07/11/2026
**Longtime Northwest Side Political Columnist Russ Stewart Passes Away at 76**
Russ Stewart, the sharp-witted and fiercely independent political columnist whose deep-dive insights on Northwest Side and Chicago politics graced the pages of *Nadig Newspapers* for over half a century, has passed away. He was 76.
Stewart passed away peacefully on June 23 at his Norwood Park home—the very same house that once belonged to his grandparents. Over a prolific career spanning from 1973 until his retirement in late 2025, Stewart penned approximately 2,500 columns, cementing his legacy as a fixture of local political journalism.
Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Cook County politics, Stewart’s writing frequently analyzed identity politics, campaign finance records, and the inner workings of the "Democratic machine." He was an unapologetic Republican writing in a heavily Democratic city, yet his columns drew a passionate, bipartisan readership. While some readers called the newspaper demanding his removal, countless others—including the Democrats he regularly critiqued—admitted that while they didn't always agree with him, his column was a must-read.
"He was a great guy," said 38th Ward Alderman Nicholas Sposato, whose ward encompasses parts of the Dunning neighborhood. "I told him that he was a champion for the little guy, and he’d respond that’s because the big guys won’t hire him."
Beyond his role as a commentator, Stewart was a practicing attorney with a law office in Park Ridge. He frequently utilized his legal expertise to aid insurgent candidates at petition challenge hearings, often squaring off against powerful attorneys from the Cook County Democratic Party.
He represented Sposato during his early, uphill battles against the 36th Ward organization of William Banks, helping clear the path for Sposato's eventual political career on the Northwest Side.
Stewart himself harbored political aspirations over the years, running at various points for a state legislative seat and a judgeship, and working early in his career in the office of former 47th Ward Alderman John J. Hoellen.
Throughout his decades on the beat, Stewart kept a Rolodex filled with thousands of politicians, campaign insiders, and government workers. He was famous for securing candid interviews with tight-lipped officials, sometimes irritating them with his blunt analysis or sharp nicknames, only for those same officials to return to him later as inside sources.
A Taft High School alumnus and an avid dog lover who often kept several pets at a time, Stewart wrote his final regular column in November 2025.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Bonnie Stewart. In accordance with his wishes, a celebration of his life will be held privately.
