Best Public Elementaries and Junior Highs
Our first rankings in five years go deeper than ever, with 110 schools across the six-county metro area.
Custom Placements: City Life Lead
A Life Selling Music to the West Side
Marie Henderson, owner of Out of the Past Records, has made the West Garfield Park shop a haven for old-school tunes and connection since 1986.
Bob’s House
The modest home in Dolton where Pope Leo XIV grew up has become an unofficial pilgrimage site. Will it be this troubled suburb’s salvation — or just further divide it?
Why Does Chicago Have Elevated Trains?
Two reasons: money and geology. In the early 1890s, as Chicago prepared for the World’s Columbian Exposition, there was a rush by private companies to build a public transportation system here. The first elevated train line was opened in 1892, and three more private lines would soon follow. In 1897, transportation magnate Charles T. Yerkes … Read more
Lessons From Lee Elia’s Rant
The former Cubs manager, who died last month, is best remembered for an expletive-filled tirade that left a lasting impression on this fan.
Our Favorite Used Bookstores in Town
From how easy it is to find books to what we’ve bought, here’s a quick guide to some great bookshops.
“Do It Just Like Ryno”
The author admired how the Cubs’ star second baseman took a humble approach to the sport, and how that attitude could translate in life.
The Equalizing Spirit of a Sailboat
For people with disabilities like Patrick LoDuca, sailing is a gateway to independence.
The Pope Slept Here
Before becoming the Vatican’s VIP, Leo XIV was better known around these parts as Bob Prevost. Here’s a tour of his local haunts.
The Birdbrain Case for Stopping Lincoln Yards Development
The discovery of grassland-loving dickcissels on the site of Sterling Bay’s stalled megadevelopment suggests the value of preserving open land.