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How Chicago gerrymanders local maps
From 'the lobster' to 'the pool noodle,' there’s no excuse for Chicago City Council’s tortured ward boundaries.
Apr 26
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Austin Berg
102
Brandon Johnson wants a ‘millionaires’ tax. Should Springfield pass one?
My debate on whether state lawmakers should seek to change the Illinois Constitution’s flat tax protection.
Apr 19
•
Austin Berg
58
1
May Day: Chicago could be home to nation's only major school shutdown May 1
The Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson are pushing to close Chicago Public Schools on May 1 for a "Day of Civic Action." No other big city…
Apr 12
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Austin Berg
86
2
3
How to bring professional excellence to the Chicago Police Department
Two landmark studies on the Chicago Police Department just dropped. Here’s what they revealed.
Apr 5
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Austin Berg
67
March 2026
The real reason Brandon Johnson fired his public safety leadership
Chicago policing is overly political, by design
Mar 29
•
Austin Berg
75
1
8
Chicago should stop waiting for Superman
Telling Brandon Johnson to act more responsibly is a losing battle. It’s past time for City Council to be the adult in the room.
Mar 22
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Austin Berg
97
What happened to Chicago’s Irish machine?
The cartoonishly corrupt dominance of local government by Irish politicians has ended. But key parts of that system endure.
Mar 15
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Austin Berg
97
7
Chicago votes: What do you have to lose?
Election Day is March 17. And powerful interests are watching.
Mar 8
•
Austin Berg
101
2
Chicago hit with 2 credit downgrades as Johnson secretly floats new borrowing plan
Chicago’s “pay later” political culture was on full display last week.
Mar 1
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Austin Berg
98
5
February 2026
Brandon Johnson on Chicago’s mayor dominating City Council: ‘That's working for me.’
The mayor's remarks speak to a major flaw in Chicago’s governance structure.
Feb 22
•
Austin Berg
73
The Chicago Teachers Union is toxic among Democrats
The results of the union’s transformation into a political machine speak for themselves.
Feb 15
•
Austin Berg
37
4
How Democrats can unlock $100M+ for Chicago education without tax hikes
Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he “would be crazy” to reject a new federal tax credit program. But Illinois leaders haven't committed.
Feb 8
•
Austin Berg
24
5
3
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