Chicago Reader

11/26/2025

Despite pushback from 68 organizations and other voices, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to significantly expand the breadth and reach of the county’s law enforcement agencies as part of Toni Preckwinkle’s $10 billion spending plan.

In all, more than 56 percent of the county’s general fund is earmarked for the public safety system—which encompasses the Cook County Department of Corrections, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and the various facets of the county court system. The $1.5 billion allocated for law enforcement in 2026 represents an increase of more than $300 million, or about 30 percent, from the previous year, driven mostly by personnel costs.

Read the full story from Shawn Mulcahy here: https://bit.ly/49L9ABz

📸 Darius Norvelius/Flickr via CC BY-NC 2.0

11/25/2025

Billy Corgan's collaboration with Lyric Opera of Chicago reinvents the band's 1995 double album for an ensemble of more than 100. https://bit.ly/44d5uyz

Billy Corgan’s collaboration with Lyric Opera of Chicago reinvents the band’s 1995 double album for an ensemble of more than 100.

11/25/2025

With Tom Whalley's Rapornzel, PrideArts again provides a naughty twist on the traditional holiday "panto." https://bit.ly/4odY05h

With Tom Whalley's Rapornzel, PrideArts again provides a naughty twist on the traditional holiday "panto."

11/25/2025

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates. https://bit.ly/4rhBJGJ

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved large investments in policing and prosecutions, over objections from advocates.

11/25/2025

Theatre Above the Law's revival of Peter Shaffer's satirical one-act Black Comedy is a clever good time, whether the lights are on or off. https://bit.ly/4ii6EhI

Theatre Above the Law's revival of Peter Shaffer's satirical one-act Black Comedy is a clever good time, whether the lights are on or off.

11/25/2025

In Stage Left Theatre's Come Again, Jesus is back and seeks a prophet for the gospel of saving the planet from climate change. https://bit.ly/4824uPV

In Stage Left Theatre's Come Again, Jesus is back and seeks a prophet for the gospel of saving the planet from climate change.

11/25/2025

Get ready for a stellar lineup of musical talent across Chicago! Here's our picks of the week for upcoming concerts.

11/28 Silvana Estrada at Thalia Hall https://bit.ly/4p3Cul7

11/28-29 Martin Atkins presents Killing Joke’s Extremities at Reggies Rock Club https://bit.ly/4p3CtO5

11/28 John Walt Day with Saba and the rest of Pivot Gang at Metro https://bit.ly/4rkbxv1

12/02 Julianna Riolino at Hideout https://bit.ly/4ivQe5B

12/2 $ilkMoney coheadlines with Fly Anakin and Quelle Chris at Subterranean https://bit.ly/49GBNcK

11/25/2025

The pollo asado al carbón estilo Sinaloa rises from the smoke like a phoenix, flaming red, stippled with char, and spatchcocked as if in flight. https://bit.ly/4rkraCF

The pollo asado al carbón estilo Sinaloa rises from the smoke like a phoenix, flaming red, stippled with char, and spatchcocked as if in flight.

11/25/2025

Jesse Malmed's Western Pole project turns a ubiquitous utilitarian object--a telephone pole--into a space of joy, experimentation, and play. https://bit.ly/482T66y

Jesse Malmed's Western Pole project turns a ubiquitous utilitarian object—a telephone pole—into a space of joy, experimentation, and play.

11/25/2025

Janice Lim, 45, 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 a number of positions at the museum including working as a mount maker, head of the replication shop and department steward for the union she helped organize in 2023.

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 who debuted last June. Read her story in this year’s People Issue. https://bit.ly/4roFCtw

✍️ Philip Montoro
📸 Kirk Williamson

11/25/2025

“Undertow" through 12/6 at Watershed Art & Ecology https://bit.ly/3Kah5aM

“Undertow" through 12/6 at Watershed Art & Ecology

11/24/2025

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. While you can find them working on a number of projects at any time, Palmer is the first to say that “community organizing is less something you do and more who you are.” Read their story here: https://bit.ly/43NgSkk

The People issue is the Reader's annual celebration of everyday Chicagoans doing extraordinary things through their own words. Read the full issue out now!