Spring 2023 art and culture guide: Find nearly 60 concerts, plays and more
Chicago has an abundance of cultural offerings this season. Here are the don’t-miss events in music, theater and opera, dance, art and flowers.
Top Stories
Black girl friendships at the heart of Disney’s made-in-Chicago skating show ‘Saturdays’
Set on the South Side, the series is produced by Marsai Martin (“black-ish”) and centers around a trio of teen girls determined to become the best at their skating rink.
How Paul Vallas went from a shy childhood to Chicago’s mayoral runoff
In his years in the public limelight, Paul Vallas has developed a reputation for accessibility — and wonk.
Brandon Johnson’s rise from relative unknown to mayoral contender was guided by his faith
The middle child of 10 and a pastor for a father, Johnson chose public service instead of church leadership, and his faith guides that path still.
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Chicago State University faculty inch closer to a strike
Professors at the state’s only majority-Black public university are some of Illinois’ lowest paid.
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An elusive former top aide offers an inside look at how Michael Madigan wielded power
Will Cousineau took the witness stand after securing letters from the feds granting him immunity and making clear he’s not a target of an investigation.
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Illinois Democrats spending big to combat ‘extremist conservatives’ in school board races
As outside conservative support grows in school board races, the Democratic Party of Illinois for the first time is investing in these local races.
‘We nearly broke the system’: Hospitals face staff exodus, violence three years into pandemic
Three years after COVID struck, Chicago area hospitals struggle with staff exodus and patient violence in a brave new medical world.
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I want those three years back!
Mae Whitman tells us about starring in Hulu’s new musical series ‘Up Here.’ Plus, has it really been three years of COVID?!
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What’s That Building? Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point, Indiana
Indiana in the 1920s and ’30s was a hotspot for impromptu weddings, with a courthouse near the state line seeing about 6,000 Chicago couples every year.
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The Board of Education says now is the time to avoid a $600 million CPS deficit
Federal pandemic relief funding has papered over long-standing issues, but that money is set to run out in two years.
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Nicole Lee and Anthony Ciaravino face off in Chicago’s first Asian-majority ward
Chicago Chinatown leaders fought for representation in City Council but two candidates face off in the 11th Ward runoff — one Asian and one white.
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Rising rents pushed these first-time Latino homebuyers to take the plunge
Despite high mortgage rates and a dearth of affordable starter houses, these families saw the upside of making the investment now.
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Medical debt is devastating Illinois families, a new report shows
A proposed state law would mandate that hospitals screen uninsured patients for financial help.
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West African cuisine is having a moment. A local expert showed us how to make her jollof.
The iconic rice dish triggers Twitter wars over which country’s version is best. Liberia has our vote.
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How to vote in the Chicago area’s April 4 municipal election
Chicago voters are picking a new mayor. Suburban residents could be selecting new office holders for everything from school to library boards.
