Wicker Park Hotel Battle: A Case Study In Clout

Wicker Park Hotel Battle: A Case Study In Clout

Who has more clout over zoning in the 32nd Ward: Alderman Scott Waguespack or zoning lawyer James Banks? Ordinarily the alderman would be the obvious favorite, thanks to the City Council tradition known as aldermanic prerogative. But Banks is no ordinary zoning lawyer--he's the nephew of 36th Ward alderman William Banks, chair of the zoning committee, and for years has successfully represented developers who come before the council looking for help pushing their projects through.

Waguespack, on the other hand, is a rookie alderman already on the outs with Mayor Daley for his independent streak.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot