Mariah Woelfel covers city government at WBEZ. Before joining the City Hall beat in 2021, Mariah worked as a general assignment reporter and producer at the station, where she covered the creation of and start to Illinois’ multimillion dollar recreational cannabis industry, as well as the city and state’s healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to WBEZ, Mariah worked as a reporter, producer and All Things Considered host at WVIK, an NPR member station in western Illinois.
She grew up in Chicago and currently lives on the city’s West Side with her dog, Lola.
Mariah Woelfel
Reporter
Stories by Mariah Woelfel
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will no longer increase property taxes in her election year budget
After floating a 2.5% property tax increase last month, the mayor will not raise property taxes for the next fiscal year, WBEZ has learned.
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Aldermen vote to offer protections for people seeking abortions in Chicago
The ordinance prohibits the Chicago Police Department from carrying out search warrants or assisting in investigations related to other states’ laws restricting abortion.
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Progressive Chicago aldermen aim to protect abortion rights for out-of-state people and providers
A proposed ordinance up before a council committee Thursday would prohibit police and city employees from carrying out search warrants or help investigations of abortion providers and seekers.
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Can the Chicago Teachers Union take the mayor’s office?
As a CTU staffer mulls a mayoral run, and hopefuls vie for the union’s nod, questions swirl about the CTU’s ability to unseat Lori Lightfoot.
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Chicago aldermen embrace The Great Resignation
Nearly a fifth of Chicago aldermen elected in 2019 aren’t planning to run for reelection next year.
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants a dome over Soldier Field in hopes the Bears will stay in Chicago
The Bears say the only potential project they’re exploring for a new stadium is in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.
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Chicago speeders could still get $35 tickets after a City Council vote
In their last meeting before a summer break, Chicago aldermen rejected an effort to loosen the city’s speed camera program, and much more.
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Chicago aldermen set to vote on long-delayed ethics proposal
Despite criticism it doesn’t go far enough, an ethics proposal attempts to end the “I got a guy” mentality at City Hall.
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Mayoral ally tapped for CPS board, pushing out member against city’s plan for new Chinatown school
Former Ald. Michael Scott, the son of a former Chicago Public Schools board president, is being appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wants a special session to deal with overturning of Roe v. Wade
Abortion will remain legal in Illinois, but state leaders reacted swiftly to the Supreme Court’s decision Friday.
