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Laura Washington

Laura Washington is a contributing columnist for the baiduhai and political analyst at ABC-7. Before moving to the Tribune, she served as a longtime contributing columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Washington brings more than two award-winning decades of experience as a non-profit professional and multi-media journalist. She specializes in African American affairs, local and national politics, race and racism, and social justice.

Currently, 41% of Americans report that "none of their purchases in a typical week are paid for using cash," Pew reported last week.

Laura Washington: A pox on the cashless society

October 10, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

"Cash is king," or so they say. These days, that's not saying much. These days, cash is not king, nor queen, nor princess. It's not even the court jester. The...

U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, second from right, joins then-candidate Delia Ramirez, second from left, at a campaign stop at Prieto Math and Science Academy in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood on June 28, 2022.

Laura Washington: Chuy warbles ‘Tomorrow’ instead of seizing the day

October 6, 2022 at 12:36 p.m.

Chicago's Feb. 28 mayoral election is just months away, and campaigns are building steam. "Waiting for Chuy" is the must-watch dance of the political season. Last month, the political class...

Supporters of former President Donald Trump cheer on Kari Lake, a candidate for the Republican governor nomination, during her speech at a Save America rally July 22, 2022, in Prescott, Arizona.

Laura Washington: Cast a vote or judge an election for democracy

October 6, 2022 at 12:36 p.m.

How serious are we about saving democracy? Since the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, rhetoric calling for just that has been hot and heavy. On Sept. 1,...

Commuters board a CTA Red Line train to the Loop on Aug. 30, 2022, during rush hour at the 95th Street CTA Red Line station in Chicago.

Laura Washington: Why I loved, and now fear, the CTA

September 30, 2022 at 10:04 a.m.

I am a CTA devotee. I have spent a lifetime riding the buses and trains of Chicago, with sentimental memories of the all-day "Super Transfer" and those old green CTA...

Ald. Sophia King, 4th, marches in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 13, 2022.

Laura Washington: Is Sophia King the blue lobster of the 2023 Chicago mayoral race?

September 30, 2022 at 10:04 a.m.

It's on. Tuesday, candidates in February's citywide elections will begin gathering signatures. A herd of mayoral hopefuls will scramble to collect valid signatures from 12,500 registered voters to qualify for...

Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson greets people after speaking at Maggiano's on July 13, 2022.

Laura Washington: Beware of the Willie Wilsonization of politics

September 30, 2022 at 10:04 a.m.

Willie Wilson didn't start the trend, but he has taken political giveaways to new heights. The Chicago business owner and philanthropist is again running for Chicago mayor in the February...

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn speaks at a news conference Sept. 3, 2020, in Chicago in support of keeping Mercy Hospital open.

Laura Washington: Is Pat Quinn in?

September 30, 2022 at 10:04 a.m.

Pat Quinn, the erstwhile Illinois governor and longtime political gadfly, is strongly hinting he will run for mayor of Chicago in 2023. The Feb. 28 nonpartisan election is drawing a...

Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, left, re-enacts the swearing-in of the newest member of Congress, Jesse Jackson Jr. (R), D-IL. on Dec. 14, 1995. In the background are congressmen Jackson's mother, Jackie, his wife Sandri, center, and his father, civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Laura Washington: Bobby Rush says Jesse Jackson Jr. and wife deserve a presidential pardon and our forgiveness

September 30, 2022 at 10:04 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush has written to President Joe Biden to request "redemption." He is asking for an unconditional pardon for former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife,...

People watch as the Art Institute lions are reinstalled near the front steps of the museum's Michigan Avenue entrance on July 19, 2022, in Chicago.

Laura Washington: The lions at the Art Institute should roar in outrage over the museum’s increased off-hours

September 30, 2022 at 10:03 a.m.

The lions are back. Chicago needs to hear them roar. The city's royal felines resumed their thrones last week at the entrance of the Art Institute on South Michigan Avenue....

Coinbase employees gather in Times Square to see the launch of the company's initial public offering displayed on the Nasdaq tower April 14, 2021, in New York.

Laura Washington: Cryptocurrency is a peril for the Black community

October 6, 2022 at 12:35 p.m.

"The future is crunk!" declares a digital re-creation of a young LeBron James in the ubiquitous TV commercial promoting Crypto.com. That is, hype. Wild. Exciting. Cryptocurrency is hot, especially for...