The History of the Solo Cup, From the South Side to <em>Star Wars</em>

The History of the Solo Cup, From the South Side to Star Wars

By Robert Loerzel

The ubiquitous plastic vessel has come a long way: from South Side immigrant inventors to big business in Lake Forest, a Toby Keith hit to syndicated TV specials starring its inventor's wife—and now a galaxy far, far away. Read more

Big Ideas From Chicago's Top Innovators

Noirefy Links Minority Candidates With Companies Looking to Diversify

By Kim Bellware

Virtual and social networks make it hard to make connections. Shaniqua Davis wants to fix that with her new site. Read more

Illinois Will Finally Close the Gender Wage Gap… In 2065

By Christen Gall

There's a lot of legislation on the table to get there, but there's also a long way to go, including addressing the "motherhood penalty." Read more

A Chicago Shoe-Repair Startup Moves In After Brooks Shoe Repair Vanishes

By Alex Nitkin

Shoe Drop, a mail-in repair service with a Silicon Valley approach and a 4,000-square-foot workshop on the West Side, is opening its first physical location on Jeweler's Row. Read more

Renowned Leather-Repair Shop Vanishes—With Its Customers' Luxury Goods

By Alex Nitkin

Brooks Shoe Service has been a go-to for fixing high-end accessories for decades. But after it closed suddenly this month, clients can’t get their items back. Read more

Can McDonald’s Be Everything to Everyone?

By Peter Frost

With marketing strategy shifts, store remodels, and its headquarters’ upcoming move to the West Loop, the burger giant’s CEO tries to move the company into the future. Read more

Silicon Valley Titans Shocked to Find Nice Stuff in Rust Belt

By Whet Moser

With Silicon Valley getting incomprehensibly pricey, VC money is looking for new (inland) shores, and somewhere to eat. We've got them covered. Read more

The #EbonyOwes Campaign Is a Lesson For Media Everywhere

By Kim Bellware

Freelancers for the legendary magazine organized online after it stopped paying them, and just settled for nearly $80,000. It's a model of how independent contractors can unite. Read more

On Chicago’s West Side, People Die 16 Years Earlier than Downtown

By Nissa Rhee

And it’s not just because of guns. A look at the ugly, concrete effects of racism and poverty on the health of these Chicago residents—and what it will take to give them a fighting chance. Read more

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