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%.

Viewpoint
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.
Labor
Nurses in the U.S. Are Suffering "Moral Injury"
The pandemic and staffing crisis have left healthcare workers with invisible wounds.
Labor
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.
LaborFeature
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.
Labor
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.
Labor
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.
Feature
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.
Dispatch
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.
Labor
Why Are Chicago Teachers Striking Against Mayor Lori Lightfoot? They’ve Been “Lied To” Before.
Labor
Chicago Teachers Are Threatening To Strike Against New Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Here’s Why.
Viewpoint
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.
Feature
Mayor 1% Rahm Emanuel Will Not Be Missed in Chicago
Emanuel will be remembered for his arrogance, impatience and disregard for regular Chicagoans.
Labor
In a Landslide Vote, the LA Times Just Unionized, Upending a Long Anti-Labor History
Labor
Opponents of School Privatization Are Very Worried About a New Law in Illinois. Here’s Why.
Culture
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.
Feature
The Heroin Crisis We’ve Ignored
A compassion deficit afflicts Black and Latino users.
Labor
Chicago Window Workers Who Occupied Their Factory in 2008 Win New Bankruptcy Payout
Labor
Chicago Car Wash Workers: Owner Took Their Tips, Said They Were His
Labor
New Play Chronicles the Toll of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Workers
Labor
Railroad Work Is Getting More and More Dangerous. These Workers Want To Change That.
Labor
“It Is Right to Resist”: The Revolutionary Art of Pilsen’s Jose Guerrero
Dispatch
Yoopers Have Road Rage
Michiganders are up in arms about a proposed mining road
Labor
Union-backed Sue Sadlowski Garza Claims Win Over Rahm Emanuel Ally in Southeast Chicago (Updated)
Labor
Bernie Sanders Endorses Chuy Garcia, Calls Chicago Election a ‘Political Revolution’
Feature
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.
Feature
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.
Labor
Remembering the Deadly Donora Smog
Dispatch
Chicago’s Cop Watchers
Youth stand up to police violence.
Labor
Rank-and-File Rail Workers Rebel Against Single-Person Crews
Labor
Chicago Movers Stage Groundbreaking Strike
Labor
Want To Take Back Chicago? Here’s How, Say Activists
Labor
Despite Promised Jobs, Desert Town Opposes Giant Copper Mine
Feature
Amara and Goliath
It's official: Rahm Emanuel has a challenger.
Labor
A Brief, Bikeable 150-Year History of Labor Uprisings
Labor
Deep Miner: ‘One Mistake and You’re Dead’
Labor
Shutting Down the (Closed) Schools to Prison Pipeline
Feature
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.
Labor
Despite Community Pleas, Three Chicago Schools Slated for Privatization
Labor
Railroad Workers Unite in Chicago
Labor
Community Members, Including Former Chicago Bull, Unite To Save School From ‘Turnaround’
Feature
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.
Feature
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.
Labor
Candlelight Vigil at Cook County Jail Shines Light on Chicago’s Mental Health Crisis
Feature
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.
Labor
Riding Herd Over Workers’ Rights?
Feature
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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