In a 43-6 vote, the Chicago City Council voted to create a new Office of Compliance to police city hiring. Critics have charged that the new office will compete with, and therefore undermine the effectiveness of, the city Inspector General. Daley lauded the vote while reassuring critics, telling the Tribune, "it is the primary responsibility of the inspector general to investigate allegations of misconduct. ... At its core, this department is about assuring that the... more ›

Just days before he faces Naisy Dolar at the ballot box in Chicago's 50th Ward, Bernie Stone is facing a different kind of challenge in his ward: public art, and the tension it can create in the community. Muhammed Ali, a British Muslim artist who is touring the US in conjunction with the Arts Council England for his “Arts and Islam” tour, came to Chicago this past weekend. For the Chicago portion of the tour,... more ›

The ward west of Rogers Park, the 50th, is going to be one of the more interesting northside races this winter. Although most Chicagoist readers don't live there, it's worth noting, for several reasons. Bernie Stone, the sitting alderman, is facing two serious challengers. What's more, they are both credible, often a premium in ward races. On December 30, Greg Brewer held a press conference to officially announce that he was throwing his hat in... more ›