Is Chicago’s City Council set up to best serve its residents? The “strong mayor” form of government has its pros and cons, but what could a better system look like? We kick off our Re-imagine Chicago series diving into the powers of two engines that make Chicago run: the mayor and the aldermen.

GUESTS: Dick Simpson, professor of political science at the University of Illinois at Chicago, former aldermen of the 44th ward (1971-1979)

Helen Shiller, former alderman of the 46th ward (1987-2011)

Will Howell, director of University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government at the Harris School of Public Policy.