Even if Americans as a whole aren't, a rare glimpse into the politics of the very wealthy—and politically influential—speaks volumes about the direction of national, state, and local policy. Read more
In rural Illinois, expensive, bad broadband leaves dial-up as the best option for internet access—and then, using AOL actually makes economic sense. Read more
What we didn’t know about the housing bubble hurt us—but the lessons from the financial crisis could save us from the growing student-loan problem. Read more
Chicagoland began sprawling in the wake of the Great Fire—and its infectious growth influenced the spread of other cities, laying the groundwork for suburbia as we know it. Read more
Chicago's racial segregation has roots in its housing policies—a set of 20th century ideas casting such a long shadow that even Donald Sterling's story traces back to this city. Read more
