The Last Ward is where power is brokered, deals are cut, and Chicago’s future is decided. Published by the Chicago Policy Center.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 70 | Founded | 2 years ago | Last Issue | 5 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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thelastward.orgLatest Issues
The Chicago Teachers Union is suing me
On Aug. 17, the Chicago Teachers Union filed a lawsuit naming me and two co-defendants, alleging defamation.1
You can read it here.
Below are three thoughts in response, and two things you can do about it.
- This lawsuit is an obvious...
Guaranteed income isn’t the answer to Chicago poverty
Guaranteed income programs are all the rage in Chicagoland.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent more than $30 million sending $500 a month to 5,000 Chicago households. In 2025, Cook County became the first county-level government in the nation to m...
My brief encounter with Mike Madigan
For decades, Springfield insiders told the same joke about House Speaker Mike Madigan.
“There’s only two ways he’ll leave office: In handcuffs or a casket.”
Indeed, Madigan held the speakership for 36 years. He held his seat as a state re...
Chicago city government needs more budget brains
Chicago city government is seeing an exodus of financial talent.
City budget director Annette Guzman announced her resignation earlier this month. That followed resignations earlier this summer from the city’s CFO and deputy CFO.1
It’s co...
Why Brandon Johnson’s school board is going broke on purpose
The Chicago Board of Education this week voted to pass a budget the district’s own CEO and CFO said was unbalanced.
Why?
The roll call offers a clue.
Of the eight members who voted against the budget or abstained, all were seated via co...
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
Executive Director of the Chicago Policy Center | Co-founder and President of Iron Light (2025 Campaigns & Elections Public Affairs Firm of the Year) | Co-author of “The New Chicago Way: Lessons from Other Big Cities"
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