The Cubs: A Pretty Good Team That Loses a Lot
The Cubs are outhitting their opponents this year… but they’re not outscoring them. If you believe in curses, that makes total sense, but otherwise it’s kind of a mystery.
Ad Categories: City Life
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.
Five Reasons a Casino in Chicago Is Such a Gamble
There’s no road map. The market is saturated. And that’s just the start of the possible problems.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.