Features

Home Economics
by Geoffrey Johnson and Dennis Rodkin
With the local real estate market booming, homeowners in the city and suburbs are wondering about trends, hot neighborhoods, and current housing prices. Our insider’s look at 275 towns and neighborhoods provides answers.

The Last Word
by Jonathan Eig
Mike Royko worked too much. He drank too much. He cared too much. A look back at Chicago’s greatest columnist reveals some surprises – everyone knew he was a grizzly, but few knew he could be a teddy bear, too.

CPD Blue
by Rick Soll
Nearly a year after seven members of the 15^th Police District Tactical unit were indicted for a host of crimes, the good cops who remain are working to repair the unit’s image – and bring hope to some of the city’s meanest streets.

Life of Bryant
by Ted Allen
As he prepares to launch his CBS newsmagazine, Public Eye with Bryant Gumbel, the Chicago-reared host discusses Hyde Park, live TV, and his brilliant career in Jell-O packaging..

A World Apart
by Christine Newman
To get away from it all and get the job done, busy smart-set Chicagoans retreat to custom-outfitted home offices.

Departments

Letters

Contributors

Frontlines
Pamela Atwood’s lacy things; Yoko Noge sings the blues; roasted Reinsdorf; more

Power Lines
by Marc Spiegler
A Trib scoop, with help from a friend; plus, Chicago’s high-priced City Council

Real Lives
by Marcia Froelke Coburn
With advice from gardener Tom Clothier, paradise can be regained.

Reporter
by Marcy Mason
The Department of Mental Health wages war on the whistleblower it fired.

Music

by Gale Kappe
Orchestra Hall’s costly renovation focuses on improving its acoustics.

Stage & Screen
by Penelope Mesic
Architect Dan Coffey pulls out the stops to end the acrimony at the film fest.

Dining Out
by Dennis Ray Wheaton
Trips to two revitalized restaurants provide divergent dining angles.

Going Places
by Anne Spiselman
Suburban malls go cosmopolitan with a fresh crop of upscale shops.

Sullivan’s Travels
by Terry Sullivan
The golfer’s best friend: a dog named Blue, riding herd over Glen Ellyn’s geese