Some restaurants are still adding surcharges of up to 20% to your bill. Should they?
Nearly 11% of eateries taking part in Restaurant Week are adding surcharges to checks. The fees that started during the pandemic are illegal in New York.
Top Stories
Chicago’s top doctor, Allison Arwady, is still standing
Frayed public health leaders left their posts in droves as the pandemic wore on. Not Arwady — she is steeling herself for her next front.
Can the Altgeld Gardens Memorial Wall be saved?
Some residents say the wall serves as a “historic monument” to those who lived in the community. It’s in danger of being demolished.
Vallas gets help in Chicago mayoral bid from controversial ex-CPS board member
Vallas gave back $500 from Deborah Quazzo in 2019, but the businesswoman has donated $7,500 to his campaign in next month’s election.
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How to vote in Chicago’s 2023 municipal elections
How to register to vote, find your polling place and mail your ballot in Chicago’s election for mayor, aldermen and district council races.
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Walking with the victims of Chicago’s gun violence
In the face of the city’s violence, Cecilia Mannion refuses to give up hope. The former gang member relentlessly pursues peace and healing.
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CPS to consider science, social studies marks instead of standardized tests for advancing to the next grade
The district is placing more focus on core subjects and helping students who are falling behind so they aren’t held back.
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What to know about the lawsuits challenging Illinois’ new assault weapons law
The challenges keep coming in reaction to a new state law that gun owners say violates their Second Amendment rights.
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What’s That Building? The Delaware Building
The owners want to convert the office building into apartments, but say McDonald’s is holding up their plan.
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35 Chicago charter schools approved to stay open, but with CPS closely watching over them
Chicago Public Schools renewed contracts for 35 schools on Wednesday, but with shorter term lengths than in the past and new conditions to meet.
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U.S. Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García steps down from congressional committee that oversaw cryptocurrency industry
García has been criticized for accepting donations from a now-federally charged former crypto magnate, but a spokesperson says the congressman stepped down for other reasons.
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The standardized test for students in Illinois gets low marks. Will the state meet a 2025 deadline to fix it?
Most observers say the test doesn’t do much for students or teachers, but advocates worry the state is moving too slowly to make big changes.
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With Ed Burke off the ballot, 14th Ward residents make wish lists for their next alderman
Two candidates are vying to replace Burke on the City Council. One of them has some financial support from Burke’s brother.
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Chicago Chinatowns to strengthen planned security for Lunar New Year parades
Additional security measures will surround Lunar New Year parades this weekend in Chinatown and Uptown in the wake of two California mass shootings.
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From downtown Chicago to the neighborhoods, here’s how the mayoral candidates are vowing to strengthen the city’s economy
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her challengers have focused on how to reduce crime as a way to bolster the city’s economy.
