WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

A curious listener asked why he saw an aviary at O'Hare Airport. After forwarding photos to O’Hare’s Special Projects Coordinator, we learned that this “aviary” is not an aviary at all — it’s a trap for an invasive species of bird. Their fate? Not so kind.

A tip from a Curious City fan helps clarify just what the heck city leaders were thinking when they gave South Side streets numbers. 

When Evanstonian Mark Sheldon inquired why streets on the city’s North Side are named and streets on the South Side are numbered, who better to ask than our esteemed cadre of Chicago historians? Admittedly, I thought they would have the answer at the ready. “Oh yes, of course, the great street mystery! I know why.” Not so fast...

Curious City participant and recent Chicago-transplant Derek Stiles wanted to join a softball league. But when he saw people playing the sport without gloves and with a gigantic ball, he couldn't help but wonder what in the heck he was seeing.    

 The Chicago Transit Authority recently proposed cutting a dozen bus lines and adding service on others. So this question by Curious City participant Corinne Creswell seemed perfectly timed: Elston doesn’t have a bus line. What factors lead to bus routes being added or removed? We find out.

We’re cleaning out a fridge-full of summer-themed questions that we’d hate to see rot in our archive. Learn how Chicagoans beat the heat before AC, where you can surf on the lake and why you should know what the yellow flags on the beaches signal. 

 A Chicago Alderman is calling for city council to renegotiate the recently passed mobile food truck ordinance in part because the repurcussions on ice cream trucks were not taken into consideration.