Perspective: How Chicago’s new democratic socialist city council members can change the city’s politics
Voters cast their ballots in downtown Chicago on April 2. By Miles Kampf-Lassin Miles Kampf-Lassin is a political writer and the web editor at In These Times magazine. April 4 Chicago voters made history Tuesday night — in more ways than one.
As the Chicago Sun-Times recently reported, these victories will mark the most socialists elected to office in Chicago in more than a century. Once they take their seats, these new members are poised to have a dramatic impact on the city’s political future.Mayor Rahm Emanuel held an iron grip over city government during his eight years in office, with the vast majority of aldermen serving as a rubber stamp for his corporate-friendly agenda.
That socialist caucus will be able to push for policies that social movements have demanded for years without much success. It will be backed by the local grass-roots organizations and unions that helped get its members elected, including United Working Families, the People’s Lobby and the militant Chicago Teachers Union.
When it comes to Chicago’s finances, an issue that will be paramount for a city in economic turmoil, the newly elected socialists are very clear on their plan: Tax the rich. Policies such as a tax on financial transactions, a corporate head tax and reforming the city’s tax increment financing program to benefit poor communities of color will be front and center as the new caucus is seated.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Latino aldermen make history on Chicago City CouncilChicago elected a record number of Latinos to serve as aldermen in its new City Council. Latinos will now hold 11 of 50 alderman seats, composing 22% of the council. - NBCLatino
Read more »
Analysis | Has the Green New Deal changed Republican politics on climate change?A handful of GOP lawmakers are acknowledging that climate change is real and man-made. Some are even proposing solutions.
Read more »
Newly elected Chicago mayor: Victory means 'a city reborn'CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot's resounding victory was a clear call for change at City Hall and a historic repudiation of the old-style, insider politics that have long defined the nation's third-largest city.
Read more »
Chicago becomes first big American city to achieve carbon-neutral investment portfolioChicago has become the first major U.S. city to achieve a carbon-neutral portfolio, blazing the trail for other local governments as sustainable investing picks up steam. “It’s our goal to be the tip of the spear,” said the city treasurer, Kurt Summers.
Read more »
Chicago voters make history, electing Lori Lightfoot as the city’s first black female mayor, AP projectsVoters in the country’s third-biggest city selected Lori Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor, over Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, in a mayoral runoff election.
Read more »
Chicago police demand resignation of city's top prosecutor after Jussie Smollett caseChicago's police union has demanded the resignation of Cook County State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx after prosecutors dropped 16 felony counts against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett.
Read more »
Chicago plans to sue Jussie Smollett after it says he refuses to reimburse city $130,000The city of Chicago is drafting a lawsuit saying 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett has refused to pay more than $130,000 to reimburse costs of investigating what authorities say was a staged racist, anti-gay attack.
Read more »
Jussie Smollett case: City of Chicago to sue actor over alleged hoax attackThe city of Chicago will sue “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett to claw back more than $130,000 to cover overtime costs of investigating what authorities say was a staged racist, homophobic attack, the city’s law department announced Thursday.
Read more »