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It’s that time of year again! Best of Chicago voting opens Monday, Dec 1 at noon. We’ve received your nominations and created a ballot of the city’s most impressive businesses, community organizers, artists, organizations and more. Now it’s your turn to tell us who makes this city so special!
November 26, 2025 at 10:37 PM
It’s that time of year again! Best of Chicago voting opens Monday, Dec 1 at noon. We’ve received your nominations and created a ballot of the city’s most impressive businesses, community organizers, artists, organizations and more. Now it’s your turn to tell us who makes this city so special!
Grooving across the pages of the People issue is Life of the Party Quimaya Sewell, aka Lil M.U. or Maya Unique. Lil M.U., 25, is a rapper, dancer, DJ, and choreographer who exploded onto the scene with the juke song of the summer “Top of Cars.” Read her story here: chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
November 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Grooving across the pages of the People issue is Life of the Party Quimaya Sewell, aka Lil M.U. or Maya Unique. Lil M.U., 25, is a rapper, dancer, DJ, and choreographer who exploded onto the scene with the juke song of the summer “Top of Cars.” Read her story here: chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
Launched in 2023 in response to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, CARLA utilizes a nurse-staffed referral line to streamline access and care coordination for those requiring hospital-based abortions due to significant medical concerns.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Launched in 2023 in response to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, CARLA utilizes a nurse-staffed referral line to streamline access and care coordination for those requiring hospital-based abortions due to significant medical concerns.
Today she is the program manager for the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA), a collaboration between Chicago Abortion Fund and four local hospitals.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Today she is the program manager for the Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA), a collaboration between Chicago Abortion Fund and four local hospitals.
Kate Palmer is a full-spectrum doula, meaning she supports clients through their reproductive journey regardless of their pregnancy outcome. In 2010, she cofounded the Chicago Doula Circle which supported people undergoing abortions in hospital settings.
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Kate Palmer is a full-spectrum doula, meaning she supports clients through their reproductive journey regardless of their pregnancy outcome. In 2010, she cofounded the Chicago Doula Circle which supported people undergoing abortions in hospital settings.
New issue drop!
On the cover: Our gift guide!
🎨 Amber Huff
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now!
https://bit.ly/48prjMv
On the cover: Our gift guide!
🎨 Amber Huff
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now!
https://bit.ly/48prjMv
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
New issue drop!
On the cover: Our gift guide!
🎨 Amber Huff
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now!
https://bit.ly/48prjMv
On the cover: Our gift guide!
🎨 Amber Huff
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now!
https://bit.ly/48prjMv
In addition to creating replicas for the Field Museum, Lim also plays drums in Chicago’s DIY music scene. She’s played for bands like Civilized Man, Gula Gula and currently drums in the four-piece Shrift. Read her story in this year’s People Issue: chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
In addition to creating replicas for the Field Museum, Lim also plays drums in Chicago’s DIY music scene. She’s played for bands like Civilized Man, Gula Gula and currently drums in the four-piece Shrift. Read her story in this year’s People Issue: chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
Janice Lim works at the Field Museum as head of the replication shop in the exhibitions department. Starting out as a volunteer in 2014, Lim has held many positions at the museum including mount maker, head of the replication shop and department steward for the union she helped organize in 2023.
November 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Janice Lim works at the Field Museum as head of the replication shop in the exhibitions department. Starting out as a volunteer in 2014, Lim has held many positions at the museum including mount maker, head of the replication shop and department steward for the union she helped organize in 2023.
Next up in our People Issue highlight is the Community Builder: Nat Palmer, 24, is a community organizer who grew up in the near west suburbs.
November 24, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Next up in our People Issue highlight is the Community Builder: Nat Palmer, 24, is a community organizer who grew up in the near west suburbs.
Features writer Katie Prout (@katieprout.bsky.social) estimates that at least 26 unhoused Chicagoans have been kidnapped by federal agents since September—but there's often little record of disappearances, making it difficult to tell just how many people have been abducted.
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Features writer Katie Prout (@katieprout.bsky.social) estimates that at least 26 unhoused Chicagoans have been kidnapped by federal agents since September—but there's often little record of disappearances, making it difficult to tell just how many people have been abducted.
Last year, Night Train spearheaded an attempt to break the world record for most hot dogs dropped from a helicopter in an hour at the Joliet Slammers stadium.
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Last year, Night Train spearheaded an attempt to break the world record for most hot dogs dropped from a helicopter in an hour at the Joliet Slammers stadium.
Night Train has worked for the White Sox and Australia’s Big Bash cricket league and last year acquired a majority stake in Joliet’s minor league baseball team, the Slammers, alongside his father and Bill Murray.
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Night Train has worked for the White Sox and Australia’s Big Bash cricket league and last year acquired a majority stake in Joliet’s minor league baseball team, the Slammers, alongside his father and Bill Murray.
South Loop resident William Night Train Veeck is part of a local baseball legacy. While he started helping vendors at the pitch at the age of five, both his father and grandfather have worked in America’s favorite pastime for decades.
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
South Loop resident William Night Train Veeck is part of a local baseball legacy. While he started helping vendors at the pitch at the age of five, both his father and grandfather have worked in America’s favorite pastime for decades.
Our first People Issue highlight is Henry Carlson, our Tradition Keeper. Carlson, 96, is a first-generation Swedish vocalist and accordionist raised on the far northwest side. He stays busy, spending time with family and surrounded by community and culture. chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
November 20, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Our first People Issue highlight is Henry Carlson, our Tradition Keeper. Carlson, 96, is a first-generation Swedish vocalist and accordionist raised on the far northwest side. He stays busy, spending time with family and surrounded by community and culture. chicagoreader.com/city-life/pe...
New issue drop!
On the cover: The People Issue
The Reader's annual celebration of everyday Chicagoans doing extraordinary things through their own words.
📸 Kirk Williamson
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now: https://bit.ly/3K6vFzP
On the cover: The People Issue
The Reader's annual celebration of everyday Chicagoans doing extraordinary things through their own words.
📸 Kirk Williamson
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now: https://bit.ly/3K6vFzP
November 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
New issue drop!
On the cover: The People Issue
The Reader's annual celebration of everyday Chicagoans doing extraordinary things through their own words.
📸 Kirk Williamson
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now: https://bit.ly/3K6vFzP
On the cover: The People Issue
The Reader's annual celebration of everyday Chicagoans doing extraordinary things through their own words.
📸 Kirk Williamson
Pick yours up in person tomorrow or read the PDF now: https://bit.ly/3K6vFzP
Chicago’s bar scene owes a lot to immigrants. The city’s drinking culture was forged in 19th-century saloons and taverns due in large part to German and Irish immigrants.
📸 Box 15, folder 165, Italian American collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois Chicago
📸 Box 15, folder 165, Italian American collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois Chicago
November 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Chicago’s bar scene owes a lot to immigrants. The city’s drinking culture was forged in 19th-century saloons and taverns due in large part to German and Irish immigrants.
📸 Box 15, folder 165, Italian American collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois Chicago
📸 Box 15, folder 165, Italian American collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois Chicago
❤️🔥 Tattoos can be a transformative way to express yourself. Find out which Chicago artist is aiding with ink when the People issue drops November 20!
November 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
❤️🔥 Tattoos can be a transformative way to express yourself. Find out which Chicago artist is aiding with ink when the People issue drops November 20!
Chicagoans are bitter. We’re other things, too: brave, resourceful, imaginative, animated—but we’re bitter as hell. Even our culturally favored liquor is bitter.
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Chicagoans are bitter. We’re other things, too: brave, resourceful, imaginative, animated—but we’re bitter as hell. Even our culturally favored liquor is bitter.
💃 Dance and music are powerful ways of expressing yourself and inspiring others. Find out who’s bringing top tier energy to the function when the People issue drops November 20!
November 16, 2025 at 3:57 PM
💃 Dance and music are powerful ways of expressing yourself and inspiring others. Find out who’s bringing top tier energy to the function when the People issue drops November 20!
✊ Building community takes work—here in Chicago, we keep us safe. Find out who’s rolling up their sleeves in the People issue dropping November 20.
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
✊ Building community takes work—here in Chicago, we keep us safe. Find out who’s rolling up their sleeves in the People issue dropping November 20.
“Chicago’s theater scene has lost a repository of memory, a rigorous standard for artistic excellence, and an ally,” says Melissa Lorraine, cofounder and artistic director of Theatre Y.
Photo Courtesy Beth Adler
Photo Courtesy Beth Adler
November 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
“Chicago’s theater scene has lost a repository of memory, a rigorous standard for artistic excellence, and an ally,” says Melissa Lorraine, cofounder and artistic director of Theatre Y.
Photo Courtesy Beth Adler
Photo Courtesy Beth Adler
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
🥃 Granor hopper rye
🥃 Leatherbee pomme aperitif
🥃 Leatherbee pomme aperitif
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
🥃 Granor hopper rye
🥃 Leatherbee pomme aperitif
🥃 Leatherbee pomme aperitif
🥃 Apologue carrot liqueur
🥃 Cambio tequila reposado
🥃 Cambio tequila reposado
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
🥃 Apologue carrot liqueur
🥃 Cambio tequila reposado
🥃 Cambio tequila reposado
With the holidays approaching, Chicago is awash in interesting, newly released local spirits. Here are a few Reader staff writers Mike Sula and Micco Caporale found to be a great pleasure to sip.
November 13, 2025 at 8:59 PM
With the holidays approaching, Chicago is awash in interesting, newly released local spirits. Here are a few Reader staff writers Mike Sula and Micco Caporale found to be a great pleasure to sip.