The Last Ward

The truth about TIFs: Chicago’s secret property tax hikes

How financial shell games and a loophole in state law denies Chicagoans the power to vote on their property tax bills.

Dec 14 • Austin Berg

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How to hate Chicago’s parking meter deal for the right reasons

Last week marked the 17th anniversary of the parking meter deal, but Chicagoans haven't learned the proper lessons from the city's most infamous…

Dec 7 • Austin Berg

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November 2025

Remembering Chicago’s greatest Thanksgiving

Lessons from a manmade catastrophe.

Nov 30 • Austin Berg

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Everything you need to know about the Chicago Teachers Union's audits scandal

Local teachers' fight for transparency has finally reached Congress.

Nov 23 • Austin Berg

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Why Chicago’s city treasurer is a waste of an elected office

Chicagoans vote for just three citywide officials. All of them should matter.

Nov 16 • Austin Berg

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Johnson's budget ignores $1B in potential savings, here's what City Council should do about it

When it comes to the city budget, Chicago City Council has never been in the driver’s seat.

Nov 9 • Austin Berg

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Is Brandon Johnson's head tax already dead?

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has pitched several major tax increases since his election in 2023.

Nov 2 • Austin Berg

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October 2025

Everything you need to know about Brandon Johnson’s ‘head tax’ proposal

In 1944, a curious new plant appeared in Hyde Park.

Oct 26 • Austin Berg

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Harvey tips the first domino in Illinois’ municipal debt crisis

While cameras focused on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget speech last week, a quieter but more consequential story unfolded just 25 miles south of…

Oct 19 • Austin Berg

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Operation Midway Blitz and the dangers of belligerence

Midway Airport is home to a special plane.

Oct 12 • Austin Berg

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September 2025

How Illinois suppresses voter turnout in Chicago and beyond

My testimony at the House Ethics and Elections Committee.

Sep 28 • Austin Berg

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Chicago gets a taste of insolvency

Chicago's firefighter pension fund needed emergency lending to cut checks to retirees.

Sep 21 • Austin Berg

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