The 312 - Chicago

How the Chicago Teachers Union Could Challenge Rahm Emanuel

Backing a mayoral candidate to go against Rahm may not work—but a strong union can find other ways to change how politics is done in a city.

Posted today at 12:00 p.m.

Why Is So Much of Chicago a Commercial Desert?

Chicago's poorest neighborhoods have much less commercial activity than even a typical poor city neighborhood in America. Is it crime? Investment? History?

Posted yesterday at 5:15 p.m.

Photos: Chicago’s Black Belt During the Great Migration

As World War II swelled Chicago's black population, photographers Edwin Rosskam and Russell Lee—with the help of author Richard Wright—documented the changing city.

Posted yesterday at 1:45 p.m.

Here’s One Parent’s Story About the Closing of Her Neighborhood CPS School

Trumbull Elementary was closed by a unanimous vote of the school board today, despite parents' claims that the school is not underutilized—if special-education students are considered.

Posted Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.

Why These Four Chicago Public Schools Won’t Close

Community involvement, private investment, and basic math all helped spare Mahalia Jackson, Manierre, Leif Ericson and Garvey Elementary Schools.

Posted Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

Here Are Some of Brian Urlacher’s Greatest Moments as a Bear

From recovering fumbles to the Super Bowl Mumble, we'll miss big number 54.

Posted Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Tornado’s Magic Cyclone Machine

One of the 20th century's legendary meteorologists, Ted Fujita, revolutionized the study of tornadoes, but for most of his life never got to see one. So he made his own.

Posted Tuesday at 5:20 p.m.

Here Are the Best-Looking (and Most Bizarre) Airbnb Rentals in Chicago

Airbnb rentals may be illegal in NYC, but the DIY-hotel site is still ok in Chicago. Here's a look at a few standout listings.

Posted Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.

Why Food Stamp Use in Illinois Has Exploded

It's the economy, but not just the economy. Eligibility has expanded, states have increased participation rates, and food stamps have replaced other forms of the social safety net.

Posted Tuesday at 1:45 p.m.

The Obama Campaign’s Chief Data Scientist on the Future of Civic Data

Rayid Ghani left Accenture to lead Obama for America's data analytics team. Now he's going to the University of Chicago to change how cities, nonprofits, and governments use information.

Posted Monday at 4:15 p.m.

About The 312

What the editorial staff at Chicago magazine is reading, watching, clicking on, listening to, talking about, and doing—shared here and open for discussion.

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