The Last Ward

The Last Ward

Home
About

Pritzker’s pension problem, charter chatter, and an abundance agenda victory

This week’s happenings on three big issues in Chicago.
READ THE LATEST

Recent posts

View all
The Burnett seat and Chicago’s shameless tradition of hereditary rule
No other big American city has had more political dynasties than Chicago. Because no other big American city treats their mayor like a king.
 • 
Austin Berg
1
What Zohran Mamdani's victory teaches us about Chicago
Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary last week spurred an avalanche of political, aesthetic, and…
 • 
Austin Berg
6
An ‘Abundance’ agenda for Chicago
More housing. More transit. More power. Less waiting.
 • 
Austin Berg
6
Will JB Pritzker side with Brandon Johnson to worsen Chicago’s debt crisis?
Chicago is home to the most severe debt problem in the country. Illinois state lawmakers are about to worsen it. And Gov. JB Pritzker’s response will be…
 • 
Austin Berg
2
Why CORE’s re-election to lead the Chicago Teachers Union is a hollow victory
Under the leadership of President Stacy Davis Gates and Vice President Jackson Potter, the Chicago Teachers Union has become the city’s No.
 • 
Austin Berg
(Extremely Chicago accent) Pope Bob
We’re trying something a little different in this week’s edition of The Last Ward.
 • 
Austin Berg
New study shows why Chicagoans were right to reject ‘Bring Chicago Home’
A little over a year ago, Chicago became the first major city in the country to reject a “mansion tax” referendum at the ballot box.
 • 
Austin Berg
5
How Stacy Davis Gates made the Chicago Teachers Union toxic
The union saw an unprecedented drop in public support during Gates' first term as president.
 • 
Austin Berg
7
Be part of the solution
© 2025 Chicago Policy Center
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture