Kari Lydersen - In These Times

Meet Alex Han

In These Times is growing: We’re excited to announce that labor organizer and activist Alex Han has joined us as the new Executive Director.

Kari Lydersen is a Chicago-based journalist, author and assistant professor at Northwestern University, where she leads the investigative specialization at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. Her books include Mayor 1%: Rahm Emanuel and the Rise of Chicago’s 99%.

After a Stunning Election, the Future of Chicago Is Up for Grabs

Incumbent Mayor Lori Lightfoot is out and voters now face a choice between former public school teacher Brandon Johnson and corporate education reformer Paul Vallas.

LaborCover Story

The Case for Nationalizing the Railroads

Workers say now is the time to do the impossible.

Why Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Is Facing an Uphill Battle for Re-Election

Accusations of broken promises may spell a dim outlook for incumbent Lori Lightfoot, community organizers say.

Nurses in the U.S. Are Suffering "Moral Injury"

The pandemic and staffing crisis have left healthcare workers with invisible wounds.

As Illinois Coal Jobs Disappear, Some Are Looking to the Sun

While Illinois phases out coal, clean energy jobs hold promise—both for displaced coal workers, and those harmed by the fossil fuel economy.

In the Coal Mines, Workers Are Dying to Make a Living

Mining companies increasingly rely on cheaper contractors who face longer hours and higher risk of accidents.

Over Mayor Lightfoot’s Objections, Chicago Is Set to Finally Enact an Elected School Board

Despite some qualms with the legislation, public education advocates are cheering the embrace of school democracy over mayoral control.

Warehouse Workers Are on the Front Lines of the Covid Crisis. They're Worried They'll Be Passed Over for the Vaccine.

Low-wage warehouse workers, many of whom are temporary, are demanding access to the vaccine.

Hospital Food Workers and Janitors Are Stuck In a “Death Trap”

Overlooked workers are risking their lives to keep the healthcare system running. Now, they're fighting back.

These Blue-Collar Trump Supporters Think the Economy Is Great. Your Move, Democrats.

At Trump’s Milwaukee rally, supporters boasted that he’s ushered in an economic miracle. Democrats face the challenge of convincing them otherwise.

Why Are Chicago Teachers Striking Against Mayor Lori Lightfoot? They’ve Been “Lied To” Before.

Chicago Teachers Are Threatening To Strike Against New Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Here’s Why.

A Historic Election in Chicago Cracks the Machine

The old guard is on the way out, and a progressive future for the city is coming into focus.

Mayor 1% Rahm Emanuel Will Not Be Missed in Chicago

Emanuel will be remembered for his arrogance, impatience and disregard for regular Chicagoans.

In a Landslide Vote, the LA Times Just Unionized, Upending a Long Anti-Labor History

Opponents of School Privatization Are Very Worried About a New Law in Illinois. Here’s Why.

At the Bullfrog, Those Left Behind by the Global Economy Find Relief—and a Place to Talk Trump

In a Jamestown, N.Y., hotel and bar, down-and-out former factory workers seek solidarity and camaraderie—often expressed in shared rants about immigrants or liberals.

The Heroin Crisis We’ve Ignored

A compassion deficit afflicts Black and Latino users.

Chicago Window Workers Who Occupied Their Factory in 2008 Win New Bankruptcy Payout

Chicago Car Wash Workers: Owner Took Their Tips, Said They Were His

New Play Chronicles the Toll of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Workers

Railroad Work Is Getting More and More Dangerous. These Workers Want To Change That.

“It Is Right to Resist”: The Revolutionary Art of Pilsen’s Jose Guerrero

Yoopers Have Road Rage

Michiganders are up in arms about a proposed mining road

Union-backed Sue Sadlowski Garza Claims Win Over Rahm Emanuel Ally in Southeast Chicago (Updated)

Bernie Sanders Endorses Chuy Garcia, Calls Chicago Election a ‘Political Revolution’

With Chicago Tired of “Mayor 1%,” Chuy García Could Actually Win His Runoff with Rahm Emanuel

While money poured into the recent mayoral and aldermanic elections, voters showed that they are tired of business as usual.

Chicago Progressive Groups Aim to End Rahm Emanuel’s City Council Stranglehold

Two Chicago coalitions are working to elect progressive candidates in the 2015 elections—and build an enduring movement.

Remembering the Deadly Donora Smog

Chicago’s Cop Watchers

Youth stand up to police violence.

Rank-and-File Rail Workers Rebel Against Single-Person Crews

Chicago Movers Stage Groundbreaking Strike

Want To Take Back Chicago? Here’s How, Say Activists

Despite Promised Jobs, Desert Town Opposes Giant Copper Mine

Amara and Goliath

It's official: Rahm Emanuel has a challenger.

A Brief, Bikeable 150-Year History of Labor Uprisings

Deep Miner: ‘One Mistake and You’re Dead’

Shutting Down the (Closed) Schools to Prison Pipeline

Chicago’s Hidden Stop-and-Frisk

A lack of data makes police profiling difficult to prove in Chicago, but the arrest of two Latino outreach workers suggests it's alive and well.

Despite Community Pleas, Three Chicago Schools Slated for Privatization

Railroad Workers Unite in Chicago

Community Members, Including Former Chicago Bull, Unite To Save School From ‘Turnaround’

Chicagoland, Episode 5: Startups vs. Shootouts

The latest episode of the CNN miniseries ultimately lets Mayor Rahm Emanuel off the hook for Chicago's rifts.

The ACA Could Be the Death Knell for Chicago’s Public Mental Health Clinics

In 2012, Mayor Emanuel's budget forced half the city's public mental health clinics to close; now the remaining six are in danger, too.

Candlelight Vigil at Cook County Jail Shines Light on Chicago’s Mental Health Crisis

Taking the Gloves Off in Chicagoland

Even as it celebrates Chicago's 'toughness,' CNN's mini-series doesn't confront the real reasons behind the city's inequality.

Riding Herd Over Workers’ Rights?

Who’s Afraid of Rahm Emanuel?

Amara Enyia, who plans to run for mayor of Chicago in 2015, certainly isn’t.

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