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February 27, 2023

Does Chi Need 50 Alders?

City Cast Chicago

Does Chi Need 50 Alders?

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Tomorrow, voters will choose who will run the city as they cast ballots for mayor and City Council. But aside from candidates’ plans and positions, we wanted to know why Chicago’s government has looked the same for the last century, with 50 alders representing 50 wards. William Howell is director of the Center for Effective Government at University of Chicago. He talks with host Jacoby Cochran about the trade-offs in our current system and why Chicagoans should care.


Check out the center’s series with Crain’s about Chicago’s government “One City, 50 Wards.”


Some news: The city treasurer’s office is hosting a virtual tax prep conversation at noon today.


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