A middle-finger of a letter from an august U. of C. prof; a detailed history of the Portage Theater; a list of the best restaurants in the suburbs; and more Read more
The House Majority Leader stirs dissent within his own party for supporting the young Rep over the veteran conservative he defeated, tipping off a PAC Rube Goldberg machine in the process. Read more
You wouldn't either, if you grew up rooting for the Roanoke Valley Rebels, or at least rooting for them to get into fights. They were an offensive team, with offensive uniforms, at least until a blizzard took out their arena. Read more
Two new studies challenge the conventional wisdom on food deserts, a topic that's had its focus in Chicago. In all likelihood, the research is more compatible than it looks, and combined shows the complexity and breadth of the issue. Read more
City Council takes up the semi-contentious speed camera bill, and it passes like many semi-contentious bills before it: 33-14, a low but not atypical result from the past nine years of City Council votes. Read more
The press likes to write about Rahm Emanuel's fast-paced, intimidating managerial style. As these things go in the boring 21st century it's neat enough, but nothing like Big Bill Thompson and his "prize model sailboat." Read more
Starlin Castro is starting hot and showing speed on the basepaths, but his defense needs work; Jeff Samardzija looks like he's for real this time; Bryan LaHair is raking; and Paul Maholm isn't as bad as his 13.50 ERA. Read more
Former Goose Island brewer Greg Hall takes on an untapped market with his new cider venture. The first release, the tap-only RedStreak, just hit Chicago bars after the ten-month process of preparing the brew and the company. Read more
A building-materials conglomerate moves its U.S. headquarters to Illinois (but cuts back in downstate Joppa); what the city giveth to shared kitchens, it taketh away from liquor stores; and more Read more
Should cities build bike lanes to fulfill demand? No, suggests the findings of a recent survey: building bike lanes creates demand, just as building more roads leads to having more cars on the road. Read more
