The Last Ward

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.

1 hr ago • 

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

31

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

38

Operation Midway Blitz and the dangers of belligerence

Midway Airport is home to a special plane.

Oct 12 • 

Austin Berg

31

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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

38

Chicago gets a taste of insolvency

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

Sep 21 • 

Austin Berg

37

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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

58

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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

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Micky Horstman

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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

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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

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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

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