The Wisconsin Idea

What’s Up with the Koch Brothers and Criminal Justice Reform?

George Lavender

Feature

Who’s Afraid of Chicago’s Progressive Aldermen? Rahm Emanuel, That’s Who.

The Chicago mayor's super PAC has spent large amounts of money to protect his allies on City Council—and take down those who oppose him.

Yana Kunichoff

Protest Over Medical Services Sparks Prisoner Uprising At Controversial Private Prison in Texas

George Lavender

Feature

Do Chicago’s Mayoral Candidates Care About Queer and Trans Chicagoans?

Only one candidate has staked out a strong position in favor of LGBTQ rights—and it isn't Rahm Emanuel.

H. Melt

Labor

Union, Environmental Group Say Dozens of Nuclear Workers Suffering from Toxic Materials Exposure

Elizabeth Grossman

Feature

As Germany Stands Firm Against Attempts to Scale Back Austerity in Greece, What’s Next for Syriza?

Germany's unwillingness to budge on the strict cuts demanded of Greece are bad news for rolling back austerity throughout the rest of Europe.

Alexandros Orphanides

Feature

Chicago Police Tight-lipped About Use of License Plate Scanners, Despite $500,000 New Contract

A secretive contracting process—and limited responses to information requests—leave Chicagoans in the dark about how their license plate data is being collected and used.

Joel Handley

Feature

Just Taxing the 1 Percent as Much as We Tax the Poor Would Yield Billions for Cash-Strapped States

A new report shows that states and cities effectively tax the 1 percent at only 5.4 percent—half what they tax the poor (10.9 percent).

David Sirota

Labor

Protests Get Results: Walmart Announces It Will Give Workers a Raise

Shawn Gakhal