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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Most Chicago workers reported their vaccination status — but police and fire staff are lagging
The deadline for city workers to upload their vaccination status was Oct. 15, and those who won’t comply are being sent home.
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Chicago Ald. Jim Gardiner loses Democratic committee posts for ‘rude and vulgar’ behavior
The alderman has been accused of retaliating against constituents who opposed him and using demeaning and sexist language against colleagues.
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Flawed datasets have labeled more than 130,000 people as gang members. Soon they might be able to challenge it.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan would let the Police Board write appeal rules, but aldermen delayed a vote, saying details are lacking.
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‘Garbage juice’ leaking from city trucks is creating a stink in Albany Park
The smelly problem is due to a broken “plug” in the garbage trucks, officials say, and they’re working to replace them.
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Chicago has only 50,000 ash trees left. Should we spend millions to keep them alive?
The city stopped inoculating the trees against emerald ash borer in 2018, saying it’s better to replace them. Some activists are pushing to restart the program.
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Chicago workers could — for now — take a COVID-19 test instead of getting the vaccine
The Fraternal Order of Police has pushed back the loudest against the mandate, which still lacks final details and will kick in on Oct. 15.
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Chicago’s Proposed Budget Would Steer Millions Toward Homelessness, Trees And More
Lightfoot’s budget for many of these programs relies on short-term federal funding. Here’s what advocates think of some of those proposals.
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Lightfoot Proposes $16.7 Billion Budget With More Money For Police, No Major New Taxes
The mayor’s proposal relies on federal money to close a $733 million gap, and would increase police spending by 11%, send hundreds of millions toward social services, and contains no major property tax or fee increases.
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Sources Say Chicago Ald. Jim Gardiner Allegedly Tried To Pay Campaign Worker With Tax Dollars
The allegations are the latest against the Northwest Side alderman, who is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly withholding city services from opponents among other complaints.
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Embattled Chicago Ald. Jim Gardiner Makes Public Apology Over Misogynistic ‘Rants’
Gardiner made misogynistic comments about colleagues and residents in texts, and allegedly retaliated against opponents.
