Karen Freeman-Wilson –

Chief of Policy Jung Yoon, left, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, center, and Budget Director Annette Guzman answer questions from the audience during a town hall Feb. 3, 2026, hosted by the mayor at the South Shore Cultural Center. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Karen Freeman-Wilson and Jim Reynolds: Chicago’s fiscal future depends on more than dollars. It depends on trust.

June 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicagoans are paying attention to city finances, but many do not feel they understand how budget decisions are made or priorities are set.

Server racks are seen within a data hall at Meta’s data center in DeKalb on Nov. 29, 2023. Data centers generate new tax revenue. (Talia Sprague/baiduhai)

Karen Freeman-Wilson: It’s time for Chicago to collect on our data storage revenue

September 17, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

New data centers can each generate up to $13 million a year for the city.

From left, U.S. Rep. Peter J. Visclosky, Gary Sanitary District Board President Charles Jackson, Lake Station Mayor Christopher Anderson and Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson discuss a sanitary sewer project in 2017.

While Congress dallies, cities lead on infrastructure

December 13, 2018 at 10:18 a.m.

Making sure my city’s residents can rely on safe and dependable infrastructure is one of my most important jobs. But it’s not one that I — or the City of...

Each of us must remain vigilant against hate, bigotry

June 2, 2018 at 11:10 p.m.

On Tuesday, August 15, 2017, I was overwhelmed with emotions of disbelief, sadness and fear, as I listened to an intemperate President Donald Trump retreat from his reluctant condemnation of...

Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson talks about the city's debt on Feb. 20, 2015.

Mayor: Shift in support for GEO based on Gary’s best interest

June 16, 2018 at 11:44 a.m.

Recently, I signaled my support for the consideration of an immigration processing center on property near the Gary/Chicago International Airport. My support was intended to communicate to the Board of...

All Stories