About Mechanics
Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. Our Latin slogan you see on the banner, Dubitando ad veritatem venimus, means "Through skepticism, we arrive at truth." Truth is much more fun than spin.
Mike Ewing, Managing Editor, Politics Editor - Mechanics
Mike moved to Chicago from Wisconsin to teach nonprofits the secrets of the Internet. When he's not chasing down stories, blogging or tweeting he likes to seek out good tunes and good brews in the Wicker Park area.
Staff
Emily Brosious
Emily Brosious is a writer, multimedia journalist, and proud lifelong Chicagoan. When not busy muckraking, blogging and tweeting about local politics and social justice, she can be found making mixed media art and playing with her Boston Terrier, Harriet.
Phil Huckelberry
Phil Huckelberry is a former chair of the Illinois Green Party and well-versed in the ancient, mystical arts of the Illinois Election Code. He lives on the Northwest Side with his wife Michelle, son Dylan, and old, old beagle Murray.
Andrew Huff, Editor & Publisher
Andrew works deep into the night at his West Ridge two-flat, writing and editing and playing with the cats. He spends more time online than is healthy; follow along at me3dia.com. Email him at ah@gapersblock.com.
Becky Schultz
Becky Schultz was born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago. After a short stint in Minneapolis, she's happily returned to her hometown. You can find her working at her startup marketing job in the loop by day and writing/drinking Daisy Cutter in Andersonville by night. She updates her blog, Beside The Point, whenever she feels like it and makes jokes/live-tweets The Bachelorette on Twitter.
Contributors
Ramsin Canon
Ramsin Canon works and lives in Chicago. He has worked in and written about local and state politics for the last six years, and currently writes about the big issues at RamsinCanon.com. Ramsin wrote GB's political column Revenge of the Second City from 2003 to 2008, and Bears in Five for the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Email him at rc@gapersblock.com.
Jason Prechtel
From his humble beginnings in early 2012 as a theater critic, Jason gradually shifted his lens to the grand travesty that is Chicago politics. Since then, his work has been cited in the Huffington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicagoist, and WBEZ's The Afternoon Shift, and has led to appearances on WTTW's Chicago Tonight and Vocalo.org's The Morning AMp, as well as his 2013 Peter Lisagor Award nomination for "Best Individual Blog Post, Independent." You can find him on Twitter and his personal blog.
Monica Reida
Monica Reida was born in California and grew up in Arizona and Iowa, but calls Chicago home. She can usually be found drinking tea and reading a book on public policy or health care. She tweets at @monicareida and writes about various topics on Fragments.
Jeffrey Paul Smith
Jeff, a Chicago native and Harvard law grad, is a veteran activist, organizer, and former Democratic committeeman for the lakefront 9th District. Currently president of a community organization in Evanston, Jeff is known for political independence, passionate progressive advocacy, and tweaking conventional wisdom. He professes to have no life outside of policy wonkdom, but some whisper that he plays a half-decent rockabilly guitar and is involved in a tragic love affair with a certain North Side team.
