Aldermen on Tuesday advanced a scaled-back effort to test whether Chicago’s affordable housing crisis could be eased by permitting basement, attic and coach house dwellings in five areas of the city.

The growing share of city property taxes sent to tax increment finance districts is sure to fuel the argument over whether the districts actually spur redevelopment and eradicate blight or exacerbate growing inequality in Chicago.

We break down the rules Illinois has outlined for medical marijuana, and some additional restrictions Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ald. Ed Burke would like to impose in Chicago.

Decriminalizing marijuana? There's a new push to issue tickets instead of jail time. We take up the debate.