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Chicago’s $80M grocery tax grab, and how to stop it
City Council members are back from August recess with two big questions on the table for their Sept.
Sep 14
•
Austin Berg
56
5
With no city constitution, Chicago's mayor writes the rules
In a late Friday news dump, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the new alderman of the 27th Ward: Walter “Red” Burnett.
Sep 7
•
Austin Berg
and
Micky Horstman
108
10
August 2025
How Brandon Johnson lost his longest political battle
The Chicago Board of Education handed the mayor a stunning defeat.
Aug 31
•
Austin Berg
98
11
Disaster unionism and the Chicago Public Schools budget vote
Mayor Brandon Johnson and his chief political backer are working to create a crisis.
Aug 24
•
Austin Berg
70
2
Inside Brandon Johnson’s shakedown of Chicago Public Schools
The mayor and his allies want $175M from the schools and a big loan to pay for it. But they’ve been blocked at every turn by more responsible actors …
Aug 17
•
Austin Berg
93
1
Leaked video shows Brandon Johnson faced allegations of 'hiding' $8M in Chicago Teachers Union funds
“You think it’s worth me hiding $8 million from thousands of members? To put my own family at risk for that?"
Aug 10
•
Austin Berg
61
8
Pritzker to city: Drop dead
The governor just pummeled Chicago with more than $11 billion in new pension liabilities at the worst possible time. Residents deserve answers.
Aug 3
•
Austin Berg
54
26
July 2025
Leaked budget: Chicago Teachers Union plans to spend $4M on local races
The document outlines next year’s priorities for the top political spender in Chicago. But CTU money has become a double-edged sword.
Jul 27
•
Austin Berg
21
3
Pritzker’s pension problem, charter chatter, and an abundance agenda victory
This week’s happenings on three big issues in Chicago.
Jul 20
•
Austin Berg
29
3
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.
Jul 13
•
Austin Berg
32
1
June 2025
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…
Jun 29
•
Austin Berg
19
6
An ‘Abundance’ agenda for Chicago
More housing. More transit. More power. Less waiting.
Jun 22
•
Austin Berg
33
6
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