Features Chicagoans of the CenturyAs the century races to a close, the era’s 100 most important Chicagoans pass in review. Mayors and musicians, architects and athletes, we rank them all. Who’s on first, who’s bringing up the rear – and who got left behind? Our definitive list tells all. Right on Qby Jonathan EigDePaul’s Quentin … Read more
Features The Big Onion Awardsby David Zivan, Don Babwin, and Terry SullivanHankies, please. It’s our fifth annual tribute to ineptitude, sloth, greed – and other youthful indiscretions – among bumbling public servants. Father Courageby Don BabwinFor two decades, Michael Pfleger has been taking to the streets to fight the forces that he thinks threaten his … Read more
Features World Class Doctorsby Dennis Rodkin and Geoffrey JohnsonThere are doctore – and then there are doctors. These 20 area specialists stand in the forefront of their profession, pioneers in the war against disease. Making Them Talkby Jonathan EigChicago police extracted murder confessions out of two young boys – even though later evidence suggested they … Read more
Features Faces of the City produced by Kerry RobertsonFrom among hundreds of photographs, we have selected portraits of the famous, the familiar, and the virtually unknown that say something special about Chicago. Think of it as a family album for the city. The Perfect Momentby Richard CahanContact sheets speak volumes about great photos by revealing … Read more
Features Good Deals, Great Mealsby Dennis Ray Wheaton and Anne SpiselmanStepping into the ring with the town’s top budget contenders, our reviewers go toe to toe with bulky buffets, beat the system at the dining heavyweights, and do some fancy footwork in finding free grub for the tykes. Pressure Highby Cynthia HansonFor almost a century, … Read more
Features Home $weet Homeby Dennis RodkinAs the stock market gyrated, Chicago’s residential real estate remained a solid investment. Local experts examine the phenomenon, while we look at house prices in 270 communities in the city and suburbs. The Remarkable Mr. Farleyby Marc SpieglerBill Farley was the highest-paid CEO in town last year despite huge losses … Read more
Features Nightmare in Building 503by Jonathan EigSince 1989, 19 employees at the Amoco Research Center in Naperville have been diagnosed with brain tumors, and four have died. Now some of the workers are suggesting they fell victim to something in the air. The Playerby Marcia Froelke CoburnAfter decades of discipline, abstinence, and indulgence, Pat Arbor, … Read more
Features My So-Called (Dog’s) Lifeby Marcia Froelke CoburnMore Americans than ever are engaging in heavy petting – and they find it hard to deny anything to their cats, dogs, ferrets, bunnies, and birds. The best owners know the secrets of hopelessly unrestrained indulgence. Master of the Houseby Philip BergerTony Grunsfeld occupies a specialized niche: Chicago’s … Read more
Features Through Thick and Thin Our critics investigate a Chicago classic and choose the best deep-dish, thin-crust, gourmet, and unconventional pizzas. They also pile on toppings of additional best bets, history, reader poll results, and more. Sex by the Numbersby Jonathan EigUniversity of Chicago researchers say that American sex lives are dull, limited, lacking – … Read more
Features Can This Be the Midwest?Adventure vacations among alpine meadows, sandstone cliffs, forested islands, limestone canyons, and riverfront bluffs. Cream of the Cropby Dennis RodkinThese five nurseries, the area’s best, help local plant lovers perfect their gardens while cultivating their green thumbs. Emerald Cityby Jill RiddellBeyond Chicago’s asphalt jungle, the forest preserves of Cook, Lake, … Read more
