AltWeeklies Wire
Guarding Grandpanew

Illinois is spending money it doesn't have to keep convicts who can barely walk behind bars.
Chicago Reader |
Jessica Pupovac |
01-06-2011 |
Policy Issues
Tags: Prisons, Bill Heirens
Transparency in Chicago is a Big Jokenew
Mayor Daley has a laugh at reporters' expense, but that’s not who's losing out.
Chicago Reader |
Mick Dumke |
05-24-2010 |
Policy Issues
Tags: Richard Daley
Chicago May Have Leased out Its Parking Meters for a Fraction of Their Worthnew
The Daley administration hid its process for privatizing Chicago's parking meters from the public and the City Council. Now, three months into the deal, new evidence suggests the taxpayers were hosed out of billions of dollars.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
05-18-2009 |
Policy Issues
The Story of Chicago's Parking Meter Lease Dealnew

How Mayor Daley and his crew hid their process from the public, ignored their own rules, railroaded the City Council, and screwed the taxpayers on the parking meter lease deal.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
04-10-2009 |
Policy Issues
When Chicago's Slush Fund Dries Upnew
The TIF kitty is still growing, per the county clerk's annual report -- but it may not be growing fast enough to cover the bets Chicago has made against it.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
11-10-2008 |
Policy Issues
Is the Midway Airport Lease Really a Good Deal for Chicago Taxpayers?new
Midway Airport is arguably one of the city of Chicago's better-run operations -- it is profitable to the tune of about $100 million a year. So why would the city be in such a hurry to pawn it off, railroading the $2.5 billion transaction through the City Council with little scrutiny or debate?
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
10-20-2008 |
Policy Issues
A New Twist on an Old Tricknew
If Illinois has its way, a TIF on sales taxes means you'll be funding the rehab of Wrigley Field.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
03-10-2008 |
Policy Issues
Tags: public policy issues
For Illinois, It'd Be a Zell of a Dealnew
The state's proposed purchase and renovation of Wrigley Field is a corporate handout that even the mayor can't swallow.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
01-07-2008 |
Policy Issues
Tags: public policy issues
A Study in Contrastsnew
In Chicago, a suburban middle school spends more than $14,000 per kid, while the city gets ready to dole out $65 million to developers.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky |
06-25-2007 |
Policy Issues
Tags: public policy issues