Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Why Is Chicago So Expensive? The Local Politics Behind It
Why is Chicago getting so expensive? Nick Thompson sits down with Chicago small-business owner and First Ward alderwoman candidate Laura Yepz to unpack the rising cost of living, housing, taxes, small businesses and the local politics behind it.
Why is Chicago getting so expensive? In this episode of Eyes Wide Open, Nick Thompson sits down with Chicago small-business owner and First Ward alderwoman candidate Laura Yepz to discuss the rising cost of living, local politics, small-business struggles, housing, taxes, inflation, Chicago Public Schools, and what local government can actually do for residents.
Laura shares her experience running the Wicker Park Inn, supporting Chicago's small-business community, navigating COVID-era challenges, and deciding to run for alderwoman after becoming frustrated with the lack of local representation.
Nick and Laura also discuss why local politics matter, how Chicago residents are being squeezed by rising costs, why small businesses are struggling, the changing Chicago neighborhood landscape, the importance of elected school boards, work-life balance, AI and the future of work, and why people are increasingly questioning the traditional American Dream.
Topics discussed:
Chicago politics, Chicago cost of living, local government, alderman elections, First Ward Chicago, small businesses, housing affordability, rent increases, inflation, property taxes, Chicago Public Schools, jobs, AI and employment, community leadership, and the future of Chicago.
๐๏ธ Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson explores mental health, holistic wellness, culture, free speech, politics, and stigmatized societal issuesโall to help us show up in the world with our eyes wide open.
Chapters
0:00 - The Reality of Working Multiple Jobs Just to Exist
2:21 - Meet Laura Yepez: Small Business Owner and 1st Ward Candidate
5:36 - Why Small Businesses Rally: COVID Fallout & Lack of City Support
9:32 - The Rising Cost of Existing and Doing Business in Chicago
11:11 - What Does an Alderperson Actually Do for Your Community?
14:59 - Taking on an Incumbent: Why Local Representation Must Change
19:49 - Redefining Authentic Leadership Through Service and Mentorship
22:33 - The Modern Urban Affordability & Housing Crisis
26:00 - Property Taxes, Rent Hikes, and the New Elected School Board
33:26 - The Broken American Dream: Corporate Layoffs and Surviving the Squeeze
47:10 - Contrasting the 1st Ward Race: Advocacy, Identity, & Small Business Focus
54:50 - The Ground Game: Door-Knocking, Petitions, and Upcoming Election Deadlines
1:00:35 - Nick Thompson on Moving Past Reality TV & Staying Authentic
About Guest
Laura Yepez is a longtime Chicago resident, community advocate, 1st Ward Democratic Committeewoman, and the owner of the historic Wicker Park Inn for over 22 years. With a deep background in entrepreneurship, local chambers of commerce, and local school councils, she is running for 1st Ward Alderwoman to bring responsive, constituent-focused leadership and small-business advocacy to City Hall.
Our Mission: Eyes Wide Open is a space for honest communication. Our goal is to remove the stigmas around mental health, holistic lifestyles, culture, and free speech so you can show up as your authentic self with your eyes wide open. By having real conversations about difficult truths, we move toward collective healing.
Find Laura Yepez here:
Website: yepezforchicago.com
Facebook: facebook.com/yepezforchicago
Instagram: instagram.com/yepezforchicago_
TikTok: tiktok.com/@yepezforchicago
Stay at the Wicker Park Inn: wickerparkinn.com
Find Nick Thompson here:
Nick Instagram: instagram.com/nthompson513
UCAN Instagram: instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation
YouTube: youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13
UCAN Foundation: theucanfoundation.org
Website: engagewithnick.com
Related keywords: Chicago cost of living,Chicago politics,Chicago local politics,Chicago small businesses,Chicago affordability,Chicago housing costs,Chicago rent prices,Chicago inflation,Chicago alderman,Chicago First Ward,Chicago local government,Chicago property taxes,inflation and housing,small business crisis,why everything is so expensive,housing crisis,local government explained,American dream,future of work,AI and jobs,small business owners,Chicago neighborhoods,Chicago small business,Chicago housing,Chicago rent,Chicago election,Chicago Public Schools,cost of living crisis,AI jobs,Nick Thompson,Eyes Wide Open,
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Related Hashtags: #Chicago #ChicagoPolitics #CostOfLiving
Why Is Chicago So Expensive? The Local Politics Behind It
Why is Chicago getting so expensive? Nick Thompson sits down with Chicago small-business owner and First Ward alderwoman candidate Laura Yepz to unpack the rising cost of living, housing, taxes, small businesses and the local politics behind it.
Why is Chicago getting so expensive? In this episode of Eyes Wide Open, Nick Thompson sits down with Chicago small-business owner and First Ward alderwoman candidate Laura Yepz to discuss the rising cost of living, local politics, small-business struggles, housing, taxes, inflation, Chicago Public Schools, and what local government can actually do for residents.
Laura shares her experience running the Wicker Park Inn, supporting Chicago's small-business community, navigating COVID-era challenges, and deciding to run for alderwoman after becoming frustrated with the lack of local representation.
Nick and Laura also discuss why local politics matter, how Chicago residents are being squeezed by rising costs, why small businesses are struggling, the changing Chicago neighborhood landscape, the importance of elected school boards, work-life balance, AI and the future of work, and why people are increasingly questioning the traditional American Dream.
Topics discussed:
Chicago politics, Chicago cost of living, local government, alderman elections, First Ward Chicago, small businesses, housing affordability, rent increases, inflation, property taxes, Chicago Public Schools, jobs, AI and employment, community leadership, and the future of Chicago.
๐๏ธ Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson explores mental health, holistic wellness, culture, free speech, politics, and stigmatized societal issuesโall to help us show up in the world with our eyes wide open.
Chapters
0:00 - The Reality of Working Multiple Jobs Just to Exist
2:21 - Meet Laura Yepez: Small Business Owner and 1st Ward Candidate
5:36 - Why Small Businesses Rally: COVID Fallout & Lack of City Support
9:32 - The Rising Cost of Existing and Doing Business in Chicago
11:11 - What Does an Alderperson Actually Do for Your Community?
14:59 - Taking on an Incumbent: Why Local Representation Must Change
19:49 - Redefining Authentic Leadership Through Service and Mentorship
22:33 - The Modern Urban Affordability & Housing Crisis
26:00 - Property Taxes, Rent Hikes, and the New Elected School Board
33:26 - The Broken American Dream: Corporate Layoffs and Surviving the Squeeze
47:10 - Contrasting the 1st Ward Race: Advocacy, Identity, & Small Business Focus
54:50 - The Ground Game: Door-Knocking, Petitions, and Upcoming Election Deadlines
1:00:35 - Nick Thompson on Moving Past Reality TV & Staying Authentic
About Guest
Laura Yepez is a longtime Chicago resident, community advocate, 1st Ward Democratic Committeewoman, and the owner of the historic Wicker Park Inn for over 22 years. With a deep background in entrepreneurship, local chambers of commerce, and local school councils, she is running for 1st Ward Alderwoman to bring responsive, constituent-focused leadership and small-business advocacy to City Hall.
Our Mission: Eyes Wide Open is a space for honest communication. Our goal is to remove the stigmas around mental health, holistic lifestyles, culture, and free speech so you can show up as your authentic self with your eyes wide open. By having real conversations about difficult truths, we move toward collective healing.
Find Laura Yepez here:
Website: yepezforchicago.com
Facebook: facebook.com/yepezforchicago
Instagram: instagram.com/yepezforchicago_
TikTok: tiktok.com/@yepezforchicago
Stay at the Wicker Park Inn: wickerparkinn.com
Find Nick Thompson here:
Nick Instagram: instagram.com/nthompson513
UCAN Instagram: instagram.com/the_ucan_foundation
YouTube: youtube.com/@EyesWideOpenContent
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nickthompson13
UCAN Foundation: theucanfoundation.org
Website: engagewithnick.com
Related keywords: Chicago cost of living,Chicago politics,Chicago local politics,Chicago small businesses,Chicago affordability,Chicago housing costs,Chicago rent prices,Chicago inflation,Chicago alderman,Chicago First Ward,Chicago local government,Chicago property taxes,inflation and housing,small business crisis,why everything is so expensive,housing crisis,local government explained,American dream,future of work,AI and jobs,small business owners,Chicago neighborhoods,Chicago small business,Chicago housing,Chicago rent,Chicago election,Chicago Public Schools,cost of living crisis,AI jobs,Nick Thompson,Eyes Wide Open,
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Related Hashtags: #Chicago #ChicagoPolitics #CostOfLiving
