Ad Categories: City Life

With all eyes on Chicago and the dispute between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools, a lot of good stuff is being written on teacher evaluations, testing, and other issues crucial to the strike.

A new web documentary delves anew into the city’s violence-prevention organization, following Ameena Matthews as a dispute over money turns ugly, then violent.

The Land of Lincoln has a long-held reputation for big government and big patronage in its biggest city. But the data is clear on one thing: we’re far and away number one in the nation in little governments.

From mile-long pig viaducts, to the shackling pen, to the pig wheel, and on to the scraper and the hog barbers: on the pork production line in Chicago’s turn-of-the-century stockyards.

Bill Clinton puts on a master class in public speaking, Joe Biden is ice cold, and the president echoes his 2008 acceptance speech, only his inspiration is Lincoln instead of MLK.

A crucial negotiating point between the CTU and CPS involves teacher rehiring and tenure. In the abstract, loosening restrictions might sound appealing, but a series of controversies over the firing of seemingly effective teachers has made negotiations much harder than they might look.