Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending the decision to sign a one-year, nearly $30 million contract with controversial private security... more

Today is Earth, Wind & Fire Day. Founded in Chicago by the late band leader Maurice White in 1969, the... more

Matthew Cherry’s short film “Hair Love” won an Oscar and became a New York Times bestselling children’s book. Now the... more

Last week, Fifth Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy introduced the South Shore Housing Preservation Ordinance to City Council. The measure would... more

Budget season has officially begun! Mayor Brandon Johnson released his first budget forecast last week, kicking off his first budget... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson has outlined a plan to relocate nearly 1,600 migrants and asylum-seekers from Chicago police stations to what... more

In a twist on the “alphabet dating” TikTok trend, host Jacoby Cochran and City Cast marketing coordinator Jermaine Thomas faced... more

Been seeing more monarch butterflies lately? Now is the time when Illinois’ state insect migrates south toward Mexico. Along the... more

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg reports police failed to accurately track 911 response times nearly half time. The lack of... more

Next week, Chicago Public Schools will kick off election season for local school councils. The councils help drive big decisions... more

Earlier this summer, longtime Blackhawks owner and CEO Rocky Wirtz died at the age of 70. His son Danny Wirtz... more

Whether you’re gearing up for cuffing season, celebrating a long-term relationship, or you’re just looking for something for you and... more

Tomorrow the Poetry Foundation is starting its Fall season with a celebration at the Harold Washington Library featuring Chicago’s first-ever... more

Regulators with the Illinois Gaming Board are expected to inspect Bally’s temporary casino at Medinah temple today and run practice... more

Last week, two White Sox fans were struck by gunfire during a home game at Guaranteed Rate Field. Both individuals... more

Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to plan a quick Midwestern Road Trip. Luckily for us, our friends over... more

All summer we’ve been hearing how Chicago is coming back with tourism up, crowds outside, and no shortage of daily... more

Last week, we saw the conclusion of yet another corruption trial with ties to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.... more

Last week, White Sox fans experienced every emotion imaginable. As the team struggles through a disappointing season marred by injuries,... more

Chicago Public Schools are back in session. Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie and Northwestern professor and author Arionne Nettles join host... more

Earlier this year, host Jacoby Cochran talked with journalist and author Natalie Moore about one of her favorite movies, the... more

The number of elders being scammed out of their life savings is increasing while Illinois’ system to protect seniors from... more

Tuesday is Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 100th day in office. While we have realistic expectations about what can be accomplished in... more

Chicago Public Schools students are back in class today, including probably thousands newly-arrived migrant children. We say probably because CPS... more

Chief Larry Snelling has been selected as the next police superintendent, and Dr. Allison Arwady is out as public health... more

There is just too much to do in Chicago every weekend. That’s why host Jacoby Cochran is talking with Hey... more

From construction to public transit gaps to the sheer size of the city, getting around Chicago is really hard. While... more

Friday afternoon, Mayor Brandon Johnson fired Dr. Allison Arwady after four years leading the Chicago Department of Public Health. Then Sunday, the... more

This summer, Chicago has increased spending on temporary shelters, resource centers, and services for the nearly 13,000 migrants and asylum... more

While federal agencies track flood risk across the country, FEMA maps may paint an incomplete picture of the risk in... more

The first day of school is coming up, but there is still plenty to do for kids in Chicago. Jenny... more

For the last 94 years, the Bud Billiken Parade has been Chicago’s ultimate back to school bat signal. It’s the... more

Chicago’s Department of Public Health warns that COVID cases and hospitalizations have been going up in recent weeks. Lead producer... more

Local TV and film actors held another rally downtown last week as they strike along with writers, shutting down production... more

Northwestern University has struggled to manage the fallout from the hazing scandal rocking its athletic department as lawsuits continue to... more

The vast majority of Chicago’s dog parks are on the North Side. But among all of the city’s equity issues,... more

The rent is due, new college students are setting out into the world, and now is a great time to... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies in City Council want to put the Bring Chicago Home ordinance on the March... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to create an exploratory committee on reparations for descendants of Black formerly enslaved people who have... more

As more temporary housing facilities open for migrants and asylum-seekers, neighborhood resistance grows to the city’s rollout. During this week’s... more

Chicago’s weather has been unpredictable this month. Canadian wildfire smoke has blanketed the sky for days, torrential rain has already... more

Summertime Chi is filled with plenty of opportunities to dance the night away, including at the city’s SummerDance series next... more

Chicago’s always been a union town, but labor is having a moment right now. Host Jacoby Cochran and lead producer... more

This Wednesday, the Chicago Board of Education will hold their first official meeting since Mayor Brandon Johnson replaced all but... more

Earlier this week the Illinois Supreme Court ruled 5-2 to uphold the state’s elimination of cash bail, making Illinois the... more

Organizers of the Silver Room Sound System Block Party recently announced that this would be their final year. Although it... more

While music and street fests get most of the Summertime Chi hype, neighborhood block parties are probably the real unsung... more

For a century, Chicago has had an enduring, complicated, and nostalgic relationship with block clubs — small, volunteer-based community groups.... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson is now on the clock to make one of the most important hires of his term: Police... more

An investigation into Northwestern’s football program revealed a history of hazing, including alleged coerced sexual acts, and allegations of racism.... more

We all know you can get books at the library. But your library card can get you way more than... more

Summertime Chi would be incomplete without spending some time on Lake Michigan. But its easy to underestimate the dangers of... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition committee released its 223-page report outlining goals for the new administration. While many align with Johnson’s... more

Chicago is home plenty of new developments from high-rises to a presidential museum to a casino. But there are only... more

What impact will the US Supreme Court’s recent decisions on affirmative action and student debt relief have on the future... more

Chicago has its share of inside jokes, but none maybe more painful than goading newcomers into taking a shot of... more

Chicago roller skaters have long been called the smoothest roller skaters for their intricate footwork, elaborate routines, and signature swagger.... more

Tired of the same old burgers and dogs on Fourth of July? Looking for something unique — and truly Chicago... more

Earlier this week, Chicago had some of the worst air quality in the world due to wildfire smoke from Canada.... more

After weeks of road closures and a healthy amount of skepticism from city residents, NASCAR weekend is upon us. We... more

The City Council’s committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is slated to meet this morning — the same committee that... more

Five weeks into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first term, and supporters as well as critics are watching closely to see if... more

Chicago doesn’t end at 95th Street — but its busiest train line does. For 54 years, Far South Siders have... more

Chicago’s 52nd annual Pride Parade is Sunday starting in Uptown and ending in Lincoln Park. The Chicago Reader’s editor in... more

All this month, we’ve been bringing you our Summer Entertainment guide to help you tackle Summertime Chi with a plan.... more

For eight years, Chicago has been dubbed the “rattiest” city in the country by pest control company Orkin. The city... more

One of Chicago’s most slept-on contributions is poetry. From groundbreaking publications and institutions to acclaimed poets, Chicago is arguably the... more

NASCAR’s first-ever street race is two weeks away, and closures near the Grant Park course are picking up. DuSable Lake... more

We are continuing our Summer Entertainment Guide, where every week this month we give you recommendations for how to live... more

This week, neighbors gathered in Douglass Park to protest Riot Fest ahead of today’s Park District meeting considering permit approvals... more

Better weather means more Chicagoans outside and more bikes on city streets. Unfortunately, infrastructure to keep cyclists safe is inconsistent... more

One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first announcements when he took office was to create a task force to solve Chicago’s... more

Ten years ago, Chicago closed 50 schools in largely Black and brown neighborhoods. But what happened to those buildings after... more

Every week this month, we’re bringing you our summer entertainment guide where we give you recommendations to make the most... more

The city is currently looking for volunteers to help map heat disparities in Chicago —neighborhoods where the temps are higher... more

An administrative judge ruled late last week that the city should have granted a permit to a metal scrapping facility... more

As Chicago Public Schools let out for summer around this time a decade ago, 50 schools were closed for good.... more

Alders on Wednesday approved $51 million in funding to help asylum-seekers in Chicago, but the City Council vote was contentious.... more

No list of classic Chicago movies is complete without “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” But is Ferris’ itinerary even possible to... more

Pickleball is growing so fast in Chicago the city is set to build 50 new pickleball courts by 2025. But... more

It’s almost June 1, so you know what that means: It’s time to pay the rent. But from maintenance problems,... more

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Construction in Chicago sucks. This year’s road and highway... more

Memorial Day is the perfect excuse to take a trip, whether it be for the whole weekend or just the... more

Though the legislative session was supposed to end last week, lawmakers are still in Springfield working on a state budget... more

While the scheduled end of the spring legislative session has come and gone, Illinois lawmakers have until July 1 to... more

Ahead of the summer travel season, the Biden administration announced it would propose new rules requiring compensation for air passengers... more

Mayor Brandon Johnson was sworn in earlier this week with a memorable inauguration ceremony. Now the 57th mayor of Chicago... more

The hit show “The Bear” dropped a new trailer this week ahead of its highly anticipated return for season 2... more

Zayd Dohrn was born underground and on the run from the FBI. His parents, Bernadine Dohrn and Bill Ayers, were... more

Humorist Samantha Irby has made a career out of oversharing, from her start as a blogger in Chicago’s lit scene... more

Brandon Johnson will be inaugurated as the 57th mayor of Chicago this morning, officially bringing a close to the Lori... more

Earlier this week Mayor Lightfoot issued a state of emergency as hundreds of asylum seekers are arriving to Chicago daily.... more

Beginning in 2019, two names dominated headlines and became a love story Chicago could get behind. Monty and Rose were... more

Both the White Sox and Cubs are having disappointing seasons so far. Which means no Chicago baseball fan is happy... more

Mayor Lori Lightfoot began her final week in office with a farewell address Monday. She touted her accomplishments on spurring... more

More than 8,000 asylum-seekers, many from Venezuela, have arrived in Chicago since last fall. Unfortunately, the lack of coordination at... more

The “ComEd Four” trial ended earlier this week when four former executives and lobbyists for the utility company were found... more

After negotiations with studios stalled, the Writers Guild of America officially went on strike this week. The writers strike may... more

All four defendants in the “ComEd Four” trial have been found guilty on corruption charges, including a nearly decade-long scheme... more

It’s National Small Business Week, and we are sharing love for some of our favorite neighborhood businesses. The city is... more

Last week, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx announced she will not be seeking a third term next year. Foxx was... more

More than 7,000 mostly Venezuelan asylum seekers have arrived to Chicago from other states since last fall, many of them... more

Deep-dish pizza is polarizing for tourists, newbies, and longtime Chicagoans. It’s mockingly referred to as a casserole rather than pizza,... more

Last year, Lucy Westlake became the youngest American woman to summit Mount Everest. She previously broke the world record for... more

The list of Park District summer programs was released Monday, so the competitive process of registration begins May 1. If... more

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson was in Springfield last week to pitch his mayoral agenda to Illinois lawmakers, including increased state funding... more

Both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Alderman Ed Burke had their last meeting in City Council this week. Lightfoot was defeated... more

Nearly 100 years ago this week, the “National Barn Dance” premiered on WLS Radio in Chicago. The show introduced country... more

From shows to festivals to bars to shops, there are plenty of easy ways to empty out your wallet on... more

With taxes on the brain today, we have designated the entire week as “Personal Budget Week” in our daily newsletter... more

In 1997, a 13-year-old Black kid from the South Side named Lenard Clark was beaten into a coma by a... more

We’re coming to you on a Saturday with a special episode from The Moth, the arts organization that’s dedicated to... more

Chicago and Illinois leaders secured the bid for Chicago to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Walmart announced it’s closing... more

The new movie “Air” tells the story behind Michael Jordan’s debut shoe, the Air Jordan 1, nearly 40 years ago.... more

The Blackhawks’ final game of the season is tomorrow after the team failed to make the playoffs for the third... more

Even before mayor-elect Brandon Johnson is sworn in May 15, he’ll face questions about his plans for city departments and... more

It’s Golden Gloves week! The renowned amateur boxing tournament is celebrating 100 years, with championship matches starting Thursday. Host Jacoby... more

The next mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, will be the first mayor from the West Side in 90 years when... more

House music was born in Chicago's Black and brown LGBTQ communities almost 50 years ago. Now preservationists and historians want... more

The municipal election has felt very long. Because it has been very long. When none of the nine candidates received... more

It’s election day! So by tonight, we may know who will be leading the country’s third-largest city as voters cast... more

Artificial intelligence is being talked about a lot right now, from fabricating pictures of the Pope, to creating original trippy... more

Both mayoral candidates have touted their education bona fides ahead of Tuesday’s runoff election. But what are their plans for... more

Baseball is back in Chicago. The Cubs open their season at Wrigley Field today against the Milwaukee Brewers, and the... more

Democrats have run Chicago for decades, and the lead-up to the mayoral runoff on April 4 has often been about... more

Following the heat-exposure deaths of three seniors last year in Rogers Park, the state Senate passed a bill requiring air... more

Voters will choose Chicago’s new mayor next Tuesday, April 4. On the ballot are former CPS head Paul Vallas and... more

As summer festival lineups emerge, some Douglass Park neighbors are still protesting Riot Fest’s expected appearance on the West Side... more

While the Chicago flag is seen everywhere from buildings to tattoos, Illinois’ state flag is less well-known. That’s probably because... more

Nobody likes to think about what happens to their bodies after they die, but it’s an important decision. A bill... more