Recent scandals involve economic development programs in New Jersey and Maryland highlight their many flaws, including a lack of oversight and their ineffectiveness.\
Perspectives
More Americans are suing over gerrymandered state maps – but the Supreme Court is not likely to step in
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The US public is more aware than ever of partisan gerrymandering, and they’re pushing local governments to make reforms.
Government and Politics
Police in Illinois will permanently have to record race, other traffic stop data in new bill
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The Illinois Traffic Stop Study — launched 15 years ago under legislation sponsored by then-State Sen. Barack Obama — would have ended on June 30.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
It’s time to reopen Chicago’s closed mental health clinics
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As officials revisit one of Rahm Emanuel’s most controversial policies, providers have different ideas for how to restore care to the many patients who have fallen through the cracks.
Chicago Election 2019
Money, money, money: 13 takeaways from Chicago’s historic election
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Dollar for dollar, Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot spent less than half as much as Toni Preckwinkle to clinch her landslide victory.
Perspectives
The case for African American reparations, explained
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Thanks to demographic and political changes, Democratic contenders are addressing this issue for the first time.
Chicago Election 2019
What do we do with all those campaign signs? Young Chicago artists have an answer
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The city normally removes campaign signs from public property, but otherwise they become eye sores that residents have to clean up themselves.
Chicago Election 2019
A changing political ‘machine’ bares itself in Englewood rematch
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The little-followed 16th Ward race highlights the shifting influence of ward committeemen, a position long known to drive patronage and corruption in Chicago politics.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
A new Chicago Way? Lightfoot and progressives poised to change the city’s direction
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The watershed mayoral election ushers in a new political landscape, setting the stage for a crop of young activists joining the City Council.
Chicago Election 2019
Latinx voters could determine the next mayor of Chicago, if they show up
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Both the Lightfoot and Preckwinkle campaigns are courting Latinx voters, who have historically voted along identity politics in recent Chicago elections.
Perspectives
Will Chicago’s mayoral runoff signal the end of the ‘rainbow’ coalition?
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With a black mayor at the helm once again, it remains to be seen whether a Harold Washington-style African-American and Latino coalition can emerge to fight for socioeconomic and political parity with whites in Chicago.