Twenty-First Century Chicago

Twenty-First Century Chicago investigates the social, economic, political, and governmental conditions of Chicago in this century. The anthology features a unique emphasis on first-hand accounts: speeches by politicians, newspaper stories, editorials by journalists, memoirs and biographies, and little known research reports advocating change. Covering metropolitan Chicago as a whole, the volume underscores the city's efforts in recent years to establish itself as a global metropolitan region and highlights the most pressing issues Chicago faces in order to create a positive future in these challenging times.

The third edition features new readings that cover Lake Shore Drive and Chicago's infrastructure, the political majority swing from Republican to Democrat in DuPage County, Chicago climate change in relation to global environmental challenges, government corruption, lawsuits as they affect reform, the state of the City Council, and new reflections and assessments of metropolitan Chicago.

Twenty-First Century Chicago is an ideal resource for courses that explore the dynamic history and modern impact of this vibrant and influential city.

Dick Simpson holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University and is the author of numerous books, journal articles, book chapters, and documentary films on elections and urban politics. He is former alderman of the 44th Ward of Chicago (1971-1979) and led the opposition bloc in the Chicago City Council against Mayors Richard J. Daley and Michael Bilandic. Dr. Simpson is a professor of political science and the former head of the Political Science Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the author of The Good Fight: Life Lessons from a Chicago Progressive and author or coauthor of more than 20 books, including Winning Elections in the 21st Century, The Politics of Compassion and Transformation, and Rogues, Rebels, and Rubber Stamps.

Constance A. Mixon is an associate professor of political science and director of the urban studies program at Elmhurst College. She is also the president of the Illinois Political Science Association and previously served as a member of the faculty and the dean of instruction at City Colleges of Chicago. Dr. Mixon has received numerous teaching awards, including being named the Illinois Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2001. Dr. Mixon frequently provides political analysis and commentary for Chicago media outlets including the Sun-Times, WGN, NBC, and WYCC.

Melissa Mouritsen is an associate professor of political science at College of DuPage. Previously, she taught for four years as an adjunct professor of political science at Dominican University. She is a former alderman's assistant and building and zoning consultant. She most recently co-authored the chapter "The Election of Rahm Emanuel" in Local Politics and Mayoral Elections in the 21st Century: The Keys to City Hall (Routledge) and the report, Rahm Emanuel's Rubber Stamp City Council.