Features Inside the Red Cross Pipelineby Alfredo S. LanierWhy a venerable institution lost its status as the most privileged charity in town Searching for Ben Hectby Jack StarWhere does a young woman go to become a reporter? All she knew was that nine weeks at the City News Bureau can make an old woman out … Read more
Features Building a Better Chicago After 150 years, a dynamic, vibrant city gets a bit of advice from some of its top movers, shakers, doers, and thinkers. Behind the Facadeby M.W. NewmanWhen are we going to learn that bigger isn’t always better? Politics, Plans, and Prioritiesby Harold Washington, Edward Vrdolyak, James R. Thompson, Pierre deVise, … Read more
Features Ring Out the Old, Ring in the Newby Alan GrossWe celebrate the holiday season with an exhilarating salute to the city’s bells. Confrontations: Getting a Divorceby Jack StarDissolving a marriage nowadays is often extremely complicated, and the final legal fees can be very substantial indeed. Out for the Countby Jerry SullivanA Big Year of … Read more
Features When Less is Moreby Ted ItoThe new generation of mini-TVs may be as revolutionary as the Walkman. The Doctor is Inby Jack StarThe new freestanding medical centers are attracting patients away from traditional places for treatment. Here comes a medical-care revolution. Coming Out and Moving Onby Alfredo S. LanierLife in Chicago’s gay community is … Read more
Features The Man Who Wants to Break the Moldby David MobergDespite a hostile opposition and a failure to make his cause understood, Mayor Harold Washington seems intent on changing the shape of politics in Chicago. Doctors’ Doctorsby Grant PickWe asked physicians which specialists they would go to and came up with these 40 outstanding doctors, … Read more
Features Salad Days (Mostly Celery) In Old Lake Viewby David StandishThe true and checkered past of a now seemingly unchangeable neighborhood Crackupby Dan RottenbergWhen Marshall Field V and his half brother Ted decided to dissolve the family business, it shouldn’t have surprised anybody. The House That Big Jim Builtby Paul McGrathGovernor Thompson’s new state office … Read more
Features The Pit and the Pandemoniumby William BrashlerPlaying to win with the high-stakes hustlers at the Chicago Board of Trade A Frame of Mind…by Brenda ShapiroTwo very different city spaces are the results of nearly identical goals: Both owners wanted a radical transformation without a change of address. And its Contentsby Judith NeisserWhat’s new in … Read more
Features Water Warsby David SchonauerDistant, water-proof states have been eyeing our lake. Can we still consider it, as we once did, a limitless resource? Pam Zekman’s Peopleby Jack StarOn the job with Zekman and her investigative team – painstaking work that ultimately illuminates Bridgeport’s Great White Hopeby Ron BerlerIn the 11th Ward, there was only … Read more
Features Illinois Time Tripby Lawrence RandMeet French dandies, Mormon prophets, starry-eyed idealists, angry miners, and grumpy poets on a stroll through Illinois history. Illinois Dateline Illinois celebrates popcorn, pumpkins, pigs, and prairies – here’s a guide to what’s where and when. A Street Called Mainby Don KlimovichTake a look at five Illinois towns that became … Read more
Features Chicago: City on the Makeby Nelson Algren with an introduction by Studs TerkelAn excerpt from a new edition of the infamous book about this lovable, loudmouth town Chicago’s Gung Ho Media Baronby Dan RottenbergRance Crain would be unhappy if he couldn’t keep starting new publications. Nowadays he’s a very happy man. What’s Right About … Read more
