Podcasts by Vietmadeco

A Tavern On (Almost) Every Corner: Why Did So Many Chicago Bars Disappear? from 2019-04-06T22:30

Demographic shifts, changes in attitudes towards public drinking and the politics of the Daley family led to the shuttering of many Chicago bars.

BAM! A Pothole Damaged Your Car! Now What? from 2019-03-30T22:33

It takes a lot of information and a lot of patience, but here’s what you need to know to get reimbursed from the city.

These Four Design Ideas Turned ‘The Hancock Center’ Into An Iconic Skyscraper from 2019-03-23T22:30

Bruce Graham and Fazlur Khan changed the way architects and engineers thought about the structure of the modern skyscraper.

Your Guide To Chicago Music History’s Greatest Hits: Part II from 2019-03-16T22:30

Part I of our CliffsNotes guide to Chicago music history included jazz, folk, Latin, and gospel. Here, we present four more genres.

Your Guide To Chicago Music History’s Greatest Hits from 2019-03-09T22:30

A former CPS student wishes kids learned more about Chicago’s rich music history. So here’s a CliffsNotes music guide. Happy listening!

How Do You Find Out If Your Neighborhood Is Contaminated With Lead Pollution? from 2019-03-02T22:00

Northwest Indiana resident Beth Braun wants to know whether lead emissions from the nearby steel mill are landing in her backyard.

What Are Chicago’s Oldest Laws? from 2019-02-23T22:34

Did you know you can’t perform in a window or dye a baby chick? We feature nine of Chicago’s most obscure laws.

From Mickey Mouse To Oprah: What Chicagoans Write In On Election Day from 2019-02-16T22:30

Election judges don’t usually count votes for cartoon mice or celebrities, but there was one exception. We took a peek.

Chicago’s Dill Pickle Club: Where Anarchists Mixed With Doctors And Poets from 2019-02-02T22:30

The Dill Pickle wasn’t just any old 1920s nightclub. It opened its doors to queer Chicagoans and other marginalized groups.

The Gold Star Sardine Bar: The Rise And Fall Of A Chicago Jazz Club from 2019-01-26T22:30

The story of one Chicago grocery store tycoon’s dream for jazz music, movie stars, and bygone glamour.

Buying Black Then And Now: What’s The History Of Black-Owned Business Signs In Chicago? from 2019-01-19T22:00

From boycotts to hashtags, Curious City traces the history of a 150-year-old message urging the black community to support black businesses.

Unlocking The Closet: Coming Out Later In Life from 2019-01-05T22:30

WBEZ’s Tony Sarabia talks with people who came out later in life about how that affected their closest relationships.

VPR’s ‘But Why’: Why Do We Poop And Fart? from 2018-12-29T22:30

A recent episode from VPR’s podcast for curious kids features reporting from Curious City about what happens after you flush the toilet.

Tips For Hunting Chicago’s Long-lost Recipes from 2018-12-22T22:30

The city's top recipe sleuths share their secrets as we recreate a divine, but elusive, fried chicken dish.

A Butcher, A Developer And His Wife: Where Six Chicago Streets Got Their Names (And Pronunciations!) from 2018-12-15T22:03

Hint: If you want a Chicago street named after you, it helps to know a real estate developer — or be married to one! 

Chicago Candidates Need Loads of Petition Signatures To Land On The Ballot, But Is That Fair? from 2018-12-08T22:30

Candidates need to gather and then defend stacks of petition signatures. We break down who this helps and hurts.

Pregnancy Tests? Pigeon Poo? What Chicago Aldermen Really Do from 2018-12-01T22:30

Sure, they pass laws and vote on city budgets. But there’s so much more. Think: Pregnancy tests and pigeon poo.

DEH-vin Or Deh-VOHN? Why The CTA Pronounces Chicago Street Names A Certain Way from 2018-11-24T22:30

The CTA consults lots of sources to decide how to pronounce street names. Take our quiz to find out how your pronunciations match up.

Steak And Lemonade: What Are The Origins Of This Chicago Food Combo? from 2018-11-10T22:30

The beef sandwich and slushy drink are sold together all across the South and West sides. We track down the guy who put the two together.

From Stockyards To Speakeasies: A Chicago Historian Tackles 5 Questions About The City’s History from 2018-10-27T22:20

Dominic Pacyga shares his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago history and answers questions about everything from “gin joints” to stockyards.

How Vacant Chicago Storefronts Rise From The Dead As Halloween Costume Stores from 2018-10-20T22:00

We unearth the business model behind these seasonal shops, and get the scoop on what costumes will be most popular this season.

Why Doesn’t Chicago Have More Co-Op Grocery Stores? from 2018-10-13T22:30

We learn that, despite the current paucity of food co-ops, the city actually has a strong food co-op history — and there may be more on the horizon.

Gone Fishin’: What Happened To Chicago’s Booming Commercial Fishing Industry? from 2018-10-06T22:30

Chicago once had a booming commercial fishing industry. Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp is one of the last vestiges of that industry.

Who Is Billy Sunday In The Popular Sinatra Song, ‘Chicago?’ from 2018-09-29T22:30

Billy Sunday was an influential preacher within the American evangelical movement. How'd he end up in a song sung by Sinatra?

How Political Clout And Union Power Created Chicago’s Lead Water Problem from 2018-09-15T22:00

Chicago continued to use lead pipes long after many cities banned them. We look at the politics and personalities behind it.

Daley vs. Little Italy: Did The Mayor Drop UIC On The Neighborhood Out Of Spite? from 2018-09-08T22:35

Why did Richard J. Daley push for the UIC campus to rise from the heart of a long-standing ethnic neighborhood? In this special Curious City presentation, reporter Monica Eng examines the pervas...

Hidden in Plain Sight: Inside Downtown Chicago's Windowless, Doorless Buildings from 2018-09-01T22:00

Here’s a peek at what goes on inside some of these “mystery buildings” and how their architectural disguises have evolved over the decades.

This Synagogue’s Story Mirrors The History Of Jewish Migration Across Chicago from 2018-08-25T22:12

We trace one synagogue’s migration, from the Maxwell Street neighborhood to North Lawndale to West Rogers Park.

What Happened To The East Chicago Residents Forced Out By Pollution? from 2018-08-18T22:35

More than 1,100 people had to move due to pollution. We follow two of them as they fight to find housing.

What Are The Costs Of Chicago’s Air And Water Show? from 2018-08-11T22:22

The city says the show generates millions of dollars in business. But some listeners wonder whether it’s worth the environmental costs.

Skyscraper Central: Why Are So Many of Chicago's Tallest Buildings Located Downtown? from 2018-08-04T22:30

We find out why downtown became the go-to destination for Chicago’s tallest buildings, and whether that might change in the future.

An Extended Interview With Actor And Improviser T.J. Jagodowski from 2018-07-28T22:30

Lots of famous comedians got their start in Chicago. Actor and improviser T.J. Jagodowski talks with Jimmy Carrane about why that’s the case.

What Officials Are(n't) Doing About Chicago’s Lead Pipes from 2018-07-21T23:35

Chicago has the nation's most extensive network of lead service lines, but city officials say drinking water is safe.

How The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Played Into Chicago’s Rivalry With New York from 2018-07-14T22:30

In this live podcast episode, two actors playing New York and Chicago duke it out over who will host the coveted 1893 World’s Fair.

Why Do Chicago Beaches Ban Flotation Devices? from 2018-07-07T22:00

One Chicagoan wonders why Chicago beaches ban things like rafts and boogie boards. But experts say there's good reason to leave them at home.

How Does Chicago Track Its Coyotes? from 2018-06-30T22:16

Chicago is home to an estimated 2,000 coyotes. To learn how they survive, Curious City joined researchers as they tracked down pups.

Doors Closing! Life As A CTA Rail Operator from 2018-06-23T22:52

Long hours, fatigue, and boredom can be hazards of the job. But former rail operators say there’s a lot to love about driving an 'L' train.

How Pollution Seeped Into The Lives Of East Chicago Residents from 2018-06-16T22:50

When pollution invaded Ezell Foster’s East Chicago neighborhood, he found himself stuck between industry and a bureaucracy.

WPLN’s 'The Promise': A Beautiful Day In The Projects from 2018-06-09T22:52

We curate an episode from WPLN’s podcast, ‘The Promise,’ a series about life in the James Cayce Homes, a public housing complex in Nashville.



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Nerdette: Comedian John Hodgman Really Loves Malört from 2018-06-02T22:40

We curate an episode of the WBEZ podcast, Nerdette, featuring an interview with comedian John Hodgman and the very Chicago story of Malört.

Special Training For School Police: How Do Young People Feel About It? from 2018-05-26T22:11

As lawmakers move to require additional training for police in Illinois schools, five young people weigh in on whether it will make a difference.

Seeing Blue: Will Chicago's New LED Streetlights Do More Harm Than Good? from 2018-05-19T22:31

Do LED lights cause cancer? Can they really reduce crime? One kid is so concerned about LED streetlights that he called Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Sweet Success: How Chicago's Mexican Bakeries Stay Competitive from 2018-05-12T22:00

Lots of Mexican bakeries can be found near one another in neighborhoods like Pilsen. So how do they stay in business?

Which Historical Monuments Have Sparked Controversy In Chicago? from 2018-04-21T22:00

From a statue honoring police to a tribute to Confederate prisoners, these monuments have raised debate over how history is represented.

Map Quest: Searching for Chicago’s ‘Lizard Mound’ from 2018-04-14T22:00

ACurious Cityfan asked us about an odd detail on an old Chicago map. Was it really a Native American burial mound?

Mold-A-Rama-Rama! The Secrets Behind Chicago's Plastic Souvenir Empire from 2018-04-07T22:00

How a Chicago-area family turned cheap plastic souvenirs into a nostalgia empire.

Seeing Red: What’s Up With That Stoplight On North Lake Shore Drive? from 2018-03-31T22:50

The light near Chicago Avenue causes mile-long backups. City officials are proposing a solution, but you might be in traffic for a while.

Picture This: Did The Art Institute of Chicago Ever Rent Out Paintings? from 2018-03-24T23:20

Robert K. Elder would love to decorate the walls in his living room with original paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago. So he was floored when a friend told him that her mom rented two pi...

From Blizzards To Heat Waves: Is It Actually Harder To Predict Weather In Chicago? from 2018-03-17T22:00

Beach weather one day and freezing rain the next: Chicago weather can be unpredictable, but how do we compare to other cities?

Bed Rest And Sputum Tests: Inside Chicago's Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium from 2018-02-28T22:00

Former patients recall the tests, treatments, and trauma nearly 250,000 Chicagoans experienced over the sanitarium's near 60-year-long existence.

How 1920s Chicago Public School Design Reflects Changes In Education from 2018-02-21T22:00

More public elementary schools were built in the 1920s than in any other era. Their design reflected new ideas about child development and health.

Not In Your Front Yard: Why ‘For Sale’ Signs Are Banned In Oak Park from 2018-02-17T21:55

The village insists a decades-old rule to ...

How Often Do People Defend Themselves With A Gun? from 2018-02-10T22:00

For more than 20 years, researchers have tracked how often Americans defend themselves with a gun. So why can’t they agree on an answer?

What's It Like To Live In Chicago's Loop? from 2018-02-03T22:00

A family, a dog owner and tenants of a men's hotel explain why the Loop offers a sense of community amid the hustle and bustle.

What Makes Chicago A Destination For Improv? from 2018-01-27T23:25

Eight improvisers who got their start in Chicago explain what draws so many aspiring funny people to the city’s improv scene.

What Happens To The Lincoln Park Zoo Animals In The Winter? from 2018-01-20T18:00

Do the animals go somewhere warm, like Florida? Does the zoo give them coats? We took a behind-the-scene tour of the zoo to find out.

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Why Aren't There More Statues Of Women In Chicago? from 2018-01-13T22:00

Statues of historic men can be found throughout Chicago’s parks and plazas. But one Curious Citizen wonders, "Where are all the women?"

What’s With That Demolition Dust? The Rules And Risks Of Residential Teardowns In Chicago from 2018-01-05T16:44:18

Tearing down an old home can release dust containing asbestos or lead. Curious City found that Chicago rarely enforces laws meant to minimize contaminant exposure.

Curious City: The Mystery Collection from 2017-12-30T22:00

Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.

Blacksmiths: The 'Plastic Surgeons' On Chicago's Payroll from 2017-12-23T22:00

The City of Chicago employs 20 full-time blacksmiths. But what do they do? And what's with the ancient job title?

Are Taxpayers Footing The Bill For Patriotic Tributes At College Games? from 2017-12-16T22:00

A 2015 Senate investigation found that the DOD did in fact pay college sports teams to stage patriotic tributes at games. Curious City finds out whether they still do.

What Would You Do With A Million Dollars? Whether Participatory Budgeting Is Worth The Effort from 2017-12-09T22:00

Some wards vote on how to spend some taxpayer money. Does it help spread the wealth or is it just a feel-good exercise?

So, Why Did It Take So Long For It To Be Mayor Jane Byrne's Turn? from 2017-12-02T22:00

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?

Don't Believe The Height! Why Chicago Suburb Names Flat Out Lie About Their Elevation from 2017-11-05T09:00

From Chicago Heights to Mount Prospect, here's why Chicago suburb names flat out lie about their elevation.

Why Chicago's Chinatown Is Practically Invisible On Apartment Rental Sites from 2017-10-29T08:00

The listings are there — just in Chinese. Is this a form of discrimination, or a way to preserve a neighborhood's character?

Cycling In Cemeteries? Why Some Chicago Graveyards Are Changing Their Rules About Bicycles from 2017-10-22T08:00

The answer has to do with shifting ideas about bikes and the proper way to mourn the dead.

Which Natural Disasters Are Most Likely To Hit Chicago? from 2017-10-15T09:00

The good news is Chicago probably won’t be hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. But the area is becoming more vulnerable to other disasters.

Do Chicago’s Arab And African-American Muslims Share Mosques? If Not, Why Not? from 2017-10-08T09:00

Chicago area Muslim leaders weigh in, and they open up about what divides and unites the community.

Forest Foresight: Who Created The Cook County Forest Preserves? from 2017-10-01T08:00

Architect Dwight Perkins' ambitious plan to save Chicago's natural landscapes raised a question: Which kinds of nature deserve to be preserved?

Who Came Up With The Iconic Chicago White Sox Look? from 2017-09-24T09:00

The brainchild of a 22-year-old executive, the White Sox look hit a home run with fans and, half a century later, rappers.

Baring It All: Why Boys Swam Naked In Chicago High Schools from 2017-09-10T09:00

John Connors says swimming naked in high school gym class was “torture.”Curious Citylooks at why schools enforced the policy for decades.

Chicago's Forgotten Civil War Prison Camp from 2017-09-03T08:30

Camp Douglas’ deadly reputation was kept in shadows but now there’s a surprising movement to bring it to light.

Push Carts, Popsicles, And Patience: How To Be A Paletero In Chicago from 2017-08-27T09:00

Being a paleta vendor may seem like a sweet life, but we learned that selling Mexican popsicles is anything but a walk on the beach.

City Of Big Agriculture: Here Are The Crops Chicago Was Once Famous For from 2017-08-20T09:00

The city deserves cred as an industrial giant, but it was also the first city of flowers, a pickle powerhouse and the heart of American celery.

What Happened To Chicago’s Japanese Neighborhood? from 2017-08-13T09:00

Lake View once had a thriving Japanese community, but it fell victim to a push for assimilation. As one Japanese-American puts it: “You had to basically be unseen.”

Chicago Bathhouses: A Century Of Sanitation, Sex And Sweat from 2017-08-06T09:00

A quick tour of places where residents would chill, get clean and — sometimes — get down.

Is Notoriously Segregated Chicago Becoming More Integrated? from 2017-07-30T09:00

On paper, Chicago is more integrated than it was a few decades ago. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Carl Sandburg's Chicago: The Places, People, And Events That Shaped His Writing from 2017-07-23T09:00

From 1912 to 1930, the famous poet and writer lived and worked in the Chicago area. Step back in time to experience Sandburg's Chicago.

Why Chicago Lightning Bugs Light Up One Neighborhood But Not the Next from 2017-07-16T09:00

A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, just really, really fickle.

How Chicago Beaches Get and Keep That Nice Fine Sand from 2017-07-09T09:00

Here’s why you shouldn’t take that "sand between your toes" experience for granted!

Chicago's Best Stargazing Spots from 2017-07-02T09:00

Chicago's notorious light pollution hides the stars, but here's where you have a fighting chance to peek at the heavens.

Welcome Back, Otters: Could The River Otter Call Chicago's Loop Home? from 2017-06-25T09:00

Forty years ago, it would have been nearly impossible to find an otter in Illinois, never mind Chicago. Today, could they be here to stay?

The Meaning Of Boystown: A Conversation About Chicago's LGBTQ Neighborhood from 2017-06-18T09:00

A multi-generational panel talks about what the neighborhood means to them and where they see its future.

Chicago's Architectural Clues Reveal How We Live from 2017-06-11T09:00

We look ate...

Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil from 2017-05-28T09:00

Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?

Rubber Stamp Aldermen: Why Does Chicago City Council Always Vote For What The Mayor Wants? from 2017-05-21T09:00

Most aldermen almost always vote with the mayor, but that's starting to change.

City Of Big Potholes: Is Asphalt The Best Choice For Chicago's Streets? from 2017-05-14T08:59

In the past decade the city paid out nearly $3 million drivers whose cars were damaged by poor road conditions. Is asphalt to blame?

Boystown: How Chicago Got Its Gay Neighborhood from 2017-05-07T09:00

Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, butthere's a debate about its future.<...

Curious City: What Happens To Food On Cancelled Flights? from 2017-04-30T09:00

When a flight gets cancelled, it's not only travel plans that get trashed.

Curious City: The Nazis' Neighborhood from 2017-04-23T09:00

Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In thisspecial Curious City mini-documentary and online presen...

How A Rat Balloon From Suburban Chicago Became A Union Mascot from 2017-04-19T09:00

Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started in Chicago’s historically blue-collar suburbs.

Safer, Faster, Smarter? The Road Ahead For Illinois' High-Tech Highway from 2017-04-09T09:00

Officials say the Jane Addams Tollway will soon be faster, safer and smarter. But will it deliver?

First Responder: Why Do Fire Trucks Often Arrive Before Ambulances For Medical Emergencies? from 2017-04-02T09:00

Medical calls outnumber fire calls 20 to one in Chicago. So why does the city own so many more fire trucks than ambulances?

The Meteorologist’s Climate Change Dilemma from 2017-03-26T09:00

Tom Skilling explains why most TV meteorologists don't talk about climate change, but should.

Are there fallout shelters left in Chicago? from 2017-03-19T09:00

There are plenty, but let's just say they're not ready for a nuclear apocalypse.

Searching for Chicago’s Most Family-Packed Neighborhoods from 2017-03-12T07:49

A prospective Chicago parent wants to know where he could be within door-knocking distance of other families with kids. So we mapped them.

Deconstructing The Chicago-Style Hot Dog from 2017-03-05T09:00

Chicago-style hot dogs are a beloved culinary masterpiece: A snappy all-beef wiener, steamed poppy seed bun, yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-green relish, two slices of tomato, a dill pickl...

Out In The Cold: Where Do Chicago’s Homeless Go In The Winter? from 2017-02-26T09:00

Coffee shops, hospital waiting rooms and train cars are a few of the places Chicago’s homeless go to escape the cold.

Chickens and Goats and Pigs, Oh My! Chicago’s Backyard Livestock Laws from 2017-02-19T08:00

After her neighbor adopted five goats, Jeanne Cuff wondered about Chicago's livestock laws.

'Gratest' Fear: The Psychology Behind Chicago’s Sidewalk Grates from 2017-02-05T11:42

Sidewalk grates make people feel uneasy. An anxiety expert said this uneasiness is rooted in something much deeper.

Korean Chicken Wings: Spicy, Crispy, Saucy And Totally Chicago from 2017-01-29T09:00

Two Albany Park chefs fused Chinese and Korean flavors, giving birth to the chicken lollipop.

“Who’s Your Chinaman?”: The Origins Of An Offensive Piece Of Chicago Political Slang from 2017-01-15T08:45

Complete with video and archival images,Listen

Icebreakers Of The Chicago River: How Bubblers, Boats And Brawn Keep The City Safe Each Winter from 2017-01-08T09:00

How bubblers, ...

Curious City Live: This Show Was A Disaster! from 2017-01-02T02:36

In this special podcast episode, Curious City presents three Chicago disaster stories as told at the Old Town School of Folk Music on March 30, 2016. Inspired by questions posed from Chic...

O'Hare's Ghost: Whatever Happened to Terminal 4? from 2016-12-25T09:00

The area’s premier airport sports Terminals 1, 2, 3 and ... 5. What gives?

The Willis Tower In 150 Years: Adapted, Demolished or Abandoned? from 2016-12-18T08:22

What will happen to the Willis Tower in 150 years? In this special Curious City presentation, producer Jesse Dukes and the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s Jen Masengarb envision three fu...

When Church Meets State: Picking Apart Prayer in Aurora’s City Council from 2016-12-04T09:01

Aurora leads council meetings with prayer, and it sometimes raises eyebrows.Listen

City Beautiful? Why Some Chicago Neighborhoods Have Viaduct Art and Others Don't from 2016-11-27T09:30

Murals beautify some viaducts, while others are left bare and dirty. Why the disparity?

The Swinging Times of Chicago's Revolving Doors from 2016-11-11T04:14

Tempted to ignore the revolving door? Here are the revolutions that made the city a magnet for this seemingly simple device.

Do Lotto Dollars Really Fund Education? from 2016-11-06T09:09

Schools are really crimped for cash. Hold up, wasn’t the lottery supposed to help with that?

Second City: The Origins of Chicago’s One-way Rivalry with New York from 2016-10-30T10:00

There was a time Chicago gave New York a run for its money.Listen

Fighting For Scraps: What It Would Take For Chicago To Get Citywide Composting from 2016-10-23T11:40:20

Minneapolis and San Fran do it. Even Oak Park’s got a program. What gives?Listen

From Rust to Repurposed: A Second Life for Chicago’s Abandoned Bikes from 2016-10-16T11:16

That sorry-looking bike on the curb could end up in the hands of a local kid or even a family overseas. Full story with additional interviews and photos: http://wbez.is/2dgqDAf...

From Rails to Trails: The Economic Impact of Chicago’s Repurposed Railways from 2016-10-02T10:46:30

As The 606 stokes fears of economic displacement, the city wants to repurpose more rail lines. What's the state of research on this?

The Painters Who Give Chicago's Grocery Signs The Human Touch from 2016-09-11T09:00

Craftsmanship and economics combine ...

Zeppelin Poseurs: Why Chicago's Airship Dreams Never Took Off from 2016-08-08T10:14:02

In the 1920s, the city was head over ...

A Tale of Resale: How Big Chains’ Produce Ends Up in Local Grocery Stores from 2016-07-31T04:33

When one Chicago...

Getting to the Bottom of Lake Michigan's Legendary 'Shark Attack' from 2016-07-01T17:00

Rumor has it a young George Lawson was attacked by a shark while swimming at a Chicago beach in 1955. Listen

What Killed The Cook County Fair? from 2016-06-06T05:25

Before it fizzled out, the summer shindig’s blue ribbons, plump ...

The Killing Of Fred Goree: A White Cop, A Buick And Segregation In The Age Of Negro League Baseball from 2016-05-30T00:00

Sisters seekListen

Escape From Chicago: How Long Would It Take to Evacuate? from 2016-05-23T06:00

The city’s cagey on estimates, but suggests you bring your best walking shoes.

Mixed Signals: Do Chicago's Crosswalk Buttons Actually Work? from 2016-05-16T06:00

The city’s pushing pedestrian-friendly design, but Listen

Why Chicago BYOBs Like Nobody’s Business from 2016-05-09T05:37

Combine gangster-era liquor laws with a twist of modern creativity, add a dash of laid-back spirit, and you’ve got a cocktail that makesListen

Chicago’s Killer View: The Skyline’s Toll On Migratory Birds from 2016-05-02T06:26

Each migratory season leaves a flurry of birds dead at the feet of skyscrapers. But does that make a dent in the bird population?

Illinois Has No Budget, So Where Do State Tax Dollars Go, Anyway? from 2016-04-11T06:00

The answers are crazy. We’ll have fun looking. But you’ll probably be pretty mad by the end. Things are worse than you thought.

The bad news:We’re paying out billions more than w...

Have We Hit Peak Mattress? Why Chicago Has So Many Mattress Stores from 2016-03-14T07:00

If this retail mystery’s keeping you up at night,Listen

Chicago Architects: Why the City’s New Buildings Don’t Look Like Its Classics from 2016-03-07T05:52

Today’s Chicago architects answer why they build the way they do, and to what degree their inspiration comes from the city’s past.Full story, with phot...

What Happened to Chicago's Rifle Ranges? from 2016-02-05T14:43

Rifle sport shooting was once so popular in the city that even ComEd and schools had competitive teams. Today, there's not a range in sight.

That Time Chicago Sent a Trainload of Snow to Florida from 2016-01-15T14:29

How one girl’s dream for a snow day came true during the infamous blizzard of 1967.

The Fall of Chicago's 'Porkopolis' and the Rise of Niche Meat from 2015-12-23T12:48

The city was once the nation’s meatpacking powerhouse. What, if anything, is left?

Ferry-tale: Could a Chicago-to-Michigan Ferry Return from Extinction? from 2015-12-11T16:07

Lake Michigan was once a passenger steamer superhighway. Could a Chicago-to-Michigan route make a comeback?

Fare Game: When do CTA Buses Break Even? from 2015-11-20T16:20

A look at how many riders it takes to make a bus profitable.

'Poland elsewhere': Why So Many Poles Came to Chicago from 2015-10-30T16:32

How generation after generation of Polish families made the city into a'Poland elsewhere.'

Can Chicago Brag about the Size of its Polish Population? from 2015-10-26T09:28

A Grabowski team of demographA Grabowski team of demographers help us test the city’s claim of having the most Poles outside Poland.ers help us test the city’s claim of having the most Poles out...

Shadow City: How Chicago Became the Country's Alley Capital from 2015-10-10T16:55

How Chicago became the alley capital of the country and why so much of the rest of the region is conspicuously alley-free.

Nice Pipes: The Inner Workings of Buckingham Fountain from 2015-09-04T14:52

The lowdown on how the fountain shoots water so high, and why it was built to impress in the first place.

Beyond Deep-Dish: Exploring Chicago's Other Native Foods from 2015-09-02T17:09

A list of meaty, messy and often obscure city originals that's meant to get you out of your comfort zone.

Mystery Boat: Alone and Idle in a Waterlogged Corner of Chicago from 2015-08-26T15:02

Ever see this rusty old freighter off the Bishop Ford Expressway? Its backstory says a lot about the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Where are Chicago's Poor White Neighborhoods? from 2015-08-12T17:00

Poverty touches all races in Chicago, but it's more visible among blacks and Latinos. Here's why that happens and why it matters.

Shoes on a Wire: Untangling an Urban Myth from 2015-08-05T17:13

From teenage mischief to possible drug markets, a search for the real reasons sneakers end up on power lines.

What Really Happens to Chicago's Blue Cart Recycling? from 2015-07-01T17:18

The program is no sham, but a good number of recyclables still head to landfills.

In Chicago, Eternal Rest Ain't So Eternal from 2015-06-17T19:08

Beyond The Rattle And Clatter: When The CTA 'L' Is Your Neighbor from 2015-06-10T13:31

Living near the CTA means life in a rattling fishbowl, but some Chicagoans adapt.

The unsung hero of urban planning who made it easy to get around Chicago from 2015-05-20T12:52

Unsung urban planning hero Edward Brennan tamed a chaotic 19th-century street-numbering system.

Were Chicago's Public Schools Ever Good? from 2015-05-13T17:50

We start an era-by-era search for the district’s‘golden age’ and wonder: Could it be right now?

The Legacy Of Michael Jordan In Chicago from 2015-04-01T11:33

The city rode high when‘His Airness’ played for the Bulls. But what did he leave behind?

The Rise of Casimir Pulaski Day from 2015-02-25T15:22

How Chicago’s Polish community won a Revolutionary War hero a holiday ... in a state he never stepped in.

No Conspiracy Required: The True Origins Of Chicago's February Elections from 2015-02-18T17:13

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.

When Will Chicago Get Its Next Supertall Skyscraper? from 2015-01-28T17:00

A Chinese developer wants to alter the city skyline and break a dry spell in a field we once dominated.

When is Chicago-area Traffic the Worst? from 2015-01-09T10:40

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. 

Wherefore art thou Romeoville? from 2014-12-29T14:40

The Chicago suburbs of Romeoville and Joliet were once named Romeo and Juliet. We explored why.

Weird And Wonderful Things You Might Not Know About Chicago from 2014-12-23T15:35

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!

Could Truant Officers Return To Chicago Public Schools? from 2014-11-13T16:40

A state task force likes the idea, but one former officer says the proposed job description could be a bit too much.

Campus police: real deal or rent-a-cops? from 2014-11-05T16:26

Our case study: The U of C, where a private force polices 65,000 Chicagoans on and off campus.

We Ain't Afraid Of No (Chicago) Ghosts! from 2014-10-29T19:57

What makes these notable ghost stories tick? Even if you don’t believe them, you’ll never forget them.

Real Estate And Religion: The Tale Of Seventeenth Church Of Christ, Scientist from 2014-10-22T18:03

How a modest congregation at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist built and maintained an improbably cool concrete oasis in such an improbable location. 

Chicago Without The Fire from 2014-10-06T08:35

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 suc...

A Second Act For The Uptown Theater? from 2014-09-19T15:58

As Chicago's former grand movie palace turns 90, the question remains: What can be done to restore it? 

Two neighboring states, one big financial gap from 2014-08-27T22:28

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?

A Shot Of History: Ingredients Of The Chicago Speakeasy from 2014-08-07T17:01

The faux speakeasy is popping up everywhere these days, but what made the original Prohibition saloon work?

Compare: Illinois Governor Candidates' Views On Concealed Carry from 2014-03-12T19:02

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 an...

How Much Road Salt Ends Up In Lake Michigan? from 2014-03-05T12:45

Now that our wicked winter’s ending, we look at whether there’s any fallout from flinging so much salt around.

Just How Bad Is This Chicago Winter? from 2014-02-05T06:39

This winter has felt like one for the ages, but is it really one of Chicago’s worst?

Gulp! How Chicago Gobbled Its Neighbors from 2014-01-27T14:26

Our animated map shows how Chicago grew from lakeside outpost to booming metropolis over the course of a century.

Hosting the enemy: Our WWII POW camps from 2013-12-10T15:36

Daring escapes, unexpected romance and more true stories from German prisoners held in our area.

Neon No More: Lincoln Avenue's Motel Row from 2013-10-31T17:04

Here’s the evolution of the Lincoln Avenue motels, from sensible to seedy to retro spectacle.

Who's Behind Those Eyes? from 2013-10-09T16:09

The Chicago International Film Festival’s logo has intrigued movie buffs for decades. But is that Charlie Chaplin? Liza Minelli? Here’s the backstory.

Should We Use The 'L Word' For Jane Addams? from 2013-09-05T17:03

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?

Where Have All The Old-School Doughnut Shops Gone? from 2013-08-21T15:22

Curious City finds the city’s best doughnut spot, while Dunkin’s former CEO spills the secret to the chain’s growth here.

The Sweet Spot At The Top Of Chicago from 2013-06-28T11:36

The area’s so flat that every bunny hill seems a candidate. But it’s sweet (literally) to find the real deal.

Working For Change On Chicago’s Sidewalks from 2013-06-06T11:26

Curious City tracks down the average wages of panhandlers and street performers in Chicago.

Being A Breadwinner On $8.25 An Hour from 2013-05-21T16:00

A listener who hustles to make ends meet wants us to think about people who hustle for even less.

So, What’s (Still) Made In The Chicago Area? from 2013-05-20T17:31

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.

Chicago Diners, Side Of Extra Crispy Stories from 2013-05-14T18:12

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.

The Story Of Dunning, A 'Tomb For The Living' from 2013-04-30T07:35

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.

Laugh Your Troubles Away from 2013-02-19T16:44

A Curious Citizen’s question becomesyour ticket to our multimedia playgr...

Hmmm ... If Only Our Curiosity Had An Anthem from 2013-02-13T13:19

A Chicago transplant asked what— if anything— is unique to Chicago. Answers were slippery, but our songster grabbed the best and wrote a song.

What Happened to Nike Missile Sites Around Chicago? from 2013-01-22T16:22

Cold War Chicago was once peppered with nuclear missiles ready to thwart a Soviet attack.

Is Construction Work A Boon For Chicago's Urban Archaeologists? from 2013-01-16T08:30

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 fro...

Who settles refugees on Chicago's North Side? from 2013-01-08T15:40

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?

How Much Of The Field Museum’s Collection Is Actually On Display? from 2013-01-03T16:35

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 internationalListen

Why Ban Pickups from Lake Shore Drive? Where Can They Park in Chicago? from 2013-01-01T10:13

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 ...

How Has Chicago’s Coastline Changed Over The Decades? from 2012-12-11T13:15

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 mu...

Where’s Chicago's Biodiversity Hotspot? from 2012-11-07T11:26

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...

Chuh Kaw Go, What Do You Really Sound Like? from 2012-10-23T18:07

What is a Chicago accent and what do Chicagoans really sound like? Sound off with your phone and become part of the linguistic record.

Chuh Kaw Go, What Do You Really Sound Like? from 2012-10-23T18:07

What is a Chicago accent and what do Chicagoans really sound like? Sound off with your phone and become part of the linguistic record.

Chuh Kaw Go, What Do You Really Sound Like? from 2012-10-23T18:07

What is a Chicago accent and what do Chicagoans really sound like? Sound off with your phone and become part of the linguistic record.