How to stay in office for decades: Illinois State House elections

The other Senate

We want somebody somebody sent: electing Committeemen

Noteworthy Chicago congressional races

You be the judge: A new Supreme Court justice and other votes for the bench

Reclaim the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

We've got your files right here: A new Clerk of the Circuit Court

What is the Board of Review and why should we care?

Beyond Smollettgate: The Cook County State's Attorney’s race

So you want a new president? Illinois delegate assignments

Back by popular demand: The Back Room Deal features radio personality and longtime Reader political writer Ben Joravsky arguing local Chicago politics with Reader senior writer Maya Dukmasova. With sharp wit and stinging analysis, Joravsky and Dukmasova cut through the smokey haze of the elections to offer you a glimpse of the 2020 Chicago-area Illinois primary races—local and Cook County-level and, of course, U.S. presidential. Will these historic elections be determined in back-room deals, like so many in Chicago's past? Let Ben and Maya talk you through it.

An excellent podcast covering the idiosyncrasies of Chicago politics/government.

Vital, clear!

Indispensable, especially with the election coming up.

Glad to have found this

Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal

The ignored wards: runoffs in the 15th, 16th, and 21st

Ben and Maya look at the fight between low-income housing and neighborhood amenities in rapidly changing Uptown. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

Ben and Maya look at the fight between low-income housing and neighborhood amenities in rapidly changing Uptown. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

Not even trying to pretend: the 46th Ward

Ben and Maya look at the North Center / Ravenswood neighborhood and outgoing alderman Ameya Pawar's pragmatic, thoughtful progressivism. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

Ben and Maya look at the North Center / Ravenswood neighborhood and outgoing alderman Ameya Pawar's pragmatic, thoughtful progressivism. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

I'm falling asleep even saying it: the 47th Ward

Joe Moore

The former progressive champion turned mayoral rubber-stamper faces a tough race, and Ben and Maya are all about it. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

The former progressive champion turned mayoral rubber-stamper faces a tough race, and Ben and Maya are all about it. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

The Joe Moore Show: the 49th Ward

A classic political operator in the Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square area leads Ben and Maya into a discussion of their relationships with Chicago's aldermen. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

A classic political operator in the Bucktown/Wicker Park/Logan Square area leads Ben and Maya into a discussion of their relationships with Chicago's aldermen. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

Why does it look so weird: the First Ward

The indictment of the head of City Council's finance committee, who shook down a fast-food joint and kept a passel of guns in his office, offers plenty for Ben and Maya to consider. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

The indictment of the head of City Council's finance committee, who shook down a fast-food joint and kept a passel of guns in his office, offers plenty for Ben and Maya to consider. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

The latest Fast Eddie: the 14th Ward

Marty Quinn, close ally of Michael Madigan, has accrued a lot of power in the 13th ward, but Ben and Maya are more interested in what his 19-year-old challenger means for the machine politician. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

Marty Quinn, close ally of Michael Madigan, has accrued a lot of power in the 13th ward, but Ben and Maya are more interested in what his 19-year-old challenger means for the machine politician. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

A kid takes on the machine: the 13th Ward

Ben and Maya discuss Albany Park's powerful and well-connected alderman Deb Mell and her exciting DSA-backed challenger, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

Ben and Maya discuss Albany Park's powerful and well-connected alderman Deb Mell and her exciting DSA-backed challenger, Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

You have to pass the bill to know what's in it: the 33rd Ward

Michelle Obama

The future site of the Obama Presidential Center and the home of the University of Chicago also encompasses parts of lower-income South Shore, which Ben and Maya think makes for a fascinating aldermanic race. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

The future site of the Obama Presidential Center and the home of the University of Chicago also encompasses parts of lower-income South Shore, which Ben and Maya think makes for a fascinating aldermanic race. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

Ties to Kanye West and Michelle Obama: the Fifth Ward

Machine hangover: the 25th Ward

LEAD

A black woman will lead Chicago: the mayoral runoff

A clear line in the sand: the 30th Ward 

Departing progressive alderman Rick Munoz faces personal trouble in advance of the election, placing successor Michael Rodriguez's race in jeopardy, in staunchly independent Little Village. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

Departing progressive alderman Rick Munoz faces personal trouble in advance of the election, placing successor Michael Rodriguez's race in jeopardy, in staunchly independent Little Village. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

What can we expect from our elected officials: the 22nd Ward

The leading City Council proponent for putting the unpopular police academy in her far west-side ward faces a tough race, and Ben and Maya are excited. http://www.chicagoreader.com   *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at The Creative Impostor Studios Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine Special thanks to Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy FreeSound.org

The leading City Council proponent for putting the unpopular police academy in her far west-side ward faces a tough race, and Ben and Maya are excited. <a href="http://www.chicagoreader.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.chicagoreader.com</a> *** Chicago Reader's Back Room Deal is produced by Anne Elizabeth Moore. Produced and edited by Andrea Klunder at <a href="http://www.thecreativeimpostor.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Creative Impostor Studios</a> Hosted by Ben Joravsky &amp; Maya Dukmasova Recorded and mixed by Edwin R. Ruiz, <a href="http://www.mondomachine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mondo Machine</a> Special thanks to <a href="http://lumpenradio.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lumpen Radio WLPN 105.5FM</a> Theme music by Jim R. S. Bjorklund, courtesy <a href="https://freesound.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FreeSound.org</a>

Writing off the activists: the 37th Ward

Old friends and new enemies: aldermanic runoffs at Season One wards

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