Within the global movement of working people pushing back against the forces of austerity and neoliberalism, Chicago is an important battle ground. It has become the poster child for corrupt politics and gun violence but also boasts powerful histories of union power and community organizing. The 2019 municipal election presents residents with a choice between the machine candidates of their past and a selection of new comers emerging from grassroots progressive movements.

We spoke to In These Times contributor Miles Kampf-Lassin about the effect that the rise of left social movements has had on the election and what people outside the windy city can learn from from these campaigns. His article for In These Times can be read here: inthesetimes.com/features/chicago…l_movements.html