Austin Berg: Zohran Mamdani just taught Chicago a lesson New York learned the hard way
Chicago voters may recognize Zohran Mamdani's agenda, but in New York, the whims and ideology of one leader are hemmed in by structure.
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Ed Bachrach and Austin Berg: Why does Chicago ignore good budgeting practices?
The annual Chicago city budget process is trite and predictable. It is also negligent and irresponsible in several important ways, failing to address the core problems of the city's finances....
Ed Bachrach and Austin Berg: Mapping mayhem a symptom of deeper dysfunction in Chicago
The contentious process to map 50 new wards for the Chicago City Council has come to an unsatisfying end. The fight was framed as a tug of war. Black aldermen...
Austin Berg: Amendment on fall ballot would do more than ban right-to-work. It would protect insider deals.
Forget a statue. A measure on Illinois ballots this November would commemorate recently indicted Michael Madigan's legacy with something far more consequential — writing some of his most unethical dealings...
Op-ed: Chicago used to have a city administrator. We could use one now.
One of the most common misconceptions among Chicago's civic leaders is that they live under a "weak mayor" system of government. The truth is that through formal and informal arrangements,...
Commentary: Con: A vote for the graduated income tax would give too much power to Springfield
Note: A referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot will ask Illinois voters if they want to amend the state constitution to allow for a graduated-rate income tax system in which...
Commentary: Chicago’s police union contract stands in the way of reform, better policing
Chicagoans are united in disgust at the murder of George Floyd. Peaceful protest is justified and its absence would be an outrage. The unanswered question: What can be done? "The...
Commentary: Let’s break the broken cycle: A long-term plan for using McCormick Place
The black box on the lake has been transformed. Rather than touting tourism numbers and trade show attendance, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this month delivered one...
Commentary: Chicago should study LA police reforms for ways to really lower the homicide count
Good news: Chicago homicides are down from the bloody peak of 762 in 2016. With a preliminary count of 492 in 2019, some officials are releasing a deep exhale. Compared...
Commentary: Democracy for CTU, but not for you: Chicago taxpayers should have a voice in costly union contracts
More than 90% of Chicago Teachers Union members voted to authorize a strike during negotiations this fall. They will vote again, strike or no strike, to ratify a final agreement....