was a compromise between the GAPA and CPAC proposals)
An interview with the 40th Ward's Alderman Andre Vasquez
In the episode, we mention Alderman Vasquez's article on scooters - here's the link if you'd like to read more about his plans for green transportation! https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/2/8/22924003/chicago-e-scooter-program-equity-jobs-andre-vasquez-other-views
Interested in learning more? Check out a map of the 40th ward here:
https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/document_4017.pdf
Ward 40's official page: https://40thward.org/
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
ACRONYMS
CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council
CPS: Chicago Public Schools
CTU: Chicago Teachers Union
ECPS: Empowering Communities FOR Public Safety Ordinance
Sarah and Eric interview Alderman Michael Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward.
Haga clic en el enlace para la entrevista en Español (Link to the Spanish transcript): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1prCnDlY3PhhdeK59Drjjy95Hv4t1OjiMgxVi7YkX220/edit?usp=sharing
Interested in learning more? Check out these sites for more info about the 22nd ward.
22nd Ward website: https://www.22ndward.org/
22nd Ward Page (City Council website): https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/22.html
Alderman Rodriguez’s website: https://www.mikerodriguez.org/
Alderman Rodriguez’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/rodriguezfor22
Enlace Chicago: https://www.enlacechicago.org/
TCEP: https://www.tcepchicago.org/
Phrases and Acronyms:
CPAC: Civilian Police Accountability Council, a precursor to the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Vamos a Cuidar Nuestro Tesoro En Casa: Let’s Keep Our Treasured (Children and Families) at Home
GAPA: Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability
IPO: Independent Political Organization
Promotores de salud: Health promoters, or community health workers
SSA: (School of) Social Service Administration; the former name of the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice
TCEP: Telpochcalli Community Education Project (link to their site above)
An interview with the 49th Ward's Alderwoman Maria Hadden.
Interested in learning more? Check out a map of the 49th ward here:
https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/document_4026.pdf
Ward 49's official page: https://www.49thward.org/
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
ACRONYMS
CDPH: The Chicago Department of Public Health
CPS: Chicago Public Schools
CP4P: Communities Partnering 4 Peace; framework that aims to end gang violence in Chicago
CTU: Chicago Teachers Union
ECCSE: Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change
Sarah and Eric interview Alderwoman Leslie Hairston of Chicago's 5th Ward.
Interested in learning more? Check out a map of the 5th ward here: https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/document_3982.pdf
Ward 5's official page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/about/wards/05.html
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html
Some useful acronyms:
CBA: Community Benefits Agreement
SSA: Special Service Area (local tax districts that fund expanded services and programs. These enhanced services and programs are in addition to those provided by the city. Also known as Business Improvement Districts. The South Shore SSA is SSA #42).
NOTE:
The police oversight ordinance that Ald. Hairston referred to was passed in July of 2021. More information on it can be found here: https://www.injusticewatch.org/news/2021/chicago-police-civilian-oversight/
What is an "Alderman"? What is the political machine? Who are the Daleys? In our first episode, we give listeners a glimpse into the history of Chicago Politics.
Interested in learning more? Check out an encyclopedia of Chicago here: http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/ and a documentary about Richard J. Daley, Former Mayor of Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWjeTdw-0E&t=830s&ab_channel=AyooChitown.
Want to know who YOUR alderman is? Find more information here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/iframe/lookup_ward_and_alderman.html