Poverty

Three people in a parking lot outside a residential building look at and sign tenant union cards and materials.

In the US, Tenants Are Usually on Their Own. Can a New National Tenant Union Change That? In the US, Tenants Are Usually on Their Own. Can a New National Tenant Union Change That?

The Tenant Union Federation is fostering a wave of tenant leaders who have been pushed to the margins—many of them elderly, disabled, low-income—as they aim to transform renters i...

Dec 4, 2024 / Thomas Birmingham

Illinois Has Put an End to the Injustice of Cash Bail

Illinois Has Put an End to the Injustice of Cash Bail Illinois Has Put an End to the Injustice of Cash Bail

Amid a national backlash against criminal justice reform, Illinois has achieved something extraordinary. It’s working better than anyone expected.

Dec 2, 2024 / Feature / Bryce Covert

Dr. James Zogby participates in a panel discussion about the Muslim experience in America at the Washington National Cathedral on October 23, 2012, in Washington, DC.

Why I’m Running for Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee Why I’m Running for Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee

Party building begins from the bottom up. But in the fight to make the DNC more accountable, and to get dark money out of Democratic primaries, who is in office also matters.

Dec 2, 2024 / James Zogby

“What, we worry?

The Democrats Will Keep Losing Until They Solve Their Plutocracy Problem The Democrats Will Keep Losing Until They Solve Their Plutocracy Problem

The party’s habitual deference to big donors makes it impossible to effectively oppose Trumpism.

Nov 28, 2024 / Column / Jeet Heer

Liz Cheney, former US representative and daughter of Dick Cheney, greets Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during a rally at Ripon College on October 3, 2024, in Ripon, Wisconsin.

The Democrats Disregarded Poor and Low-Income Voters—to Their Peril The Democrats Disregarded Poor and Low-Income Voters—to Their Peril

Poverty is clearly anything but a marginal experience—and yet, as in the last election, it’s repeatedly minimalized and dismissed in our nation’s politics.

Nov 27, 2024 / Shailly Gupta Barnes and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis

Scott Bessent speaks at the National Conservative Conference in Washington, DC, July 10, 2024.

Only a Working-Class Party Can Challenge Donald Trump’s Corruption Only a Working-Class Party Can Challenge Donald Trump’s Corruption

GOP plutocracy thrives as long as Democrats remain beholden to Wall Street.

Nov 26, 2024 / Jeet Heer

Close-up of Gov. Pritzker with his left hand up in a fist.

When Does Power Concede? Thwarting MAGA Will Take More Than Protest and Symbolic Resistance. When Does Power Concede? Thwarting MAGA Will Take More Than Protest and Symbolic Resistance.

If we want to deploy actual power to block Trump’s vicious agenda once he takes control of the federal government, we will have to look to the states.

Nov 19, 2024 / Van Gosse

Climate Realism (Still) Means Climate Justice

Climate Realism (Still) Means Climate Justice Climate Realism (Still) Means Climate Justice

An interview with Tom Athanasiou on where climate geopolitics goes from here, and why unlocking trillions in climate finance is an “existential necessity.”

Nov 15, 2024 / Q&A / Wen Stephenson

Woman at a rally holds a sign that reads

Resisting Mass Deportation Under Donald Trump Resisting Mass Deportation Under Donald Trump

Here in Chicago, we’ve developed effective, grassroots strategies for defending our immigrant communities.

Nov 14, 2024 / Anthony J. Quezada and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during a primary night rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

Bernie Sanders Is Right: Democrats Have Abandoned the Working Class Bernie Sanders Is Right: Democrats Have Abandoned the Working Class

The party chased former Republicans and rich donors, while alienating the working-class majority.

Nov 11, 2024 / Jeet Heer

x