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Home » James Balcer

Tag: James Balcer

Posted inBlogs

Near West Side apartments sliced in half by ward remap

by Chloe Riley February 20, 2015August 18, 2021

Half of the Barbara Jean Wright apartments are in the 25th Ward and half are in the 11th Ward. Welcome to Chicago.

Posted inBlogs

Daley who? Rahm, City Council candidates downplay their ties to the political dynasty

by Mick Dumke January 19, 2015August 18, 2021

In the 11th Ward, another Daley is running for alderman.

Alderman Nicholas Sposato dared to propose a discussion about charter schools. It was immediately killed by allies of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Posted inColumns & Opinion

In Chicago, charter schools remain untouchable

by Ben Joravsky January 21, 2014August 18, 2021

Aldermen kill a proposal to discuss school policies but find time to take on Eliot Ness.

The Randolph Street staircase leading to the Chicago Cultural Center's Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall
Posted inArts & Culture

A vanity plate for the Chicago Cultural Center?

by Deanna Isaacs December 30, 2013August 18, 2021

Do we need another building named for a Daley? A new City Council proposal would give us one.

Jitu Brown of Kenwood Oakland Community Organization wants to send "busloads of people to Springfield" to persuade the state to require an elected school board in Chicago.
Posted inColumns & Opinion

The mayor gets the City Council to bury the elected school board issue (again)

by Ben Joravsky December 3, 2013August 19, 2021

The mayor gets the City Council to bury the elected school board issue (again).

Activists at the Take Back Chicago rally ripped Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s policies—and some of his City Council allies joined in.
Posted inColumns & Opinion

How to irritate Mayor Emanuel and do some legislating in one easy step

by Ben Joravsky October 22, 2013August 19, 2021

How to irritate Mayor Emanuel and do some legislating in one easy step

Posted inBlogs

Public safety committee meeting avoids discussion of public safety

by Mick Dumke September 6, 2012August 19, 2021

As the violence continues in Chicago, aldermen target phony military heroes

On June 28, the day after the City Council voted to lessen pot possession penalties, law enforcement agents held a press conference to announce the interception of eight tons of weed.
Posted inNews & Politics

How Chicago said yes to pot

by Mick Dumke and Ben Joravsky July 3, 2012August 19, 2021

How Chicago said yes to pot

Posted inBlogs

Aldermen say yes to pot law changes

by Mick Dumke June 21, 2012August 19, 2021

Rahm Emanuel’s decriminalization proposal moves forward

Posted inBlogs

When senators start looking like aldermen

by Mick Dumke June 14, 2012August 19, 2021

JP Morgan Chase shows how money buys attention at every level of politics

Posted inBlogs

Aldermen examine new protest rules before doing what they’re told

by Mick Dumke January 17, 2012August 19, 2021

Somehow Mayor Emanuel gets his way again

Posted inBlogs

New police chief sets out to show he’s not the old police chief

by Mick Dumke June 6, 2011August 19, 2021

Garry McCarthy and the aldermen who signed off on his appointment as Chicago police superintendent Monday were eager to send a message to the public: He is not Jody Weis. As 33rd Ward alderman Richard Mell put it: “The difference between you and your predecessor is like night and day.” The aldermen should know. Several […]

First Ward: Proco "Joe" Moreno
Posted inArts & Culture

50 Aldermen/50 Artists

by Chicago Reader April 1, 2010August 19, 2021

All 50 portraits, from the group show, including works by Derek Erdman, Jon Gitelson, Lucas Blair Simpson, and more

Posted inBlogs

Chicago Ain’t Ready for Police Board Reform

by Mick Dumke March 10, 2010August 19, 2021

Proposals to reform a key police oversight body are on hold while aldermen await orders from Mayor Daley.

Posted inBlogs

Howling at the Moon

by Mick Dumke October 1, 2009August 19, 2021

Amid a spate of youth violence, the City Council’s police and fire committee meets … to discuss a crackdown on loud dog barking.

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