In one of his first acts as the new 2nd Ward Alderman, Bob Fioretti threatened to stall the second phase of a $750 million plan to raze the CHA's ABLA Homes, part of their multi-billion dollar "Plan for Transformation." After learning that $31 million dollars in expiring tax credits might be lost, he approved $15 million in tax-increment financing, but he vowed that a series of side letters would dictate three things: minority participation at... more ›

It isn't just the folks living in the 12 Wards that are holding Aldermanic runoff elections that are thinking about outcomes today. The aftermath of the vote that is going on as you read this will impact the city for years to come. By the time the polls close tonight, there will be some new aldermen, and others will have held onto their seats. Some will coast to victory, and others will squeak in by... more ›

Let us make one thing clear: Chicagoist loves the kitties. When we're convinced that some unknown force out there has us directly under its thumb, pinning us helplessly against the asphalt, we need only to look deep into our cat's eyes to restore the rightful balance of the universe. And then she goes for the face. That's why we're happy about a seminar going on this weekend concerning the welfare of stray cats in Chicago.... more ›

While Chicago will never become a Tigers town, for this weekend anyway it could become a Tiger town. As in Woods. Tiger Woods joins dozens of other PGA golfers in town this week, as the Medinah Country Club in suburban Medina, IL plays host to this year's PGA Championship -- the final of the four major tournaments. This is the first time that Medinah has hosted the PGA Championship since 1999. Coming off his... more ›

While Chicago isn’t quite the moviemaking mecca that Los Angeles is, there’s no shortage of opportunities for indie filmmakers who want to show their work. One of our favorite film fests is Fast Forward (say that three times fast). Every few months or so, the guys at Fast Forward hold a filmmaking competition wherein participants are given 24 hours to make a film on a given theme (like childhood or alternative endings). The results are... more ›

While Chicago may not be the "First town" of the nation, the babbling rant from the New York Post's gossip columnist Cindy Adams was odd in general, hilarious at best. In a column reminiscent of, oh, the fight over the World's Fair of 1893, the more ›

While Chicago's moving days tend to be May 1 and October 1 (does anyone know why?), today begins moving day for NBA free agents. Their previous seasons' contracts expired at midnight and they are now free to negotiate with other teams. The Bulls are in relatively good shape heading into the free agency period with only minor roll players having unrestricted free agent status. The most notable are Adrian Griffen and Othella Harrington -- neither... more ›

Chicagoist told you a while back that this year's Pritzker Prize would be awarded in Chicago, under the lattice of Frank Gehry's Millennium Park masterpiece, and now we can tell you the name of this year's recipient: L.A.-based architect Thom Mayne. Non-architects among us now likely scratching their heads and wondering who the hell Thom Mayne is. However, the architecture and design communities know him as the founder and creative force behind legendary firm Morphosis,... more ›

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The battle over who really creates the dirty water in Lake Michigan is getting down to who put the doo-doo in the lake. Environmental Protection Agency scientists announced today that they think the cause of high E. Coli levels in Chicago's lake water is a result of animal and bird feces. But North Shore Congressman Mark Kirk isn't taking EPA's, uh, poop. Swinging into action, and using a well-worn Congressional method, on Tuesday Kirk directed the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to produce a special report on "Cheesehead" sewage problems, a.k.a., Milwaukee dumping their doo-doo into Lake Michigan. more ›