The Last Ward

The Last Ward

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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 …
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Austin Berg
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?"
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Austin Berg
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.
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Austin Berg
25

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.
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Austin Berg
3
Pritzker’s pension problem, charter chatter, and an abundance agenda victory
This week’s happenings on three big issues in Chicago.
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Austin Berg
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.
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Austin Berg
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…
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Austin Berg
6
An ‘Abundance’ agenda for Chicago
More housing. More transit. More power. Less waiting.
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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…
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Austin Berg
2

May 2025

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.
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Austin Berg
(Extremely Chicago accent) Pope Bob
We’re trying something a little different in this week’s edition of The Last Ward.
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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.
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Austin Berg
5
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