Column

Matt Eberflus isn’t a good head coach. You know it. I know it. Hopefully Ryan Poles now knows it, Marc Silverman writes

About 6% of adults owe more than $1,000 and about 3 million people have medical debt exceeding $10,000.

The Democratic legislative leaders are still trying to figure out what their members want to do in the wake of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s victory and whether that can be done.

Successfully arguing to spend an extra $60 million seems to necessarily include showing how much more K-12 spending would need to increase if all the kids on the waiting list don’t start getting help until kindergarten.

The most famous shipwreck in Great Lakes history is the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. Seventeen years before, another November storm also claimed a heralded freighter, with an even greater casualty total.

Crime TV is my thing. In particular, it’s the murder investigations that hold my interest most

It has been a year of upgrades and progress for the St. Charles Park District.

A look at headlines from years passed.

Making these types of choices comes with the responsibility of elected office.

Raoul: 'By putting tips toward driver pay, DoorDash could get away with contributing as little as $1 toward a worker’s pay and allow tips to make up the rest.'

Dysfunction is back at Halas Hall like a seasonal Chicago snowstorm, Marc Silverman writes

'On any given night in Illinois, an estimated 11,947 people are living in shelters and transitional housing programs, in parks and abandoned buildings, in cars and in barns'

Veterans bring a variety of qualifications to roles in law enforcement

They may not have been the prettiest ships in the fleet. However, Landing Ship Tanks performed invaluable service in World War II, particularly on D-Day.

"As we celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have bravely served in our nation’s armed forces, my hope is that people will not just appreciate the holiday as a day off from work or a day of remembrance," state Sen. Craig Wilcox of McHenry writes.

While saluting service is appropriate and important, proper care is a permanent commitment backed by legislation, oversight and investment.

How can we make this Thanksgiving extra special and create lasting memories as we choose what’s going on the table for this special day?

A little-known and rarely publicized provision in Illinois law, in place for over 44 years, allows most homestead exemptions from real estate taxes to apply to single-family dwellings occupied by tenants, provided that the tenant is responsible for paying the real estate tax.

Illinois isn’t facing a $3 billion deficit. With more than eight months remaining in the current fiscal year and pencils barely sharpened on the fiscal 2026 budget, there remains plenty of time for better data and more informed choices.

In a season Bears GM Ryan Poles claimed, “It’s time to win” and the Bears instead take us on another rollercoaster ride, Poles must do some self scouting. If he doesn’t, it won’t just be coach Matt Eberflus on the hot seat

Send an email. Follow social media. Sign up for a newsletter. Get on a mailing list. Legislators are theoretically accountable to everyone but in reality much more so to people they know and hear from regularly.

As usual, plenty of false claims have been made during this state legislative election cycle.

It’s exactly 16 weeks until the consolidated primary election on Feb. 25.

Throughout American history, a surprising number of presidential races have been decisive, even lopsided.

Like so many others, Charles Rudolph Walgreen became forever attached to Dixon, a historic endearing town by the Rock River. Even though he acquired more wealth and business success than any other person in Dixon history, he remained attached to Dixon throughout his life.

The St. Charles Park District has partnered with All Things Art Studio for four expert-led programs that explore a variety of media.

If more people try to understand methods, trends and benchmarks that increases the possibilities for using the report as fuel for continued improvement.

Ranked choice allows a broadly acceptable compromise at the expense of more extreme and polarizing options.

Lovie Smith built a culture. He took a team to the Super Bowl. He was let go by the Bears. If you can do that, you can part ways with Matt Eberflus, Marc Silverman writes

There are just a few steps between announcing plans to introduce a bill and watching the governor put pen to paper.

These questions don’t have easy answers, but asking them helps move our state forward.

One of the most important legislative debates next year will be about reforming, restructuring and finding a way to fund northeast Illinois’ public transportation system.

Kishwaukee United Way received an increase in program funding for the Digital Crossover program through Comcast and Exelon, a combined total of $12,000. The funds will go to decrease the digital gap in DeKalb households by offering supportive services, writes Michele Vaughn.

Oct. 30 marks the 86th anniversary of the national radio broadcast of “The War of the Worlds,” which was misunderstood by many listeners as an actual attack on Earth by Martians. An estimated 9 to 12 million Americans were frightened by the broadcast on Oct. 30, 1938.

The Department of Health and Human Services says investments in these centers have helped reduce homelessness, substance abuse and reliance on emergency rooms and hospitalization, all of which ease tension on the social safety net.

No-School Nature Days at Hickory Knolls Farm give kids a chance to be entertained and educated without screens.

Quite a bit of administering a government happens between seemingly interminable campaign cycles, and a key to understanding the next election is observing what incumbents do when they’re not on the stump.

Out of the bye, Marc Silverman has the Bears at 6-5 the rest of the way, with wins against the Commanders, Cardinals, Patriots, Seahawks, and a 2-4 record against the division

Pro soccer doesn’t maintain nearly the same stature in the civic pride firmament as other major sports, but that could change with a Fire franchise owned and operated by a local guy.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon continues piling up campaign money. His latest quarterly report for his personal campaign committee showed Harmon had $13.4 million in the bank, up almost $2 million from the previous quarter.

Another takeaway – regardless of whether a jury decides Madigan was corrupt – is the political importance of leading without becoming poisonous.

Most consider football to be the most popular spectator sport in the United States. But in the 1930s, corn-husking provided some stiff competition.

There are plenty of fall-related activities at the St. Charles Park District throughout the rest of October.

No idea should be off the table. Think beyond trains and large fixed-route buses to paratransit and potentially even subsidized taxi service. Explore how community planning and civil engineering might evolve to increase the efficiency of public transportation.

From late summer into fall, Kane County suffered a drought, with hot, cloudless skies, wilted flower beds, paled lawns and baked streets.

The greatest service organization in the world is arguably Rotary International, with 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members in over 166 countries. An Illinois native was one of the four co-founders of Rotary.

Sarah Boettcher is a junior at Naperville North High School. She is responsible for KnowYourStateJudges.org, a new website that helps voters outside of Cook County cast informed ballots in judicial elections.

We saw it last year with Connor Bedard. Kris Bryant, Derrick Rose, Patrick Kane, and Jonathan Toews wowed us early and often. They were destined for stardom immediately. Add Caleb Williams to the list, Marc Silverman writes

“Long” John Wentworth, who died this day in 1888, served six terms in Congress representing Chicago – first as a Democrat, then a Republican – and among a legendary career played a role in formally ending the border dispute with Wisconsin.

“Some of the same individuals who claim to support an elected representative school board only got the gospel once I became mayor of Chicago,” Mayor Johnson told reporters during one of the most combative and counter-productive press conferences I have ever seen.