20 Years Later: How Sufjan Made Some “Illinoise” By Grace Perry Sufjan Stevens’s sweeping ode to the Prairie State was released in July 2005. Let’s explore the album’s enduring status as a cult classic. Read more
The MCA Reframes Local Queer Artists By Web Behrens A new exhibition at the museum reconsiders generations of art — and the activism that inspired it. Read more
Joe Mantegna Saw the Cubs Win Before You Did Interview by Mike Thomas The actor, 77, on his big break, a lesson from Gregory Peck, and his greatest Cubs memory. Read more
Why Shelby Van Pelt’s Next Novel Won’t Feature an Octopus Interview by Mike Thomas The novelist, 44, on fan mail, a close call with the Boston bombing, and following up a bestseller. Read more
Intuit Reopens With an Exhibition of Immigrant Artists By Kelley Engelbrecht After a $10 million renovation, the museum will highlight 92 works by 22 Chicago artists. We have a guide to three of the creators. Read more
Summer’s Required Reading, Chicago-Style By Kelley Engelbrecht From stories steeped in the rhythms of the city to a lighthearted romance, these new novels by Chicago-connected authors provide ample beach-chair fodder. Read more
The Acclaimed Graphic Novel Berlin Hits the Stage By Web Behrens Two theater veterans forge their own artistic path by freely adapting the Jason Lutes novel for Court Theatre. Read more
All We Ever Wanted to Be Was a Party Band By Rick Telander For 54 years, through raucous parties and life’s twists and turns, the author has rocked on with his band. Read more
