How Does Chicago FIXIT Work? Format, Rules and Procedures.
by Steve Sewall. (Continued from our “New Chicago Way” post.)
For those who want some details: Chicago FIXIT is modeled on voter-driven reality TV contests like American Idol, it creates and manages a rule-governed, problem-solving level playing field for City Hall and Chicagoans, including the at-risk children whose experience of violence is key to solving it.
FIXIT is as exciting and fun to watch as anything you see on TV. Tuning in, you see amazing small teams of talented, telegenic Chicago problem solvers of all ages, races and backgrounds (16 teams in Phase 3 of the above graphic) competing and cooperating in season-long contests to develop best solutions to violence, large and small, that earn the respect of Chicagoans and City Hall.
The astonishing creativity, cooperation and competence of these teams informs, inspires and motivates Chicagoans to solve violence.
Team presentations are rigorously vetted by panels of experts, politicians, journalists and citizens. Weekly viewer votes select winning solutions, with the winner presented to Chicago’s mayor for possible implementation.
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Chicago celebrates!
FIXIT earns citywide respect and trust with a rule structure modeled on the respected three-level rule structure of pro sports telecasts.
Its rule structure features 1) rules and referees for team competitions, 2) remote umpire decisions of infractions based on instant replay and fact checking and 3) ongoing rule commentary of expert FIXIT hosts.
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- Here’s a detailed account of FIXIT.
- Our Chicago FIXIT Information Page goes even deeper into the FIXIT concept.
- Let’s talk! Email Steve at sewall2020@comcast.net.
Steve Sewall, Ph.D., is a Chicago educator, media entrepreneur and Director of Chicago Civic Media.
