Curious City

How Do You Find Out If Your Neighborhood Is Contaminated With Lead Pollution?

03 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Northwest Indiana resident Beth Braun wants to know whether lead emissions from the nearby steel mill are landing in her backyard.

What Are Chicago’s Oldest Laws?

24 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know you can’t perform in a window or dye a baby chick? We feature nine of Chicago’s most obscure laws.

From Mickey Mouse To Oprah: What Chicagoans Write In On Election Day

17 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Election judges don’t usually count votes for cartoon mice or celebrities, but there was one exception. We took a peek.

To Chicago, With Love: What Do Transplants Love About The City?

10 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One Chicagoan wants to know what people who moved to Chicago love about the city. From fireflies to marathons, here’s what they have to say.

Chicago’s Dill Pickle Club: Where Anarchists Mixed With Doctors And Poets

03 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Dill Pickle wasn’t just any old 1920s nightclub. It opened its doors to queer Chicagoans and other marginalized groups.

The Gold Star Sardine Bar: The Rise And Fall Of A Chicago Jazz Club

27 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The story of one Chicago grocery store tycoon’s dream for jazz music, movie stars, and bygone glamour.

Buying Black Then And Now: What’s The History Of Black-Owned Business Signs In Chicago?

20 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

From boycotts to hashtags, Curious City traces the history of a 150-year-old message urging the black community to support black businesses.

What Was It Like To Dance At The Warehouse Club In Chicago?

13 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Curious City spends a night at The Warehouse club through the memories of teens who danced there in the 1980s.

Unlocking The Closet: Coming Out Later In Life

06 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

WBEZ’s Tony Sarabia talks with people who came out later in life about how that affected their closest relationships.

VPR’s ‘But Why’: Why Do We Poop And Fart?

30 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A recent episode from VPR’s podcast for curious kids features reporting from Curious City about what happens after you flush the toilet.

Tips For Hunting Chicago’s Long-lost Recipes

23 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The city's top recipe sleuths share their secrets as we recreate a divine, but elusive, fried chicken dish.

A Butcher, A Developer And His Wife: Where Six Chicago Streets Got Their Names (And Pronunciations!)

16 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hint: If you want a Chicago street named after you, it helps to know a real estate developer — or be married to one!  

Chicago Candidates Need Loads of Petition Signatures To Land On The Ballot, But Is That Fair?

09 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Candidates need to gather and then defend stacks of petition signatures. We break down who this helps and hurts.

Pregnancy Tests? Pigeon Poo? What Chicago Aldermen Really Do

02 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sure, they pass laws and vote on city budgets. But there’s so much more. Think: Pregnancy tests and pigeon poo.

DEH-vin Or Deh-VOHN? Why The CTA Pronounces Chicago Street Names A Certain Way

25 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The CTA consults lots of sources to decide how to pronounce street names. Take our quiz to find out how your pronunciations match up.

Displaced: When The Eisenhower Expressway Moved In, Who Was Forced Out?

18 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Ike was the city’s first superhighway. In this special presentation, people affected open up about how it scattered ethnic neighborhoods an...

Steak And Lemonade: What Are The Origins Of This Chicago Food Combo?

11 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The beef sandwich and slushy drink are sold together all across the South and West sides. We track down the guy who put the two together.

Did All Chicagoans Support The Civil War?

04 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The story of Irish-American draft resisters, African-Americans who defied the odds in order to fight, and women who found alternate ways to support th...

From Stockyards To Speakeasies: A Chicago Historian Tackles 5 Questions About The City’s History

28 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dominic Pacyga shares his encyclopedic knowledge of Chicago history and answers questions about everything from “gin joints” to stockyards.

How Vacant Chicago Storefronts Rise From The Dead As Halloween Costume Stores

21 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We unearth the business model behind these seasonal shops, and get the scoop on what costumes will be most popular this season.

Why Doesn’t Chicago Have More Co-Op Grocery Stores?

14 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We learn that, despite the current paucity of food co-ops, the city actually has a strong food co-op history — and there may be more on the horizon....

Gone Fishin’: What Happened To Chicago’s Booming Commercial Fishing Industry?

07 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago once had a booming commercial fishing industry. Lawrence’s Fish and Shrimp is one of the last vestiges of that industry.

Who Is Billy Sunday In The Popular Sinatra Song, ‘Chicago?’

30 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Billy Sunday was an influential preacher within the American evangelical movement. How'd he end up in a song sung by Sinatra?

How Political Clout And Union Power Created Chicago’s Lead Water Problem

16 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago continued to use lead pipes long after many cities banned them. We look at the politics and personalities behind it.

Daley vs. Little Italy: Did The Mayor Drop UIC On The Neighborhood Out Of Spite?

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why did Richard J. Daley push for the UIC campus to rise from the heart of a long-standing ethnic neighborhood? In this special Curious City presentat...

Hidden in Plain Sight: Inside Downtown Chicago's Windowless, Doorless Buildings

02 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a peek at what goes on inside some of these “mystery buildings” and how their architectural disguises have evolved over the decades.

This Synagogue’s Story Mirrors The History Of Jewish Migration Across Chicago

26 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We trace one synagogue’s migration, from the Maxwell Street neighborhood to North Lawndale to West Rogers Park.

What Happened To The East Chicago Residents Forced Out By Pollution?

19 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

More than 1,100 people had to move due to pollution. We follow two of them as they fight to find housing.

What Are The Costs Of Chicago’s Air And Water Show?

12 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The city says the show generates millions of dollars in business. But some listeners wonder whether it’s worth the environmental costs.

Skyscraper Central: Why Are So Many of Chicago's Tallest Buildings Located Downtown?

05 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We find out why downtown became the go-to destination for Chicago’s tallest buildings, and whether that might change in the future.

An Extended Interview With Actor And Improviser T.J. Jagodowski

29 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of famous comedians got their start in Chicago. Actor and improviser T.J. Jagodowski talks with Jimmy Carrane about why that’s the case.

What Officials Are(n't) Doing About Chicago’s Lead Pipes

22 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago has the nation's most extensive network of lead service lines, but city officials say drinking water is safe.

How The 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition Played Into Chicago’s Rivalry With New York

15 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this live podcast episode, two actors playing New York and Chicago duke it out over who will host the coveted 1893 World’s Fair.

Why Do Chicago Beaches Ban Flotation Devices?

08 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

One Chicagoan wonders why Chicago beaches ban things like rafts and boogie boards. But experts say there's good reason to leave them at home.

How Does Chicago Track Its Coyotes?

01 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago is home to an estimated 2,000 coyotes. To learn how they survive, Curious City joined researchers as they tracked down pups.

Doors Closing! Life As A CTA Rail Operator

24 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Long hours, fatigue, and boredom can be hazards of the job. But former rail operators say there’s a lot to love about driving an 'L' train.

How Pollution Seeped Into The Lives Of East Chicago Residents

17 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When pollution invaded Ezell Foster’s East Chicago neighborhood, he found himself stuck between industry and a bureaucracy.

WPLN’s 'The Promise': A Beautiful Day In The Projects

10 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We curate an episode from WPLN’s podcast, ‘The Promise,’ a series about life in the James Cayce Homes, a public housing complex in Nashville.

Nerdette: Comedian John Hodgman Really Loves Malört

03 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We curate an episode of the WBEZ podcast, Nerdette, featuring an interview with comedian John Hodgman and the very Chicago story of Malört.

Special Training For School Police: How Do Young People Feel About It?

27 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As lawmakers move to require additional training for police in Illinois schools, five young people weigh in on whether it will make a difference.

Seeing Blue: Will Chicago's New LED Streetlights Do More Harm Than Good?

20 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do LED lights cause cancer? Can they really reduce crime? One kid is so concerned about LED streetlights that he called Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Sweet Success: How Chicago's Mexican Bakeries Stay Competitive

13 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lots of Mexican bakeries can be found near one another in neighborhoods like Pilsen. So how do they stay in business?

What A Murder In My Family Reveals About Chicago’s Chinese Gangs

06 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Editor’s Note: This story was first published in 2018.On a warm September night, a gunman walked into a West Side restaurant, ...

What Are Chicago’s Oldest Laws?

28 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Looking around Chicago today, you won’t find many stink balls or cannons—but did you know the city has ordinances regulating both? When these laws...

Which Historical Monuments Have Sparked Controversy In Chicago?

22 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From a statue honoring police to a tribute to Confederate prisoners, these monuments have raised debate over how history is represented.

Map Quest: Searching for Chicago’s ‘Lizard Mound’

15 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A Curious City fan asked us about an odd detail on an old Chicago map. Was it really a Native American burial mound?

Mold-A-Rama-Rama! The Secrets Behind Chicago's Plastic Souvenir Empire

08 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How a Chicago-area family turned cheap plastic souvenirs into a nostalgia empire.

Seeing Red: What’s Up With That Stoplight On North Lake Shore Drive?

01 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The light near Chicago Avenue causes mile-long backups. City officials are proposing a solution, but you might be in traffic for a while.

Picture This: Did The Art Institute of Chicago Ever Rent Out Paintings?

25 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Robert K. Elder would love to decorate the walls in his living room with original paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago. So he was floored when ...

From Blizzards To Heat Waves: Is It Actually Harder To Predict Weather In Chicago?

18 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Beach weather one day and freezing rain the next: Chicago weather can be unpredictable, but how do we compare to other cities?

9 Chicago Pizza Mysteries Solved

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You asked about square slices, where the pepperoni goes, and the origins of the pizza puff. We dish it deep on nine questions you kneaded to know.

Bed Rest And Sputum Tests: Inside Chicago's Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium

01 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Former patients recall the tests, treatments, and trauma nearly 250,000 Chicagoans experienced over the sanitarium's near 60-year-long existence.

How 1920s Chicago Public School Design Reflects Changes In Education

22 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

More public elementary schools were built in the 1920s than in any other era. Their design reflected new ideas about child development and health.

Not In Your Front Yard: Why ‘For Sale’ Signs Are Banned In Oak Park

18 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The village insists a decades-old rule to fight blockbusting continues to protect a precious suburban commodity: diversity.

How Often Do People Defend Themselves With A Gun?

11 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

For more than 20 years, researchers have tracked how often Americans defend themselves with a gun. So why can’t they agree on an answer?

What's It Like To Live In Chicago's Loop?

04 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A family, a dog owner and tenants of a men's hotel explain why the Loop offers a sense of community amid the hustle and bustle.

What Makes Chicago A Destination For Improv?

28 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Eight improvisers who got their start in Chicago explain what draws so many aspiring funny people to the city’s improv scene.

What Happens To The Lincoln Park Zoo Animals In The Winter?

21 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do the animals go somewhere warm, like Florida? Does the zoo give them coats? We took a behind-the-scene tour of the zoo to find out.

Why Aren't There More Statues Of Women In Chicago?

14 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Statues of historic men can be found throughout Chicago’s parks and plazas. But one Curious Citizen wonders, "Where are all the women?"

What’s With That Demolition Dust? The Rules And Risks Of Residential Teardowns In Chicago

05 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Tearing down an old home can release dust containing asbestos or lead. Curious City found that Chicago rarely enforces laws meant to minimize contamin...

Curious City: The Mystery Collection

31 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Answers to listeners' questions about the mysterious side of Chicago that lies beyond the soaring skyscrapers and the sheen of the Bean.

Blacksmiths: The 'Plastic Surgeons' On Chicago's Payroll

24 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The City of Chicago employs 20 full-time blacksmiths. But what do they do? And what's with the ancient job title?

Are Taxpayers Footing The Bill For Patriotic Tributes At College Games?

17 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A 2015 Senate investigation found that the DOD did in fact pay college sports teams to stage patriotic tributes at games. Curious City finds out wheth...

What Would You Do With A Million Dollars? Whether Participatory Budgeting Is Worth The Effort

10 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Some wards vote on how to spend some taxpayer money. Does it help spread the wealth or is it just a feel-good exercise?

So, Why Did It Take So Long For It To Be Mayor Jane Byrne's Turn?

03 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

It took decades for Chicago's first and only female mayor to land an official honor from City Council. Is there a reason it took so long?

Where Does Your Poop Go?

26 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Curious City finds out where your poop goes by taking a journey through the Chicago-area sewer system.

Little Fingers And Screechy Sounds: Why Do So Many Kids Learn To Play The Recorder?

19 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The recorder often inflicts squeaky torture on parents. Music teacher Valerie DePriest explains why it became a staple in music education.

Without Native Americans, Would We Have Chicago As We Know It?

12 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Names like Marquette and Joliet are cited in history books. But it was Native Americans who first set Chicago on a path to develop into a major metrop...

Don't Believe The Height! Why Chicago Suburb Names Flat Out Lie About Their Elevation

05 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

From Chicago Heights to Mount Prospect, here's why Chicago suburb names flat out lie about their elevation.

Why Chicago's Chinatown Is Practically Invisible On Apartment Rental Sites

29 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The listings are there — just in Chinese. Is this a form of discrimination, or a way to preserve a neighborhood's character?

Cycling In Cemeteries? Why Some Chicago Graveyards Are Changing Their Rules About Bicycles

22 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The answer has to do with shifting ideas about bikes and the proper way to mourn the dead.

Which Natural Disasters Are Most Likely To Hit Chicago?

15 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The good news is Chicago probably won’t be hit by hurricanes and earthquakes. But the area is becoming more vulnerable to other disasters.

Do Chicago’s Arab And African-American Muslims Share Mosques? If Not, Why Not?

08 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago area Muslim leaders weigh in, and they open up about what divides and unites the community.

Forest Foresight: Who Created The Cook County Forest Preserves?

01 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Architect Dwight Perkins' ambitious plan to save Chicago's natural landscapes raised a question: Which kinds of nature deserve to be preserved?

Who Came Up With The Iconic Chicago White Sox Look?

24 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The brainchild of a 22-year-old executive, the White Sox look hit a home run with fans and, half a century later, rappers.

The Cha-Cha Slide And More: Which Dances Were Invented In Chicago?

17 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Don your dancing shoes as we track down the Chicago band members, musicians, and dancers who helped create five iconic moves.

Baring It All: Why Boys Swam Naked In Chicago High Schools

10 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

John Connors says swimming naked in high school gym class was “torture.” Curious City looks at why schools enforced the policy for decades.

Chicago's Forgotten Civil War Prison Camp

03 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Camp Douglas’ deadly reputation was kept in shadows but now there’s a surprising movement to bring it to light.

Push Carts, Popsicles, And Patience: How To Be A Paletero In Chicago

27 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Being a paleta vendor may seem like a sweet life, but we learned that selling Mexican popsicles is anything but a walk on the beach.

City Of Big Agriculture: Here Are The Crops Chicago Was Once Famous For

20 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The city deserves cred as an industrial giant, but it was also the first city of flowers, a pickle powerhouse and the heart of American celery.

What Happened To Chicago’s Japanese Neighborhood?

13 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Lake View once had a thriving Japanese community, but it fell victim to a push for assimilation. As one Japanese-American puts it: “You had to basic...

Chicago Bathhouses: A Century Of Sanitation, Sex And Sweat

06 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A quick tour of places where residents would chill, get clean and — sometimes — get down.

Is Notoriously Segregated Chicago Becoming More Integrated?

30 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

On paper, Chicago is more integrated than it was a few decades ago. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Carl Sandburg's Chicago: The Places, People, And Events That Shaped His Writing

23 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

From 1912 to 1930, the famous poet and writer lived and worked in the Chicago area. Step back in time to experience Sandburg's Chicago.

Why Chicago Lightning Bugs Light Up One Neighborhood But Not the Next

16 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A listener’s nostalgia for catching lightning bugs as a kid lead her to wonder: Are there any left these days? Our experts say they’re around, jus...

How Chicago Beaches Get and Keep That Nice Fine Sand

09 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s why you shouldn’t take that "sand between your toes" experience for granted!

Chicago's Best Stargazing Spots

02 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Chicago's notorious light pollution hides the stars, but here's where you have a fighting chance to peek at the heavens.

Welcome Back, Otters: Could The River Otter Call Chicago's Loop Home?

25 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Forty years ago, it would have been nearly impossible to find an otter in Illinois, never mind Chicago. Today, could they be here to stay?

The Meaning Of Boystown: A Conversation About Chicago's LGBTQ Neighborhood

18 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A multi-generational panel talks about what the neighborhood means to them and where they see its future.

Chicago's Architectural Clues Reveal How We Live

11 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We look at eight building features and what each reveals about how society and urban life has changed over the years.

Building Skyscrapers on Chicago's Swampy Soil

28 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Engineers once compared Chicago’s soggy soil to jelly cake. How did they build a forest of skyscrapers on it?

Rubber Stamp Aldermen: Why Does Chicago City Council Always Vote For What The Mayor Wants?

21 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Most aldermen almost always vote with the mayor, but that's starting to change.

City Of Big Potholes: Is Asphalt The Best Choice For Chicago's Streets?

14 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In the past decade the city paid out nearly $3 million drivers whose cars were damaged by poor road conditions. Is asphalt to blame?

Boystown: How Chicago Got Its Gay Neighborhood

07 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Political activism and businesses helped shape the city's gay neighborhood, but there's a debate about its future.

Curious City: What Happens To Food On Cancelled Flights?

30 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When a flight gets cancelled, it's not only travel plans that get trashed.

Curious City: The Nazis' Neighborhood

23 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Was there ever a Nazi neighborhood in Chicago? In this special Curious City mini-documentary and online presentation (complete with archival photos an...

How A Rat Balloon From Suburban Chicago Became A Union Mascot

19 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Scabby the Rat is now common on picket lines around the world, but the balloon started in Chicago’s historically blue-collar suburbs.

Safer, Faster, Smarter? The Road Ahead For Illinois' High-Tech Highway

09 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Officials say the Jane Addams Tollway will soon be faster, safer and smarter. But will it deliver?

First Responder: Why Do Fire Trucks Often Arrive Before Ambulances For Medical Emergencies?

02 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Medical calls outnumber fire calls 20 to one in Chicago. So why does the city own so many more fire trucks than ambulances?

The Meteorologist’s Climate Change Dilemma

26 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Skilling explains why most TV meteorologists don't talk about climate change, but should.