Playboy's leaving Chicago for the sunny climes of Los Angeles. It's been a long time coming, as the magazine left the Second City in spirit long, long ago. Read more
The battles of city planning and urban theory are fought block by block—such as in Logan Square, where the renovation of a McDonald's sheds light on the city's pedestrian-street regulations. Read more
An abandoned, abused dog grabbed headlines this weekend, shocking readers with the cruelty it was exposed to and inspiring them to line up to adopt it. It's a revealing look into how our empathy, and loss of it, is reflected in our treatment of animals. Read more
The Cubs' offseason has been a bit boring so far, but it's been a lot more exciting for their NL Central opponents—who have lost, or stand to lose, the three best hitters in the division. The Cubs might not be better next year, but neither will the teams they play the most. Read more
The CME-Sears tax breaks pass the house as the ongoing legislative battle looks to be coming to a close, and the broader debate over it as well. So when do we get tax reform for everyone? Read more
The Miami Marlins will come into 2012 with some high-priced new stars, an expensive and gorgeous new stadium to surround them... and no public transportation to get there. Why can't teams learn from the Cubs and the Twins? Read more
The Bears take on the NFL's worst, most effective, and most interesting quarterback on Sunday. Plus: a look back at Bobby Douglass, an old Bear whose playing style was ahead of its time, which still might not have come yet. Read more
One of the Field Museum's first ventures was an extraordinary journey across Africa, Russia, and Oceana to document the way man traveled at the end of the 19th century—led by a railroad publicist and a great Old West photographer. Read more
The income-tax breaks attached to the CME Group/Sears/etc. tax breaks got the latter through the Senate, but the former got it killed in the House. If they can't fit together, maybe splitting them up will work. Read more
