About Politics 101 with David Orr: A Good Government Illinois Podcast
David Orr, founder of Good Government Illinois and longtime elected official in Chicago, discusses a variety of political issues with guest stars. Originally under Good Government Illinois, this podcast series is now part of the Reform for Illinois family.
Politics 101 with David Orr: Inspector General Deborah Witzburg (again!)
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg discusses City Hall's obstructive practices and the brick walls slowing ethics reform in Chicago with David Orr and Alisa Hauser in an interview.
5 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioner Cam Davis
In our latest Politics 101 episode, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioner Cameron "Cam" Davis joins David and Alisa to discuss MWRD's vital role in protecting the environment, how federal funding cuts could affect public health, his experience as President Obama's "Great Lakes Czar," and more.
Episode notes:
MWRD video that David mentioned: How Chicago Cleans 1.4 Billion Gallons Of Wastewater Every Day | Deep Cleaned | Insider (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4l-4ehUqhc)
Cam Davis's website (https://camdavis.org/)
MWRD website (https://mwrd.org/)
13 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
Politics 101 with David Orr: Inspector General Deborah Witzburg
Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg is charged with enforcing ethics rules in the most famously corrupt city in America.
In our newest Politics 101 episode, she discusses her biggest challenges to strong ethics enforcement (it might not be what you think), why her office has done so many more investigations than her predecessors', the city's progress on police reform, and what the Supreme Court's ruling weakening federal corruption laws might mean for Chicago and the state.
She also touches on every Chicagoan's favorite subject - that pesky parking meter deal - and why you should be even angrier about it than you were before.
21 Jun 2024TRANSCRIPT
Politics 101 with David Orr: Alderman Matt Martin & RFI's Alisa Kaplan
47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin Reform for Illinois' Executive Director Alisa Kaplan discuss the municipal public campaign finance ordinance introduced into city council and the importance of this reform on the inaugural episode of the new "Politics 101 with David Orr" (https://rss.com/podcasts/goodgovernmentillinois/), now part of the Reform for Illinois family.
10 Jun 2024TRANSCRIPT
A Conversation with Ari Berman
David Orr & RFI Executive Director, Alisa Kaplan are joined by journalist and voting rights expert Ari Berman for a timely conversation on threats to democracy and how to combat them.
4 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
Politics 101 with David Orr: Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky talks November Election and more!
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky discusses the Federal Budget, Medicaid, and more on the latest episode of Good Government Illinois' podcast, "Politics 101 with David Orr." (https://rss.com/podcasts/goodgovernmentillinois/)
9 Feb 2024TRANSCRIPT
Politics 101 with David Orr: Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele
Commissioner Samantha Steele discussed issues of ethics and efficiency at the Cook County Board of Review on the latest episode of Good Government Illinois' podcast, "Politics 101 with David Orr." (https://rss.com/podcasts/goodgovernmentillinois/)
19 Jan 2024TRANSCRIPT
Politics 101 with David Orr: Mayor Lori Lightfoot & Reform for Illinois' Alisa Kaplan
Mayor Lori Lightfoot & Alisa Kaplan join David to talk about Ald. Ed Burke, ethics reform, city council, and affordable housing.
28 Nov 2023
Remembering Harold Washington: A special edition of Politics 101 with LWC Chicago President, Jane Ruby
In a special edition of Good Government Illinois podcast "Politics 101 with David Orr" (https://rss.com/podcasts/goodgovernmentillinois/) with League of Women Voters Chicago (https://www.lwvchicago.org/), David will be in conversation with Jane Ruby, President of LWV Chicago.
In this episode, David and Jane discuss Harold Washington’s legacy, and viewers will get to hear some wonderful anecdotes from David about his friend and colleague.
13 Sept 2023
Politics 101 with David Orr: Alderpersons Michael Rodriguez and Scott Waguespack
Alderpersons Michael Rodriguez and Scott Waguespack join David to talk about the city's migrant situation, the push for a tipped worker minimum wage, and an update on affordable housing developments in the 22nd and 32nd wards.
12 Jun 2023
Utility Rate Hikes and Inside Baseball
David Orr and featured guest Abe Scarr, Director of Illinois PIRG, discuss the corruption, bad practices, and politics in the Illinois utilities industry, as well as how we got the current system.
3 May 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part Six with Ralph Martire
In the sixth episode on the 2023 Chicago municipal elections, David Orr discusses how Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson can optimize his budget with CTBA Executive Director and Arthur Rubloff Endowed Professor of Public Policy at Roosevelt University Ralph Martire.
22 Mar 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part Five with Alderwoman-Elect Jeylú Gutiérrez
In the fifth episode on the 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections, David Orr discusses a multitude of topics with featured guest Alderwoman-Elect Jeylú Gutiérrez.
12 Mar 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part Four with Delmarie Cobb and Dan Cohen
In the fourth episode focusing on the 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections, David Orr discusses the outcome of the first round of elections, as well as what to expect in the run-offs, with Political Consultants Delmarie Cobb and Dan Cohen.
1 Feb 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part Three with Dick Simpson
In the third episode focusing on the Chicago 2023 Municipal Elections, David Orr discusses the historical political context around the election with former Alderman, author, and UIC Professor Dick Simpson.
26 Jan 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part Two with Alderwoman Maria Hadden
In the second episode focusing on the 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections, David Orr discusses a variety of topics with special guest Alderwoman Maria Hadden.
12 Jan 2023
The 2023 Chicago Municipal Elections: Part One with Alderman Scott Waguespack
David Orr discusses the upcoming Chicago municipal elections with Alderman Scott Waguespack in the first part of a series focusing on the municipal elections.
8 Dec 2022
The Inaugural Episode: Featuring Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky
David Orr discusses a multitude of issues, including the new Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives, with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.
Inside a recent episode
Politics 101 with David Orr: Inspector General Deborah Witzburg (again!)
Published 21 Apr 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And the mayor's office by way of the law department, as you say, blocked blocked our access to those. And I think that's very troubling. I think the lack of cooperation and the resistance to transparency and accountability efforts is really what is what is of most interest and most concern about that about that story. Were you satisfied by the changes that the mayor's office made in its gift disclosure policy? I think that there are positive changes. That's how oversight should work. It should be that we identify a problem, raise a set of concerns and those concerns get addressed by policy change. […]
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