The Latest Breaking News from Dick Simpson

‘The Hollywood of politics’: Chicago in spotlight as Democrats roll into town

Thousands of delegates will descend upon a city struggling to reinvent its politics after decades of control by the Democratic machine

The Guardian - US · Aug 19, 2024

Corruption in Illinois breeds voter cynicism, but what about voter apathy?

Calculating the true cost of corruption on Illinois residents is a complicated task wrapped in contradiction. A WBEZ analysis shows people may be more cynical, government more expensive, but voter interest in state elections only increased. 

Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 1, 2023

‘Common sense’ doesn’t explain City Council, so judge to allow Chicago ‘civics lesson’ for Burke jurors

Political science professor Constance Mixon’s testimony about government operations will be crucial to helping jury understand the racketeering case against former City Council member Ed Burke, prosecutors say.

Chicago Sun-Times · Nov 2, 2023

How a Chicago airport was erased from the map 20 years ago

On March 31, 2003, bulldozers sent by Mayor Richard M. Daley destroyed the runway at Meigs Field. The move was seen then and now as an example of mayoral overreach.

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 31, 2023

Judge blocks ‘Chicago machine’ expert from testifying in trial of 4 accused of Madigan bribes

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber noted that “emphasizing the history of corruption and election fraud that marked the early years of the machine could prejudice defendants.”

Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 8, 2023

Greatest slips? Madigan’s ‘bandits’ remark could join list of ‘golden’ oldies caught spilling from pols’ loose lips

“Some of these guys have made out like bandits,” the former Illinois House Speaker was allegedly recorded saying of associates who benefited from what prosecutors describe as a scheme for jobs and contracts. He’s far from the first Chicago pol to trip over a federal wire.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 12, 2023

Challenging ballot petitions, a Chicago political tradition, may be on its way out

Objections to nominating petitions reach a 40-year low in this year’s municipal election cycle. “I think everybody was surprised at how few challenges there were,” said longtime Chicago election attorney Michael Dorf.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 11, 2023

City Council exodus is a chance to vote for Chicago’s future

The City Hall exodus needn’t be cause to panic. Chicago has experienced turnover before, and our city survived and emerged even stronger.

Chicago Sun-Times · Sep 10, 2022

Rubber stamp no more? City Council sheds reputation under Lightfoot, new report shows

From June 12, 2019 through March 23, 2022, Lightfoot survived 131 divided roll calls, according to the new study by the University of Illinois at Chicago. That’s compared to just 54 during the last of Richard M. Daley’s six terms and 67 divided roll calls during the first of Rahm…

Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 7, 2022

Dick Simpson’s latest book looks at democracy through a Chicago lens. He shares thoughts on corruption and making our democracy better.

CHICAGO — University of Illinois Chicago professor Dick Simpson has lived a life in Chicago’s political and academic spheres for more than 50 years: 44th Ward alderman from 1971-1979; executive board member of the Illinois Political Science Association, a former congressional candidate, political consultant, author and has served on transition…

Chicago Tribune · Apr 20, 2022