Q&A: What is a TIF, and why is everyone talking about it?

By Derek Robertson TIF – or tax increment financing – is maybe the most sometimes-controversial, sometimes-coveted, little-understood financing tool at the City of Chicago’s disposal. It’s also potentially more important than ever to the city, with the twin threats posed by a missing state budget and a likely decrease in federal funding on the horizon. There […]

Obama-endorsed alderman holds seat in special election

By Derek Robertson Alderman Sophia King of the 4th Ward won a special election for the office last Tuesday, her first appearance on the ballot since her appointment by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in April of last year. King received 63 percent of the vote, well above the threshold of 50 percent required to avoid a […]

U. of C. Students protest speech by Ex-Trump Aide

By Derek Robertson University of Chicago students recently protested a seminar featuring former Donald Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, stoking political divisions on campus. The UChicago Institute of Politics held the Wednesday event, which was closed to both the public and the press, at the university’s Quadrangle Club. The Washington Post’s Robert Costa hosted Lewandowski […]

Video: Ex-Trump manager greeted by protesters at University of Chicago

By Derek Robertson Roughly 100 students gathered outside the Quadrangle Club at the University of Chicago last Wednesday to protest the appearance of Corey Lewandowski, and ex-Trump aide, at a closed forum held by the university’s Institute of Politics. Students squared off with opposing views on the Institute’s decision to host Lewandowski, and the ramifications […]

‘We can’t take this sitting down’: a socialist group’s moment of resistance

By Derek Robertson Ryan Heaney lingered on the edge of the crowd at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial near the National Mall the morning after President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The first of over 500,000 marchers were streaming down Capitol Hill toward the Mall for the Women’s March on Washington, some of them preparing to protest […]

Photo Gallery: Scenes from the Socialists’ inauguration protests

By Derek Robertson During a weekend where over 600 members joined the longstanding left activist group, the Democratic Socialists of America made their mark on the protests surrounding the inauguration of Republican President Donald J. Trump. Read more: ‘We can’t take this sitting down’: a Socialist Group’s Moment of Resistance Socialist Feminism Makes its Mark […]

Socialist feminism makes its mark on the Women’s march on Washington

By Derek Robertson The Democratic Socialists of America brought a unique perspective on feminism along with their flyers and signs to the Women’s March on Washington. DSA members at the March were only a drop in the massive bucket of humanity. They converged on Washington and across the nation last weekend, but they proclaimed their mission […]

Quigley criticizes Trump’s relationship with Russia, defends Obamacare

By Derek Robertson Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) said Monday night that in light of an increasingly unpredictable political climate both at home and abroad his work on the House Intelligence Committee is more critical now than ever. Quigley didn’t mince words before 45th Ward Ald. John Arena and some of his constituents at the Filament Theatre in […]