CPS passes budget, M3 Strategies poll on crime, mayoral field continues to develop, Trump weighs National Guard to Chicago
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
Release Date: 08/30/2025
Mayor Johnson’s tax package fails in Finance Cmte., CTA safety again in question, Maria Pappas joins mayoral race.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
Mayor Johnson suffered a humiliating defeat when the Finance Cmte. overwhelmingly rejected his tax package. The mayor was defiant after the loss and placed the onus for a solution on aldermen. Will aldermen cave, find a compromise, or will there be a stalemate? After a horrific crime on the CTA, questions about a secure, safe public transit system have reemerged. The mayor insists a repeat offender setting a woman on fire is an isolated incident. Is the CTA safe? What is the mayor’s solution to save the CTA after this crime? A fixture in Chicago politics, Maria Pappas, has thrown her hat...
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CPS junkets on taxpayers’ dime, ICE’s impact on crime in Chicago, the state of the GOP in Chicago
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
An OIG report revealed CPS employees spent freely on unnecessary trips. Why would CPS employees need to travel abroad? Is this waste, fraud, and abuse the norm at the district? As federal agents reduce their footprint in Chicago, a controversy has developed over what impact their presence had on crime in the city. Have federal agents contributed to lower crime rates? The GOP is essentially non- existent in Chicago. We’ll discuss the state of the Republican Party in Chicago.
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Mamdani prevails in New York City, Chuy Garcia rigs the game in the 4th Congressional District, Chicago’s great displacement.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
NYC voted in a socialist to the mayor’s office. What are the parallels between Mayor Johnson and Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani? After four terms in the U.S. House, 4th District congressman, Chuy Garcia, will step down. A dark-of-the-night decision, Chuy anointed a top staffer to succeed him. Was Chuy citing health concerns legitimate or did the Little Village congressman deceive voters? What did Chuy accomplish in his four terms on Capitol Hill? In a brilliant essay published in Contrarian, Paul Vallas describes how progressives have adopted a policy of replacing residents who exit the state...
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Illegal aliens, Indoctrination, and Indictment.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
Mayor Brandon Johnson objected to the use of the term “illegal alien” at a press conference last weekend. After rebuking the reporter, Johnson followed days later by invoking slavery. What is Johnson’s purpose? Students at two Chicago public schools staged a walkout last week over ICE immigration operations in Chicago. Where would students, some as young as 14, get the idea to protest a political issue? Is this part of a pattern? What role did the CORE caucus or media play in the student walkout? Social media influencer and Progressive candidate for the 9th congressional district Kat...
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No Kings, Pritzker disses Johnson’s Head Tax, Stacy Davis Gates takes charge over the IFT.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
On today’s episode, panelists will explore the meaning behind the “No Kings” rally in Chicago. What was the purpose, if any, and how many truly showed. Governor JB Pritzker poured cold water all over Mayor Johnson’s proposed Head Tax. The governor, who is no fan of Chicago, claimed it’s a job killer. Is Mr. Pritzker on to something? Chicago Teachers Union Grand Poohbah Stacy Davis Gates was elected to lead the Illinois Federation of Teachers. How will her assuming control over the IFT affect education statewide? How will suburban and downstate schools take to her style of leadership?...
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Mayor Johnson rolled out his “Protecting Chicago” budget on Thursday. We’ll unpack his tax proposals. Paul Vallas questions who is most responsible for drops to crime in Chicago. Is it affordable housing or a new SA who is detaining criminals? Alder
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
Mayor Johnson unveiled his 2026 budget, the “Protecting Chicago” spending plan. Unsurprisingly, the budget is awash in tax increases. How will his proposals impact residents and businesses? The mayor has often stated his progressive policies are the singular reason for reductions in crime. While crime has fallen, the drops to crime Chicago has experienced began in January 2025. Are Mayor Johnson’s policies the reason for crime’s decline, or are there other factors? Alderman Raymond Lopez is proposing conditional amnesty for illegal immigrants. Is amnesty worth considering at this...
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Paul Vallas critiques the Chicago City Council’s “apology for slavery” resolution. ICE shooting in Brighton Park creates a firestorm of controversy. Willie Wilson commentary in the Chicago Tribune says Jim Crow is returning to Chicago.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
The Chicago City Council weighed a resolution calling for an apology for slavery. In Paul Vallas’ reasoned response, the former mayoral candidate says if any apology is to be delivered, it should be Democrats offering contrition for policies which have crushed Chicago’s black community. ICE agents were assaulted by anti-ICE activists. What unfolded was the norm for progressive lawmakers: Denial of a problem, inflammatory comments about ICE operations, and no condemnation of protesters. Respected Chicago businessman Willie Wilson wrote a thoughtful piece in the Tribune. Is Jim Crow...
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Chicago Teachers Union social media post on Assata Shakur, media coverage of ICE/CBP operations in Chicago, the race to replace Representative Danny Davis.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
The Chicago Teacher Union memorialized a convicted cop killer on its official X account. The union faced a heated backlash but did not delete the message. Chicago media is in the midst of publishing a cascade of pro-illegal immigration articles. How much influence does Chicago media have in shaping public opinion on this issue? Danny Davis will leave his seat in Congress in January 2027. For the first time in decades, the 7th District seat is open. 16 primary candidates have lined up to succeed Davis. The panel will discuss the race.
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Chicago restaurants are in decline, Mayor Brandon Johnson declares law enforcement a “sickness, ”and the Chicago Public Schools dismisses Network employees.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
Restaurants in Chicago are suffering. A major part of the city’s economy, what is provoking the decline? The industry barely recovered post-COVID. Is there a pathway for restaurants to flourish again? Last week, Mayor Johnson defined law enforcement a “sickness. ” What did the mayor mean? Was the mayor misunderstood, caught in an unscripted moment, or was the mayor revealing his true view of police, the prosecution of crime, courts and the prison system? The mayor’s comments caused a backlash from supporters of Chicago Police and evinced a response from State’s Attorney Eileen...
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Mayor Johnson’s Financial Future Task Force submits its final report. Paul Vallas’ essay on media bias in its coverage of Chicago Police. Mayor Johnson has a tantrum at a weekly press conference.
Chicago Contrarian, The Podcast
The Financial Future Task Force has submitted its recommendations to solve Chicago’s yawning budget gap. What are the suggestions the task force advanced? Are Contrarian’s panelists surprised with the proposals? Paul Vallas wrote an essay on media bias in reporting on Chicago Police. Is the Chicago media biased in its reporting on law enforcement issues? Who are the worst offenders? How does this perceived bias influence subscribers or news consumers? The mayor exploded at a mayoral press availability on Wednesday. What did the mayor mean when he said “Jails and incarceration and...
info_outlineAfter a marathon meeting, the Board of Education passes a budget opposed by the CTU. With the passage of the budget, who were the winners and losers in the budget battle? M3 Strategies’ new poll reveals Chicago residents are opposed to the National Guard, but a majority of black and Hispanicresidents want federal agents conducting law-enforcement operations here.
How does this poll conflict with Mayor Johnson’s position on policing vs. CVIs? The possibility of Rep. Mike Quigley jumping into the 2027 mayoral race grew this week. Who are likely mayoral candidates? Finally, President Trump considers sending the National Guard to Chicago. Is this the best solution to Chicago’s scourge of crime? What are the alternatives?