Latest Jora Podcast Episodes
4/28/24: "Sigcho-Lopez protest invests colleagues' blitzkrieg"
Inside Chicago Government - April 28, 2024 20:11 - 52 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsFifteen City Council members called a special April 1 meeting to oust Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez as housing committee chair. In a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben analyzed the raucous gathering. (Subscribers can find the full-length version at chigov.com.) Length...
3/1/24: "Chief cop-watcher and top cop spar at Police Board meeting"
Inside Chicago Government - March 01, 2024 21:30 - 31 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn this audio from a public meeting of the Chicago Police Board on Feb 22 2024, a clash took place between the heads of the Chicago Police Dept. and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Length 31.2 minutes.
2/3/24: "Top cop strongly defends Shotspotter at public meeting"
Inside Chicago Government - February 04, 2024 03:30 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn this audio piece, Chicago Police Dept. Superintendent Larry Snelling lent support to the controversial Shotspotter system--which Mayor Brandon Johnson has opposed. The top cop's remarks came at a January 13, 2024 public meeting of Chicago's Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountabil...
12/28/23: "Chicago Police sergeant: district station crumbling, flooding, and unhealthy for years"
Inside Chicago Government - December 28, 2023 23:30 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn this audio piece, a Chicago Police Dept. sergeant revealed unsafe and unhealthy conditions at the 11th District police station on the West Side. Length 9.1 minutes.
12/4/23: "November council: sorrow, censure, and referenda"
Inside Chicago Government - December 05, 2023 03:30 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in November of 2023. In the standard version, council members reacted to 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack's move to censure 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa. ...
10/6/23: "Sept. City Council takes shelter, chance on finance"
Inside Chicago Government - October 06, 2023 19:30 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed audio from several meetings of the Chicago City Council in September, 2023. In the standard version, Mayor Brandon Johnson and aldermen introduced a measure to use real estate transfer taxes for housing the unhoused...
8/7/23: Police Consent Decree: toeing the line, or dragging their feet?
Inside Chicago Government - August 07, 2023 20:00 - 23 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn audio from a June 2, 2023 public meeting, lawyers from the city of Chicago and the American Civil Liberties Union clashed on the pace of police reforms mandated by the 2019 Consent Decree. Length 23.2 minutes.
7/11/23: "Police staffing called out by community commission and mayor's transition report"
Inside Chicago Government - July 11, 2023 17:30 - 6 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn this audio piece, a public safety commission member questioned police workforce allocation--a matter also highlighted in a report by Mayor Brandon Johnson's transition team. Length 6.8 minutes.
6/21/23: "Community stakeholders challenge police use-of-force training"
Inside Chicago Government - June 22, 2023 15:30 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn this audio piece, members of Chicago’s Use of Force Community Working Group criticized use-of-force training by the Chicago Police Department. Length 8.5 minutes.
6/14/23: "May mayoral debut: dodge 'em, and maybe mayhem"
Inside Chicago Government - June 15, 2023 04:30 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben probed audio from 2023's May 24 and May 31 meetings of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen reacted on May 24 to Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposed slate of 20 council committees and their associa...
5/12/23: "Former inspector general: the rise and fall of training handbook for aldermen"
Inside Chicago Government - May 12, 2023 20:30 - 6 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn an audio interview, former Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson described an effort to formalize the training of new aldermen, and gave insights into why it failed. In the standard version, Ferguson described how the idea of an aldermanic handbook came to him. In the premium version, Ferguso...
4/17/23: "March marvel: unruly council pulls rules"
Inside Chicago Government - April 18, 2023 04:30 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated audio from a special March 30 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen spoke against expanding the number of council committees from 19 to 28. In the premium ver...
4/3/23: "March City Council: failure to communicate"
Inside Chicago Government - April 04, 2023 04:20 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben heard and weighed parts of the March 2023 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen passionately debated whether to accept state funding for the city's migrant efforts. In the premium vers...
3/2/23: "February council: TIF black box, Comm Ed shocks"
Inside Chicago Government - March 03, 2023 03:00 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben heard and appraised parts of 2023's February meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, approval of tax-increment financing for a Lincoln Ave. project bespeaks a lack of transparency. In the premium...
2/1/23: "What newly-elected aldermen need to know, and who might tell them"
Inside Chicago Government - February 01, 2023 20:02 - 6 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn an audio interview, Dave Glowacz spoke with First Ward Ald. Daniel La Spata about the training of new City Council members. In the standard version, La Spata spoke of plans to have newbies shadow their experienced peers. In the premium version: how the city's "formal" training lacked key info ...
1/4/23: "Aldermen spread Red bread at year's end"
Inside Chicago Government - January 05, 2023 03:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in December of 2022. In the standard version, aldermen spoke in favor of Red Line Extension (RLE) tax-increment financing (TIF). In the premium...
12/15/22: "Ex-city budget analyst: real Chicago police cost exceeds 2023 budget by 75 percent"
Inside Chicago Government - December 16, 2022 03:00 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsJonathan Silverstein, a budget analyst fired by the city's Council Office of Financial Analysis, explained his recent report: "The Real Cost of the Chicago Police Department." In the standard version, Silverstein revealed the city of Chicago’s unusual budgeting practice: Many costs attributable t...
11/29/22: "Aldermen's pique at Lightfoot's 2023 budget, nominations"
Inside Chicago Government - November 30, 2022 05:00 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and evaluated meetings of the Chicago City Council that took place in October and November of 2022. In the standard version, aldermen challenged Mayor Lightfoot's administration about how and whether the propos...
The Desert of Doubt - The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Part 6 - Tandem Legends 097
Tandem Legends: a Legend of Zelda Podcast - October 21, 2022 20:16 - 44 minutes ★★★★★ - 269 ratingsDeep within the shifting sands of the Desert of Doubt, Team Link meets new friends in the Gerudo and Zuna tribes, the latter being the original builders of the Pyramid that Ganondorf has trespassed upon. Following in the mysterious Gerudo tribe member’s footsteps, the Links discover the Trident ...
10/8/22: "Sept. council kicks former public-housing land to soccer billionaire"
Inside Chicago Government - October 08, 2022 17:53 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben assessed the September, 2022 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen argued over a proposed rezoning of Chicago Housing Authority land for a soccer facility. In the premium version: zoni...
The Dark World - The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Part 5 - Tandem Legends 096
Tandem Legends: a Legend of Zelda Podcast - October 07, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 269 ratingsIn search of the dark mirror, the Team Link navigate the dimly lit paths of the industrious Deku Scrubs within the Lost Woods, restore peace to a burning and besieged Kakariko Village, and obtain the Green Royal Jewel. Instead of the Dark Mirror, Link finds the ghostly apparition of Phantom Gan...
Near the Fields - The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures Part 4 - Tandem Legends 095
Tandem Legends: a Legend of Zelda Podcast - September 30, 2022 11:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 269 ratingsOn their way back to Hyrule Castle, Link and company find swarms of aggressive Hyrulean Guards terrorizing local citizens, roaming Ghini and stalfos in the swamp, a Big Poe, and a cursed Knight of Hyrule who offers them the first royal gem. The White Maiden is freed and we are teleported to the...
9/12/22: "Effects of Pat Quinn's state House cut and cumulative voting quash"
Inside Chicago Government - September 13, 2022 03:04 - 6 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn an audio interview with Ill. government veteran Kevin Lamm, Dave Glowacz explored a 1980 state constitution amendment that fundamentally changed the state House. In the standard version, Lamm explained the big switch in 1980 from cumulative voting in House districts. In the premium version: Pa...
8/8/22: "July City Council drags on speed, comment"
Inside Chicago Government - August 08, 2022 15:23 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben analyzed the July, 2022 meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, members of the public remain cut off from aldermen. In the premium version: Ninth Ward Ald. Anthony Beale's speed camera curb goes ...
7/17/22: "June City Council: appointment, speed cam disappointment"
Inside Chicago Government - July 18, 2022 03:35 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben dissected June, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, the ethicality of a non-election aldermanic turnover in the 24th Ward. In the premium version: more legislative twists and turns for Ninth...
6/8/22: "Half-dozen May council sessions: contours, quorums, curfew, casino"
Inside Chicago Government - June 08, 2022 20:30 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated May, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen showed their upset with a ward remap compromise--and with each other. In the premium version: pointed objections to Mayor Lightfoo...
5/19/22: "Aldermen, after transit/gas plan blast, pass it "
Inside Chicago Government - May 19, 2022 21:00 ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated April and May, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen oppose Mayor Lightfoot's $12.5 million proposal to distribute 100,000 prepaid transit cards and 50,000 prepaid gas-stati...
5/19/22: "Aldermen, after transit/gas plan blast, pass it"
Inside Chicago Government - May 19, 2022 21:00 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated April and May, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen oppose Mayor Lightfoot's $12.5 million proposal to distribute 100,000 prepaid transit cards and 50,000 prepaid gas-stati...
4/9/22: "March council's safe bets and long shots"
Inside Chicago Government - April 10, 2022 01:00 - 7 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben evaluated March, 2022 meetings of the Chicago City Council. In the standard version, excitement and confusion over the council's first-ever use of electronic voting. In the premium version: dismay and righteousness at the ...
3/12/22: "February City Council: land, honors, and justice"
Inside Chicago Government - March 13, 2022 03:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsIn a discussion by journalists Dave Glowacz and Ben Joravsky, Dave and Ben listened to and opined on parts of 2022's February meeting of the full Chicago City Council. In the standard version, aldermen discussed the city's policy around a particular (but not unique) proposed purchase of a former ...