The Last Ward | Austin Berg

How Johnson’s ‘fair share’ budget hits the little guy harder than corporations

The mayor’s budget is designed to position him as the people’s champion ahead of election season. But his budget proposes taking more from regular Chicagoans than from any big business.

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5 takeaways from the report on allegations against Hilario Dominguez

The report’s findings don’t line up with claims Dominguez is cleared “in full.”

Oct 18 • Austin Berg

Why the allegations against Hilario Dominguez require independent investigation

The district’s sitting inspector general lacks independence from the interests supporting Dominguez for school board president.

Oct 11 • Austin Berg

Chicago has fewer limits on borrowing than any other big city

City Council voted last week to implement a modest new limit on borrowing. The mayor and his allies are attacking it.

Oct 4 • Austin Berg

Why voters should choose Chicago’s top attorney

Chicagoans abolished the elected city attorney’s office more than 100 years ago in an election one newspaper described as “barefaced trickery.” It’s…

Sep 27 • Austin Berg

158 Chicago schools have more empty desks than students

Chicago needs a plan for nearly 44,000 students who attend mostly empty buildings.

Sep 20 • Austin Berg

Brandon Johnson’s failing record on ethics reform

The mayor will announce his re-election campaign today. But his record on ethics reform is the weakest of any mayor since the end of the Daley era.

Sep 13 • Austin Berg

The Chicago Teachers Union is suing me

Here’s what you can do about it.

Sep 6 • Austin Berg

Guaranteed income isn’t the answer to Chicago poverty

Chicagoans took part in the largest test of no-strings cash in American history. The results are in.

Aug 30 • Austin Berg

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