What role does the city play in resettling refugees?
Lowell Wyse moved to Chicago’s North Side neighborhood Rogers Park from Kansas, and couldn’t help marveling at the area’s international mix. He wonders what role the city plays in settling …
Chicago’s flower costs, the oldest sidewalk, and why no ketchup on our dogs
Last week, Curious City had its first live event: a trivia bowl! We answered 10 questions from our growing pile. They included: how much does the city spend on ornamental planting, where’s the …
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The better deal: Teachers’ pensions? Social Security?
While the political wrangling over Prairie State retirement systems continues (just Google “Squeezy” and “pensions” for the latest twist), Illinois teacher Milt Walp asks why he doesn’t have have an …
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What’s In A (Neighborhood) Name?
Turns out, a lot goes into the labels Chicagoans slap on their corners of the city. We have two stories about how this plays out, including one by an Edgewater resident who asked why her own ‘hood …
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ListenWhere’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.
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ListenInvestigation timeline: Why pensions instead of Social Security?
Curious citizen Milt Walp is a teacher who’s currently on disability. He’s curious to know why Illinois has its retired government employees rely on a state-funded pension system rather the …
What are elections authorities doing to protect voting?
Officials say paper can have less security concerns, and some are considering a bigger role for the tried-and-true. But they also say touch screen voting machines are still a necessity.
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ListenChuh 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.
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Listen — 22:51How exactly does the city clean ‘the Bean?’
A curious citizen noticed just how dirty Chicago’s most popular sculpture can get. We found that that’s what the artist wanted, despite the hefty cleaning costs.
Investigation timeline: What’s one thing you can get only in Chicago?
A curious citizen wondered: What’s one thing in Chicago you can’t get anywhere else? We’re on the case, but we need you to help us out! Comment on this story or tweet with #onlyinchicago. We’ll be …
