Last week, Chicagoist caught up with the Master of the First Ward - and the only alderman regularly on Twitter - Chicago Ald. Manny Flores outside the Green Exchange. We've seen Flores in the news a lot lately for his insistence on shining light on government transparency as well as his battle to cap the city's Olympic liability (which he allegedly later backed down on). We talked to Flores about the economy, green initiatives, and he gives us a definitive answer on speculation he's running for mayor in 2011 (but a less definitive answer on if he's got plans for something else). more ›

It looks like Ald. Manny Flores (1st) has a bit of company in his bid to cap Olympic spending. Earlier this week, Flores introduced an ordinance to the City Council and so far 10 more aldermen have signed on to back the cap. They are, according to the Tribune: more ›

A new ordinance will give Chicago aldermen at least 60 days to review major city lease agreements and sales in the city. The law, which was approved by the city council June 3, permits aldermen to call in independent auditors before the city contracts are put out to bid. It also allows the council to call on the office of the inspector general for review agreements, though the council retains its usual responsibility for review. more ›

For people used to being ignored by City Hall, the whole communication and openness thing radiating from Ald. Manny Flores's 1st Ward must seem downright disconcerting. We're interested to hear about the alderman's most recent push: together with Ald. Ed Burke, Flores hopes to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles and other plastic products intended for children. If it passes on Wednesday, it'd make Chicago the first major city to police the product - on the heels of Suffolk County, New York, and the state of Minnesota. more ›