Would Taking Ten Percent from TIFs Help Chicago's Dire Straits?
Even if cutting the city’s tax-increment finance program wouldn’t add money to the city budget, it could still help the city make that budget more sensible.
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How Kathleen Rooney Wrote O, Democracy!
Nine questions for the former Dick Durbin aide on her dishy new novel about an Illinois senator’s office.
Why Joakim Noah Is the Defensive Player of the Year
Check out these outstanding moments from the Bulls star’s career year.
Behind the Beanie Babies: The Secret Life of Ty Warner
The reclusive Chicago billionaire built an empire on stuffed toys—and now he’s narrowly escaped a prison sentence.
Hovercars and Tele-Ovens: Scenes of Chicago in Vintage British Newsreels
A look back at the city’s good ideas (ski jumping at Soldier Field, animatronic dinosaurs) and bad ones (like the scooter nuns), through the lens of British Pathé.
How Household Debt Caused the Great Recession: A Q&A With Amir Sufi
A talk with the ‘House of Debt’ co-author and University of Chicago economist on the roots of the financial crisis, the problem of student loans, and how to talk about the issue of debt.
Making Internet Comments Sound Smart Isn't Easy or Cheap
Turning readers’ invective into smart dialogue is not a new challenge—but now, it’s a bigger problem than ever. Solving it takes a lot of manpower, and some well-designed software.
Rev. Al Sharpton Is Here for Chicago—Now That Winter's Over
The TV and radio host says he postponed his Chicago sojourn while the cold weather kept people off the streets.
Chicago Gun Violence: Big Numbers, But a Surprisingly Small Network
There are lots of non-fatal gunshot victims in Chicago—and an astonishing number of them know each other. Sociologist Andrew Papachristos explains why that’s important.
Here Are the Must-Reads for the Week
The city’s 17 best new restaurants, sportswriter Will Leitch on Chicago, Finding Vivian Maier reviewed, an entrepreneurial fix for the student-loan mess, and more.