Pregnancy Tests? Pigeon Poo? What Chicago Aldermen Really Do
Sure, they pass laws and vote on city budgets. But there’s so much more. Think: Pregnancy tests and pigeon poo.
Jun 11, 20130
Curious City
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
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Episodes
Working For Change On Chicago’s Sidewalks
Curious City tracks down the average wages of panhandlers and street performers in Chicago.
Jun 06, 2013•8 min
Being A Breadwinner On $8.25 An Hour
A listener who hustles to make ends meet wants us to think about people who hustle for even less.
May 21, 20130
So, What’s (Still) Made In The Chicago Area?
Sure, we have fewer industrial giants in our area these days, but if you know where to look you can find the beating heart of industry.
May 20, 20130
Chicago Diners, Side Of Extra Crispy Stories
You’d think food blogger Louisa Chu would be stuffed after this assignment. Nope. Pass her the syrup, she says. She wants to stay and hear more stories.
May 14, 2013•10 min
The Story Of Dunning, A 'Tomb For The Living'
In both life and death, the people who ended up at the notorious asylum and poor farm were some of Chicago’s least fortunate residents.
Apr 30, 2013•10 min
Did a WWII nuclear experiment make the U of C radioactive?
Our Geiger counter couldn’t detect any radiation footprint from the site of the first sustained nuclear chain reaction. (Whew!) But, was safety first and foremost when scientists ran their WWII nuclear experiment in Chicago?
Apr 17, 20130
Laugh Your Troubles Away
A Curious Citizen’s question becomes your ticket to our multimedia playground , where you can relive the sometimes joyful, sometimes disturbing, and often unnerving stories of a Chicago amusement park.
Feb 19, 2013•9 min
Hmmm ... If Only Our Curiosity Had An Anthem
A Chicago transplant asked what — if anything — is unique to Chicago. Answers were slippery, but our songster grabbed the best and wrote a song.
Feb 13, 2013•23 min
What Happened to Nike Missile Sites Around Chicago?
Cold War Chicago was once peppered with nuclear missiles ready to thwart a Soviet attack.
Jan 22, 20130
Is Construction Work A Boon For Chicago's Urban Archaeologists?
Curious Citizen Linda Rudy wondered when ground is broken for building or repairs, is anyone there to look for treasure? We catch up with local archaeologists who’ve scoured everything from construction sites, to the White City, to ... grandpa’s outhouse.
Jan 16, 2013•16 min
Who settles refugees on Chicago's North Side?
Rogers Park resident Lowell Wyse noticed how diverse his neighborhood is, and wonders whether the city helps place international refugees there. If City Hall’s not, who is?
Jan 08, 2013•5 min
How Much Of The Field Museum’s Collection Is Actually On Display?
The bulk of its objects are out of sight, but not necessarily out of mind. Start with our behind-the-scenes view, and stick around for a surprising international backstory .
Jan 03, 2013•15 min
Why Ban Pickups from Lake Shore Drive? Where Can They Park in Chicago?
History suggests a Victorian-era prejudice against commercial traffic in Chicago parkways lurks behind a ban against pickup trucks on Lake Shore Drive. Should truck owners worry? And, where can they park, anyway?
Jan 01, 2013•19 min
How Has Chicago’s Coastline Changed Over The Decades?
Curious citizen Miriam Reuter wondered how Chicago's coastline has changed over the decades. We learn that from nature to industry and back again (sorta), the lakefront’s changed so much that city founders wouldn’t recognize it.
Dec 11, 2012•10 min
Where’s Chicago's Biodiversity Hotspot?
The city's home to more wildlife than the usual suspects. (We're talking 'bout you, Mr. Squirrel.) Lace up your boots, folks. To find lizards, osprey and cactus, we’ll be heading far off the Mag Mile.
Nov 07, 20120
Chuh Kaw Go, What Do You Really Sound Like?
What is a Chicago accent and what do Chicagoans really sound like? Sound off with your phone and become part of the linguistic record.
Oct 23, 2012•23 min
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