1. Chicago’s Best Places to Live
A guide to the 12 city neighborhoods and 12 suburbs that rank the highest for overall livability—based on solid real estate values, diversity, safety, and access to transportation and quality education. Chicago ran the numbers, weighed the intangibles, and picked the places to settle down.
2. At a West Side Chicago Public High School, Kids Struggle Without Teachers
Why are students at Austin Business forced to deal with a rotating cast of substitutes—and online-only required courses? WBEZ investigates.
3. MillerCoors Focusing on Water Conservation
It takes 300 barrels of water to make one barrel of beer, and the Chicago-based beer giant is investing in plans to make the process more efficient. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel previews the future of big beer.
4. University of Chicago Is Outlier With Growing Debt Load
Compared to other wealthy schools, the U. of C. is highly leveraged, causing S&P and Moody’s to drop its credit outlook. Bloomberg asks whether its future is sustainable.
5. The 50 Chicago Twitter Feeds That Matter
From the best tacos to the Chicago Transit Authority, a host of local social-media stars. Thrillist gives its picks.
6. The Immigrant’s Dilemma
How a Chicagoan graduated from college, went to grad school, and became a professional translator and author—despite being an illegal immigrant for two decades. The Reader profiles “Jose Angel.”
7. A High-Powered Home Kitchen in Chicago
What kind of kitchen does a co-owner of Alinea have? To begin with, it’s 473 square feet with a high-powered La Cornue range. Nick Kokonas invites the Wall Street Journal in.
8. Bridgeport’s Last Daley Leaves a Neighborhood Legacy
The 11th Ward committeeman talks about his neighborhood over soda bread. DNAInfo sits down with John Daley.
9. Why These Are the Most Endangered Buildings in Chicago
How Preservation Chicago makes its annual list. Chicago magazine talks with president Ward Miller.
10. Colleges Mine Data on Prospective Students
Schools are using big data to target future enrollees—and to target-market them The Tribune follows the digital trail.