The Spirit of the Union at the Field Museum
Workers at the Field Museum are building community, camaraderie, and power by organizing a union. Several workers share their stories and why they are joining the cultural worker unionization wave.
Chicago
Settler Colonialism in Chicago: A Living Atlas
The city of Chicago was built upon the settler colonial dispossession of Indigenous peoples and lands. That history of conflict, violence, and struggle continues into the present.
Union Victory at Howard Brown Health
After years of understaffing and poor compensation during multiple pandemics, strike-ready nurses at Howard Brown Health just won a huge victory. Howard Brown workers discuss their campaign and the significance of their struggle.
No Peaceful Mass in the Anti-Abortion Church
Two Chicago activists who recently disrupted a Catholic Mass explain why defending reproductive rights requires going on the offensive.
What is the “Israel Institute” Doing at the University of Chicago?
A new report exposes the “Israel Institute” as an extensive propaganda operation that gives cover to brutal Israeli state violence and capitalizes on the oppression of Palestinians in the service of the Israeli military and security industry.
CORE: The Rise and Resolve of CTU’s Fighting Caucus
The Caucus of Rank and File Educators emerged from a bitter battle against big business plans to destroy public education. By transforming the CTU into a fighting union, CORE teachers have led the struggle to create the schools all teachers and students deserve.
Chicago Should Divest from Weapons Manufacturers
Chicago pension funds are currently invested in massive weapons manufacturers. But community investments are not only better political options, they make more financial sense.
Take This Job and Shelve It!
A diary of worker organizing against COVID denial and disposability in a suburban public library, where bosses would rather prevaricate, pontificate, and condescend than admit how much depends on front-line staff.
How the Southeast Side Fought Environmental Racism—and Won
A major polluter was dead set on opening a metal shredding facility in the middle of a working class neighborhood on Chicago’s Southeast Side. It looked like a done deal until community resistance forced the city to prioritize people over profit.
“We are our future”: An Interview with Chi-RADS
Rampant talked with members of the radical youth group Chi-RADs about their recent walkout, their ongoing struggle, and their vision for Chicago’s schools and beyond.
We Need Roe and So Much More
With the legality of abortion hanging by a thread, we cannot accept lowered expectations. We need all our rights in every state.
Until Cases Decline, Class is Online
Lightfoot’s school lockout has been an embarrassing circus every step of the way, but the CTU is offering a responsible path forward to keep kids safe, argues a Chicago teacher.
Chicago’s Public School Lockout
As a Chicago Public School parent, I fully support the teachers fighting to protect our communities during the Omicron surge.
Boeing Kills with Chicago Bills
For twenty years, Chicago has made Boeing rich by destroying working communities. This year, Chicago has a chance to end the deal with the war profiteer.
Intifada at the Art Institute
The first Palestinian exhibit at Chicago’s Art Institue offers a portal into another world and presents an unnerving, urgent call to resistance.
Chicago’s Houselessness Is Entirely Avoidable
While Chicago’s housing market heats up, many people will be facing the cold winter without a house. That’s because housing is not treated as a human need, but an investment opportunity.
Making Mental Health a Public Priority
A leader in Chicago’s fight to fund public mental health care reflects on the ongoing work to right the city’s upside-down priorities.
Walking in Mamie Till Mobley’s Footsteps
Dorothy Holmes reflects on how her personal grief compels her to work toward collective justice.
Crumbs and Police Funding?: Assessing the New Chicago Budget
Chicago’s new city budget has achieved some limited gains, but at the steep costs of massive police funding and the risk of bolstering Lightfoot’s grip on power. The socialist left needs a new strategic approach to set its own terms in the future.
‘See for Yourself’: The Lynching of Jelani Day
A Black graduate student at Illinois State University, Jelani Day, went missing on August 25. His body was found in a river near a modern-day racist sundown town, and the official story doesn’t add up.
Police Continue To Be A Menace to Public Safety
Police have enthusiastically adopted a new means to endanger the public by rallying against vaccine mandates—and they're gathering support.
Abortion for All
Thousands gathered October 2 to defend abortion access for all, from Texas to Chicago.
Hillbilly Nationalists & Chicago’s Rainbow Coalition
In 1960s Chicago, organizations of poor white people rejected racism and threw in their lot with the Black Panthers and Young Lords to fight for collective liberation. Their story is rich with lessons for today.
Chicago Rallies to Stop Line 3
Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline extension is bringing disaster to our environment. The fight to stop it has to take place on multiple fronts, from Minnesota to the streets of Chicago.