Whet Moser

Compared to our Great Lakes neighbors, things have been pretty quiet in city and state politics, probably because Daley's on his way out and power didn't shift too much after the midterms. But our politics will heat up with the weather. Read more

The mayor heads to China (again) to pitch investors on his Block 37-airport express train (again). Could Chicago get its own version of London's Heathrow Express? Read more

It's not the Sweet Home Chicago ordinance, which has been pushed by affordable housing advocates. And it's only for home buyers, not renters. But that doesn't mean it's bad, either. Read more

Putting the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan in context with the latest reports on safety, containment, and risk, including a new look at earthquake risks to nuclear power plants in the U.S. Read more

Where the first nuke was buried in Chicagoland; the first radiation poisoning, or at least the first lawsuit about radiation poisoning; police forensics, circa 1898; the early history of the stop snitchin' code; and more Read more

Check out our recommendations for restaurants and stores in the heart of West Town and Noble Square... and these deep cuts to go along with them. Read more

While the political and fiscal news in Illinois remains relatively quiet, our Midwestern neighbors are taking dramatic and controversial steps to repair their budgets. Read more

Could a partial meltdown occur at a Great Lakes nuclear power plant? One already has, and there's even a song about it. Here's a look at some risks for Midwestern plants, including tornadoes, people, and not being a nuclear power plant. Read more

Last week the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago released its 27th General Social Survey, which measures Americans' government-spending priorities. The austerity fad seems to have changed our priorities a bit, but a plurality of us still wants to spend money on most government functions, especially on education. Read more

Pat Quinn just signed a bill that forces online retailers like Amazon to pay state sales taxes in states where they have affiliates... and in response Amazon is cutting off its affiliates. What's this all got to do with affiliates if it's Amazon that we want the money from? It all has to do with the Commerce Clause. Read more