In the wake of Stephen Sondheim’s death, a look back at his impact on Chicago theater. 

City Council members sound off one day ahead of the ward remap deadline and still no agreement. One-on-one with retiring lawmaker Greg Harris. The life and legacy of Stephen Sondheim.

The city of Chicago has been partnering with Hotel Julian downtown, paying for 175 rooms to house those experiencing homelessness amid the pandemic. Alderpeople recently extended this partnership into February. But is it enough?

Over the past 20 years, 51 Black women and girls have either gone missing or been found dead after disappearing in Chicago, according to WVON, which has produced a new five-part series featuring the stories of these victims’ family members and their efforts to find answers. 

“The many challenges of COVID-19, coupled with the inconvenience of life-threatening conditions that cold weather and extreme weather brings every year, that means we’ve got to utilize every tool that we can to protect the health and well-being of our residents,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.

Consumers are expected to spend between $10.2 billion and $11.3 billion on Monday, making it once again the biggest online shopping day of the year, according to Adobe Digital Economy Index.

If 41 alderpeople do not agree on a map, the final decision could be made by voters for the first time in 30 years via a referendum.

Speaking Monday at the White House, Biden said it was inevitable that the new variant would reach the U.S., but he also said the country has the tools necessary to protect Americans — particularly the approved vaccines and booster shots.

What we know so far about the newest COVID-19 variant: omicron. The economy as the holiday shopping season arrives. The city preps for winter. And more attention for cases of missing Black women.

Calls for land-based reparations to Indigenous Americans. The impact of rising costs on food insecurity. The art of birchbark canoe building. A local cartoonist keeps alive a “Mad” magazine tradition.

The op-ed also raises the idea of doing away with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and says tribes would be “freed” of treaties with the federal government – an idea some Native Americans oppose.

Food insecurity continues to be far above pre-pandemic levels. Advocates say supply chain issues and inflation are worsening this problem — higher grocery bills make it even harder for some to afford food.

Local reaction to the verdict in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. COVID cases surge ahead of Thanksgiving. A tuition-free art school. And the Bears prepare for the Lions amid turmoil in the organization.