1. Rauner Sells His Brand to Republican Voters

In a new profile, the venture capitalist portrays himself as a regular guy and reveals his plan to fix the state’s pensions. The Tribune talks to the GOP frontrunner.

2. Informant in Brookins’ Aide Case Has History of Scams

The man at the center of the alleged bribery scheme got an early start: At 14, he used a fake birth certificate to get a job at O’Hare. The Sun-Times tells the story of Mhde Askar.

3. Welcome to Chicagoland

CNN’s new series should benefit the mayor—and his courting of worldwide media outlets to establish Chicago’s global reputation. The Urbanophile explains his strategy.

4. DuPage County Cuts Government with Consolidation

The city has saved $80 million over three years by reducing overlap and may be a model for the rest of the state. The Better Government Association looks at how they’ve done it.

5. How Chicago’s Neighborhoods Got Their Names

Writers, furnace ashes, sociologists, and even a novel served as sources for the city’s diverse collection of nabes. Mental Floss collects their origins.

6. Chicago Is the Home of America’s Only Female Condom

How the Female Health Company came to be (and get FDA approval). Chicago magazine gets the story from founder O.B. Parrish.

7. ISAT Drills in the Age of Mayor Rahm

A CPS teacher secretly filmed consultants prepping teachers on the ISAT—and got 200,000 hits on YouTube. The Reader tracks down the source.

8. How Safe Is It to Eat Lake Michigan Fish?

It’s not as bad as you think, but don’t eat the channel catfish. WBEZ’s Curious City offers a handy guide.

9. Chicago Bus Rapid Transit Battle Rages On

Will Ashland lose two lanes to the new BRT system? The CTA is sifting through 1,100 public comments on it. RedEye has a FAQ on the controversial proposal.

10. At Many Schools, It’s Tests, Tests, and More Tests

The ISAT isn’t the half of it: CPS schools put students through a smorgasboard of standardized tests. Catalyst Chicago wades through the acronyms.