Jonathan Wolf joins to discuss the nonprofit organization We Go For The People, its purpose, goals, and the importance of community engagement in local politics. We explore the four pillars of the organization, upcoming city council meetings, and the significance of transparency and accountability in government. The discussion emphasizes the need for civic participation and building relationships with elected officials to foster a collaborative environment in West Chicago.

00:00 Introduction to We Go For The People

02:58 The Purpose and Goals of We Go For The People

06:07 The Four Pillars of We Go For The People

09:04 Community Engagement and Local Politics

11:58 Upcoming City Council Meeting and Assembly

14:55 The Rogue City Council Agenda

17:49 Building Relationships with Elected Officials

21:06 Ways to Get Involved

24:02 Conclusion and Call to Action

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Carlos es ahora uno de los cuatro hispanohablantes del Ayuntamiento de West Chicago, una primicia histórica para la ciudad.

En este episodio, habla de su campaña de 2025 y su método para llamar a todas las puertas en el Distrito 6. (Se le acabaron los folletos muy rápido.) Carlos también describe cómo ve su papel - como un puente desde el pueblo, hasta el alcalde.

A continuación, Carlos explica lo que ocurrió tras la toma de posesión del nuevo alcalde y los nuevos concejales el 5 de mayo, en una polémica reunión de tres horas y media que no llegó a resolverse.

PÓNGASE EN CONTACTO CON SUS CONCEJALES ESTE FIN DE SEMANA. Cada uno de los concejales heredados necesita saber si esperas o no que la nueva administración pueda nombrar un administrador municipal, un abogado municipal y un jefe de policía (como se indica claramente en la descripción de las funciones del alcalde en el sitio web de la ciudad: «Nombrar y destituir, con el asesoramiento y consentimiento del Consejo, al administrador municipal, al jefe de policía y al abogado de la corporación").

MAPA DEL DISTRITO: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022WARD_NEW_FINAL..pdf

INFORMACIÓN DE CONTACTO DEL AYUNTAMIENTO: https://westchicago.org/elected-officials/#citycouncil

Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com

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Carlos is now one of 4 Spanish speakers on the West Chicago City Council—a historic first for the city.

In this episode, he discusses his 2025 campaign and his method for knocking on every door in Ward 6. (He ran out of pamphlets really fast.) Carlos also describes how he sees his role—as a bridge from the people, to the mayor.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ALDERMEN THIS WEEKEND. Every one of the legacy aldermen need to hear whether or not you expect the new administration to be able to appoint a city administrator, city attorney, and police chief (as clearly outlined under the description of the Mayor's duties on the city website: "To appoint and remove, with the advice and consent of the Council, the City Administrator, the Chief of Police and the corporation counsel.")

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Episode Summary:

Interim city attorney Jeff Jacobson breaks down the dramatic power struggle unfolding at West Chicago City Hall. After an overwhelming response to Episode 1, the podcast dives deeper into the controversy surrounding the city administrator and attorney positions—and what happens when public officials refuse to step down after an election.

Jeff Jacobson, Mayor Bovey’s appointee, provides legal insight into expired contracts, ethical expectations, and the laws that govern administrative appointments in Illinois municipalities. With references to case law and municipal codes, this episode offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of small-city government—and the legal battles that can ensue when leadership changes hands.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why city administrator Michael Guttman and former attorney Patrick Bond are refusing to vacate their roles—and why that may be illegal.
• The significance of the Illinois statute limiting contract lengths to the term of a sitting mayor.
• What the “advice and consent” process really means, and how it’s being misunderstood or misused.
• The case law behind the current situation (including Village of Westmont v. Lenahan).
• Why this could be the first time such a legal standoff reaches an Illinois courtroom.
• What legal outcomes could mean for taxpayers and the future of City Hall.
• How transparency, watchdogs, and public engagement are reshaping local politics.

Key Legal Takeaways from Jeff Jacobson:

• Contracts for key municipal officers like administrators and attorneys expire with the outgoing mayor unless reappointed.
• A city council cannot unilaterally re-appoint such positions without mayoral nomination.
• Previous contract clauses attempting to auto-renew for multiple terms are invalid under state law.
• A court case is likely the only resolution, marking an unprecedented moment for West Chicago.

Resources & References:

• Village of Westmont v. Lenahan, 235 Ill. Dec. 318
• Illinois Municipal Code regarding appointment limits tied to mayoral terms
• West Chicago City Ordinances (available via city website)

Disclaimer: This podcast is an independent journalism project and is not affiliated with the City of West Chicago or any official entity.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to 60185 on your favorite podcast platform for updates as this story unfolds.

📬 Got a question or tip? Reach us at laura.e.finch@gmail.com.

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Last night the new mayor and incoming city council members were sworn in at 7pm—but the council meeting didn't finish until 10:30pm, and even then with no resolution. We explain why—and why the office of city administrator is so important.

WARD MAP: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://westchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2022WARD_NEW_FINAL..pdf

CITY COUNCIL CONTACT INFO (has not been updated as of May 7): https://westchicago.org/elected-officials/#citycouncil

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