Ben Joravsky Interviews: Inside Chicago Government

Daley and Thompson's negotiations hidden in plain sight; if the public screams, the Board of Ed did good; and a look inside the bureaucratic mind. Length 8.3 minutes.

The plan that doesn't plan; a TIF reform that Ben actually likes; and, did the alderman deserve a scolding? Length 8.8 minutes.

Winners of the Chicago citizenship award; how voting beats recycling; and Chicago elections--the new basketball? Length 8.7 minutes.

The Block 37 debacle dissected; bonds better for building; and Alderman Ben and Alderman Dave's lesson in democracy. Length 9.7 minutes.

The roll call of abused schools; why city government hides how much revenue it needs; and Ben's perverse delight in reporting. Length 9.7 minutes.

What the Board of Review does; and conflict of interest everywhere you look. Length 4.1 minutes.

What Ben wants in a state's attorney; who not to vote for; and the criteria by which to judge a real reformer. Length 4 minutes.

Where to find the real dirt on candidates; whether back-room drama trumps voting records; and the big Chicago issue that candidates won't face. Length 9.3 minutes.

Why you don't need a TIF primer; how West-Side residents discovered a city slush fund; and why the city won't contribute more to the CTA. Length 9.3 minutes.

Why news media fear the mayor; Ben's defense of the Sun-Times; and the silence of the Olympics. Length 7.5 minutes.

Will the Cubs' owners get the same (huge) tax break as the the Sox' owners; the red herring of the Cubs' threat to move; and what Mayor Daley really wants. Length 9.3 minutes.

Tho he's written no article about the Reader's layoff of his fellow staff writers, here Ben reveals how the layoffs have affected him, what the writers brought to the Reader, and what he sees in the paper's future. Length 6.8 minutes.

Why persons challenging Cook County incumbents often don't make it to the ballot; Ben's idea for open elections; and, which would you determines your government--football or elections? Length 9.3 minutes.

Demystifying the process for appealing property-tax assessments; Ben's plan for a fairer taxing scheme; and how champions of downtown talk on both sides of their mouths. Length 8.8 minutes.

Ben and Inside Chicago Government create a roadmap for taxpayers that reveals exactly how much of one's taxes get siphoned off to tax increment financing districts. Length 9.9 minutes.

How tax increment financing districts get gerrymandered; the dark underbelly of the public process; and public officials' off-the-record feelings about TIF. Length 9.8 minutes.