Ep. 1: Preface

Chicago’s problems are clear. But what’s next? And how can Chicagoans make change? Ed Bachrach and Austin Berg answer these questions as they conclude their findings.

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall joins the podcast to share his deep insight on Chicago's and Illinois' pensions crises and what the city might be able to do to turn things around.

Richard Tefank, executive director of the Los Angeles Police Department, and Ted Pearson, co-chair of Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, join the podcast to discuss policing reforms that could improve justice and accountability in Chicago.

Shayne Kavanagh from the Government Finance Officers Association joins the podcast to discuss municipal financial practices. What can Chicago learn from others? Where does Chicago fall short?

Former Alderman Dick Simpson — now a University of Illinois-Chicago political science professor — joins the podcast to discuss the structure of Chicago’s City Council and ways the city’s system of governance can improve.

How does Chicago's lack of a city charter affect the way the city operates? Two experts – Raphael Sonenshein and Eric Lane – who worked on the city charter commissions in Los Angeles and New York, respectively, weigh in on this episode.

Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson joins the podcast to discuss the structural problems leading to corruption in Chicago, and what the city can do to combat it.

Ed Bachrach and Austin Berg outline the central argument of their book, and preview what's to come on this podcast series.