Features How We CompareHow does Chicago stack up against the country’s other biggest cities (New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Houston)? Here are some basic facts and other revealing stats-about the economy, culture, education, crime, and the weather-that take the measure of these major metropolises. PLUS: The Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, a Chicago native … Read more
Features 2008?By James L. MerrinerBarack Obama calls himself “a skinny guy with a funny name.” But some Democratic faithful hope to call him something else come 2008: “Mr. President.” Although the new senator rules out a run for higher office before 2012, the Obama-for-president boomlet won’t go away. Our reporter explores how the scenarios could … Read more
Features A Special Report: Money In ChicagoA comprehensive look at who’s earning how much, who’s hit it big, how some struggle with it, and how you could do better with yours. Who Makes WhatFrom A-list celebrities to street musicians, and CEOs to wage slaves, we reveal how much some Chicagoans earn for a living. Does … Read more
Features Best New Restaurantsby Dennis Ray Wheaton and Joanne TrestrailIt’s the year of odd names (Schwa), hard-to-find doorways (Copperblue), New York transplants (Il Mulino), and global ingredients used with inspired abandon (Alinea). Winners all, but so are their patrons. Head of the Classby Monica GinsburgChicago’s eight “selective enrollment” public high schools are fielding some … Read more
Features The Road To Summerby Geoffrey JohnsonA world-class golf course overlooking Lake Michigan. A wilderness resort on a Lake Huron island. A luxury cruise that visits all five Great Lakes. These are just three of 14 Midwestern destinations that all lead to warm-weather fun. The Quiet Billionaireby John CookArea native Joe Mansueto built Morningstar into … Read more
Features Why We Love Chicago In The SummerIt’s not that we don’t love the city during the winter, spring, and fall. But during the warmest months-from June through August-people open up, clothing comes off, and Chicago turns into one of the best destinations on earth. Here we catalog the reasons why right now there’s nowhere … Read more
Features Best of ChicagoFor this year’s Best of Chicago feature, we ate, shopped, visited, interviewed, imbibed, and otherwise sampled our way through the city and suburbs looking for treasures and treats. Somebody had to do it!Plus: The best of Albany Park, Evanston, Highwood, Hyde Park, and Ukrainian Village Friendly Persuasionby Jonathan Black Elegant, upbeat, and … Read more
Features Sweet SpotsFor our roundup of bars and clubs we posed questions real Chicagoans might ask when searching out great nightlife. And we found answers: swanky lounges, hot dance clubs, out-of-the-way gems, and more. That’s EntertainmentStuck in a routine? These fresh ideas will put some life into your night. Dramatic Effectby Mara TappRobert Falls ignited … Read more
Features The A+ Teamby Dennis Rodkin and Amy RaineyWe crunched data on more than 1,740 Chicago-area public elementary and middle schools to name the 115 best. We also compiled a list of 25 topflight private schools. Been Up So Long, Looks Like Down Too Me by Dennis RodkinSlower sales, flattening prices? It’s not as bleak … Read more
Features Welcome to ToquevilleChicago has arrived as one of the premier dining cities on the planet, and we feature the men and women who have put it there.Chicago’s Best ChefsMeet the city’s foremost kitchen legends, the aces, and the innovators.Table TalkSix of the biggest names in the restaurant world gather to chat about the state … Read more
