Civic
You're Mad About $4 to Park at the Beach. Let's Talk About the $1.27 Billion You're Not Paying.
Chicago's lakefront parking gates charge $4–$24. Drivers are outraged. Here's the $1.27B annual car subsidy they're not talking about.
2026-05-29
“the ward with no alderman”Sections
“the ward with no alderman”
Civic
The Tipped Wage Dates Chicago Needs to Remember
Chicago just delayed One Fair Wage — again. Here are the exact dates workers were promised raises, the dates they're now waiting on, and why those dates matter.
2026-05-27
Civic
The Parking Meter Deal Is Changing Hands. Can Chicago Use That to Get Out?
Chicago's 75-year parking meter contract is being sold to Stonepeak Partners. City Council must approve it — and that's the only leverage the city has left.
2026-05-26
Civic
The Bill Came Due. Nobody Wants to Say Who Ran It Up.
Chicago's pension crisis and the 75-year parking meter deal didn't appear from nowhere. Here's who built the debt every mayor since 2011 has been managing.
2026-05-13
Civic
Chicago City Council 2026: A Year-to-Date Catch-Up
Four full council sessions, 70+ committee meetings, and three live storylines in committee. The complete Chicago City Council catch-up through May 13, 2026.
2026-05-13
Civic
The 5 Votes That Weren't Unanimous at April's City Council Meeting
Chicago City Council passed 606 items on April 15. Only 5 drew a dissenting vote. Here's what each one was — and who said no.
2026-04-30
Civic
606 Items, 5 Contested Votes: Inside the April 15 City Council Meeting
The Chicago City Council met April 15 with a 606-item agenda. Here's what actually mattered — and how much time got burned on ceremonial fluff.
2026-04-29
Chicago Fire TV
Chief Boden Is the Most Chicago Person on Television
Chief Wallace Boden of Firehouse 51 isn't just a great TV character — he's a template for how Chicagoans should lead, show up, and protect their people.
2026-04-04
Civic
The Sun-Times Found the Wrong Deadbeats
City workers owe $19.5M in unpaid fines — 0.24% of Chicago's $8.2B collection problem. The public data tells a much bigger story.
2026-04-04
Chicago Fire FC
Fire vs. Nashville: The Best Team in the East Comes to Soldier Field
Chicago Fire FC host the red-hot Nashville SC on April 5 at Soldier Field. Here's how both teams have started 2026, the key matchups, and what to watch.
2026-04-04
Civic
It Takes a Daley to Shrink a Sidewalk
Chicago gave away its parking meters. Now delivery robots are claiming its sidewalks. One family name connects both deals.
2026-04-03
Civic
Chicago Just Un-Did Its Best Wage Law. Here's Who Did It.
In 2023, Chicago passed One Fair Wage 36–10. In March 2026, the City Council voted 30–18 to freeze it. Here's the complete ward-by-ward breakdown.
2026-04-01
Civic
Robots on the Sidewalk: What Chicago's Delivery Robot Pilot Means for Your Block
Chicago approved delivery robots with no public hearings. Nearly 30,000 sidewalk miles later, the city still won't publish the data.
2026-04-01
Civic
How ward51.com Gets Made: Tools, Process, and How to Pitch Us
How ward51.com articles are researched and written — the AI tools, the editorial process, and how to write a suggestion that gets results.
2026-04-01
Civic
Chicago City Council Q1 2026 Report Card
Two meetings, 1,321 agenda items, 8 contested votes. Here's how every Chicago alderperson scored on attendance, participation, and contribution in Q1 2026.
2026-03-31
Civic
Who Pays for Chicago's Streets? The Car Subsidy Nobody Talks About
Chicago spends over $2.5B a year on car infrastructure. Drivers pay back far less. Here's how the 2025 budget breaks down the real cost of driving in the city.
2026-03-30
Chicago Fire FC
Built in Chicago, Finished Abroad: The Fire's Blueprint for a Real Club
Joe Mansueto and Gregg Berhalter are building Chicago Fire FC the right way — local youth development plus savvy international talent. Here's why it's working.
2026-03-29
Chicago Fire TV
Why Matt Casey Quit the City Council (And Why It Matters)
Matt Casey's run as alderman on Chicago Fire was idealistic, messy, and short-lived. Here's why he walked away — and what it says about the show's politics.
2026-03-28
Civic
This Site Shouldn't Exist
How one person, AI tools, and public data turned into a Chicago civic publication. Here's why ward51.com exists and how it works.
2026-03-27
Chicago Fire FC
Fire 3, Montréal 0: Bamba Returns, Dean Sees Red, Chicago Wins Ugly
Chicago Fire beat CF Montréal 3-0 in a wind-battered home opener. Bamba returned, a red card reshuffled everything, and Chicago never flinched.
2026-03-01
Chicago Fire FC
Fire's Home Opener: Chicago vs. CF Montréal Preview
Chicago Fire host CF Montréal at Soldier Field today at 1:30 PM CT. Both teams need a bounce-back after rough Week 1 losses. Here's what to watch.
2026-02-28
Chicago Fire FC
Lewandowski to Chicago Fire: What We Know and What It Would Mean
Chicago Fire have tabled a two-year offer for Robert Lewandowski. Here's what the rumors say, what's in the way, and why this deal could reshape the club.
2026-02-26
Chicago Fire FC
Mbokazi Is Already Too Good for MLS
Mbekezeli Mbokazi only just arrived in Chicago, but the signs suggest he'll outgrow MLS fast. Here are the European clubs that should be calling next.
2026-02-25
Chicago Fire FC
Brady's Feet Will Decide His Future
Brady's shot-stopping is never the question. His ball-playing is. The Dynamo opener showed exactly what he must fix before the next level becomes possible.
2026-02-24
Chicago Fire FC
Fire's Promising Start Unravels in 2-1 Loss at Houston
Chicago Fire dominated the first half against Houston Dynamo but collapsed after the break. What the season opener revealed about Berhalter's retooled roster.
2026-02-23
AI Didn't Write This. We All Did.
What does "AI-assisted writing" actually look like? A real post's lifecycle — brief, AI draft, human edits, and what neither could do alone.
2026-02-23
Opinions About Opinions: Why We Argue Framing, Not Facts
Crime is down. Crime is up. Both sides cited real data. Here's how inaccessible statistics let narrative swallow truth — and what we can do about it.
2026-02-23
Chicago Fire FC
Fire Open 2026 in Houston: Mbokazi, Depth, and a Statement
Chicago Fire FC kick off their 2026 MLS season at Houston Dynamo with new signing Mbokazi, improved roster depth, and key absences to navigate on opening night.
2026-02-20