Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Willie Wilson’s wild numbers
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Although he enjoys popularity among some black voters, the ‘anti-politician’ mayoral candidate’s proposals for Chicago don’t add up.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Lincoln Yards and the ‘lords’ of Chicago
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Despite widespread opposition and scandal with involved parties at City Hall, the project could still gain approval and cost taxpayers billions.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Can Pritzker, Foxx deliver on criminal justice reforms?
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Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx face challenges translating bold proposals made on the campaign trail into policy.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Will Toni Preckwinkle’s woes boost Susana Mendoza in mayoral race?
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The fallout from Ed Burke’s corruption scandal has affected two frontrunners with close ties to the alderman in surprisingly different ways.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
To preserve SRO’s as affordable housing, Chicago needs to step it up
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Recent efforts to preserve three single-room occupancy hotels in Uptown reveal the city’s lukewarm commitment to maintaining them as a safety net for low-income tenants.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
The mayoral housing forum that almost wasn’t
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The conversation on affordable housing in Chicago is changing, especially among mayoral candidates, but the realtors lobby still holds great sway.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Ald. Ed Burke represents the worst of Chicago’s white political machine
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In his treatment of Chicago’s first black mayor, Harold Washington, Burke presaged the vitriolic tactics of President Donald Trump.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Emanuel shores up downtown development on his way out
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By moving to finance the Lincoln Yards project and expand TIF, the lame-duck mayor cements his legacy of diverting tax dollars away from the pressing needs facing the city.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Young progressives of color take on the City Council establishment
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Aldermanic hopefuls like Colin Bird-Martinez aim to turn out new, young voters in their wards for Chicago’s upcoming municipal elections.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Now Pritzker needs to keep his progressive promises
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J.B. Pritzker won a resounding victory by outspending Gov. Bruce Rauner at every turn, downplaying ethical questions and racial tensions in his campaign, and presenting a clear alternative to Rauner’s failed incumbency. In a number of areas he took positions that were more progressive than the Democratic mainstream. But getting results on those promises will take lots of work on his part and even more organizing by activists. One key issue separated the two candidates: Pritzker was elected on a clear platform of implementing a progressive income tax, with higher rates for wealthier taxpayers. That’s an absolute necessity if Illinois is to get it’s fiscal house in order, meet its constitutional duty to fund schools adequately, and rebuild a safety net that Rauner decimated.