Most Chicagoans (even the most energetic, civic-minded activists) have little time or the know-how to lumber through the ”Journal of Proceedings of the Chicago City Council,” packed with all its innocuous ordinances and resolutions, to uncover important city voting records.
Unless it`s controversial enough to get on the broadcast news or in the papers, we often find ourselves unaware of how councilmen have voted on key issues that affect our neighborhood or ward.
Fortunately, for the first time, Citizens Information Service has published a non-partisan information resource on the city`s legislative processes called ”Chicago City Council Report.” Published quarterly, it includes how all councilmen voted on specific hotly contested issues. I`m grateful such a resource now exists.
I now know aldermen don`t really have emotional debates over their favorite ice cream flavors. However, I`m not alone in wondering how our 50 elected city legislators actually behave and conduct themselves in their day- to-day (heated or lukewarm) council sessions.
For years numerous counties and municipalities across the country have aired their legislative proceedings on local cable channels. For four years the city has operated two public access channels used to review various departmental operations and broadcast public service announcements. But city council proceedings are still not covered.
How long will Chicagoans remain perched behind the city council`s chamber door?
