The unsung hero of urban planning who made it easy to get around Chicago
Unsung urban planning hero Edward Brennan tamed a chaotic 19th-century street-numbering system.
May 20, 20150
Curious City
Ask questions, vote and discover answers about Chicago, the region and its people. From WBEZ.
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Episodes
Were Chicago's Public Schools Ever Good?
We start an era-by-era search for the district’s ‘golden age’ and wonder: Could it be right now?
May 13, 20150
The Legacy Of Michael Jordan In Chicago
The city rode high when ‘His Airness’ played for the Bulls. But what did he leave behind?
Apr 01, 20150
Chicago's forgotten Civil War prison camp
Camp Douglas’ deadly reputation was kept in shadows but now there’s a surprising movement to bring it to light .
Mar 11, 2015•13 min
Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil
Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?
Mar 04, 20150
The Rise of Casimir Pulaski Day
How Chicago’s Polish community won a Revolutionary War hero a holiday ... in a state he never stepped in.
Feb 25, 2015•12 min
No Conspiracy Required: The True Origins Of Chicago's February Elections
Sure, the timing’s awful for campaigning and voting, but it wasn’t some trick concocted by the Democratic Machine. In fact, it was meant to empower voters.
Feb 18, 20150
When Will Chicago Get Its Next Supertall Skyscraper?
A Chinese developer wants to alter the city skyline and break a dry spell in a field we once dominated.
Jan 28, 20150
When is Chicago-area Traffic the Worst?
Let our info about the Let our info about the worst hours, days and seasons for road congestion steer you clear from a traffic-induced personal hell.
Jan 09, 20150
Wherefore art thou Romeoville?
The Chicago suburbs of Romeoville and Joliet were once named Romeo and Juliet. We explored why.
Dec 29, 20140
Weird And Wonderful Things You Might Not Know About Chicago
What associations do you make with Chicago? Da Bears? Shady politics? Wacky weather? If you feel that list is getting stale, here’s a list of new ones to consider!
Dec 23, 2014•53 min
Could Truant Officers Return To Chicago Public Schools?
A state task force likes the idea, but one former officer says the proposed job description could be a bit too much.
Nov 13, 20140
Campus police: real deal or rent-a-cops?
Our case study: The U of C, where a private force polices 65,000 Chicagoans on and off campus.
Nov 05, 20140
We Ain't Afraid Of No (Chicago) Ghosts!
What makes these notable ghost stories tick? Even if you don’t believe them, you’ll never forget them.
Oct 30, 2014•14 min
Real Estate And Religion: The Tale Of Seventeenth Church Of Christ, Scientist
How a modest congregation at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist built and maintained an improbably cool concrete oasis in such an improbable location.
Oct 22, 20140
Chicago Without The Fire
Historians consider our “what-if” scenario about a city that escaped the 1871 blaze. Would the Loop be a livable neighborhood? Would the skyline be so strident? And would there be such a thing as the Chicago spirit?
Oct 06, 2014•14 min
A Second Act For The Uptown Theater?
As Chicago's former grand movie palace turns 90, the question remains: What can be done to restore it?
Sep 19, 2014•13 min
Two neighboring states, one big financial gap
Illinois struggles with debt and unpaid bills, while Indiana is sitting pretty with a surplus topping $2 billion. What’s behind the fiscal gap between these two neighbors?
Aug 28, 20140
A Shot Of History: Ingredients Of The Chicago Speakeasy
The faux speakeasy is popping up everywhere these days, but what made the original Prohibition saloon work?
Aug 07, 20140
So, why did it take so long for it to be Mayor Jane Byrne's turn?
It took decades for Chicago's first and only female mayor to land an official honor from City Council. Is there a reason it took so long?
Jul 25, 20140
Compare: Illinois Governor Candidates' Views On Concealed Carry
A concerned citizen poses questions about violence and the state’s new law allowing people to carry concealed guns. We find a surprising lack of consensus among the candidates and researchers, too.
Mar 13, 20140
How Much Road Salt Ends Up In Lake Michigan?
Now that our wicked winter’s ending, we look at whether there’s any fallout from flinging so much salt around.
Mar 05, 20140
Just How Bad Is This Chicago Winter?
This winter has felt like one for the ages, but is it really one of Chicago’s worst?
Feb 05, 20140
Gulp! How Chicago Gobbled Its Neighbors
Our animated map shows how Chicago grew from lakeside outpost to booming metropolis over the course of a century.
Jan 27, 20140
Hosting the enemy: Our WWII POW camps
Daring escapes, unexpected romance and more true stories from German prisoners held in our area.
Dec 10, 2013•18 min
Neon No More: Lincoln Avenue's Motel Row
Here’s the evolution of the Lincoln Avenue motels, from sensible to seedy to retro spectacle.
Oct 31, 2013•11 min
Who's Behind Those Eyes?
The Chicago International Film Festival’s logo has intrigued movie buffs for decades. But is that Charlie Chaplin? Liza Minelli? Here’s the backstory.
Oct 09, 2013•16 min
Should We Use The 'L Word' For Jane Addams?
The Progressive Era activist was many things: a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a social reformer, a feminist. But what about ... a lesbian? And, just why should we know in the first place?
Sep 05, 20130
Where Have All The Old-School Doughnut Shops Gone?
Curious City finds the city’s best doughnut spot, while Dunkin’s former CEO spills the secret to the chain’s growth here.
Aug 21, 2013•8 min
The Sweet Spot At The Top Of Chicago
The area’s so flat that every bunny hill seems a candidate. But it’s sweet (literally) to find the real deal.
Jun 28, 2013•5 min
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