Chicago desperately needs more transparency and accountability, and letting the mayor hand-pick City Council replacements just reinforces the old-school machine politics we should be moving away from. A city charter with real checks and balances would make sure communities actually have a say in who represents them, instead of just getting another rubber stamp for the mayor’s agenda. If we want a government that truly works for the people, we have to start by breaking down these undemocratic power grabs.