Skip to main content
Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Homepage

Rising Gas Bills Could Exacerbate Hardships for Chicagoans This Winter, Consumer Advocates Warn

Business

Rising Gas Bills Could Exacerbate Hardships for Chicagoans This Winter, Consumer Advocates Warn

A review of the gas market in northern Illinois released by the consumer… Read More

Man Charged in Blue Line Arson Attack Also Accused of Attempted Sexual Assault on CTA in March

Crime & Law

Man Charged in Blue Line Arson Attack Also Accused of Attempted Sexual Assault on CTA in March

Lawrence Reed, 50, is scheduled to be arraigned next week on two counts of… Read More

Plum-Ginger Pie with Whole-Wheat Lattice-Top Crust

coming up

America's Test Kitchen from Cook's Illustrated: Plum and Pear Desserts

Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison make the ultimate Plum-Ginger Pie with Whole-Wheat Lattice-Top Crust. Next, equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top pick for small stand mixers. Finally, test cook Elle Simone makes the perfect Pear Crisp.

Saturday at 2:00 pm

Chicago Works

Firefighting is in the Family for this CFD Battalion Chief

When James Spalla was a little kid growing up in Bridgeport, he looked forward to seeing his Uncle Jack and Uncle Jerry at family parties.

world of food

Christmas Cookies Around the World

It's time to find those recipes handed down through generations, often on faded, handwritten notecards.

Chicago Works

Faking Fire on the Set of Chicago Fire

How does the crew of NBC’s "Chicago Fire" set the scenery on fire every week without burning down the studio?

For parents

Make a Super Snowflake Headband

Making a super snowflake headband is a great way to celebrate the magic of winter and all the fun it brings!

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., joined at left by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters after a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Politics

Senate Rejects Extension of Health Care Subsidies as Costs Set to Rise for Millions of Americans

Senators rejected a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts — an unceremonious end to a monthslong effort by Democrats to prevent the COVID-19-era subsidies from expiring on Jan. 1.

An oval pastry topped with icing and green and red sprinkles on a table with toys

Food

The Kringle: A Wisconsin Specialty by Way of Denmark, with Help from Vienna and Medieval Monks

The buttery oval kringle, filled with fruit, nuts, and sometimes cheese, is an icon of Racine, Wisconsin, whose bakeries even supply national grocery stores with the pastries at the holidays.

A man feeds film through a projector

Chicago Works

The Quiet Artistry of the Music Box Theatre's Projectionists

At Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, two skilled projectionists keep old-school movie magic alive in a quiet booth above the theater.

Children explore the Christmas Around the World exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry

Arts & Entertainment

2025 Chicago Holiday Events Guide

From light shows to plays, sing-alongs and festive pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.

Child with Papel Picado

For parents

Make Your Own Colorful Papel Picado

In “Rosie’s Rules,” when Rosie Fuentes and her family get together for a party, you might notice bright, colorful banners hanging around their home. These banners are made with papel picado, a traditional Mexican folk art, and used for weddings, birthdays, holidays, and parties of all kinds.
Geoffrey Baer

membership

We Love Local Stories

Join Chicago's favorite tour guide in celebrating the rich history of our city! With your financial support, Geoffrey Baer will continue to delight and surprise you with stories about the people and places that make Chicago great! 

Thanks to our sponsors.

Learn about sponsorship opportunities.