Charles E. Gerber broke into TV in the 70s on a Jewish kids’ show, but his career as a singer, actor, and teacher continues ...

Chicago became a hub for beer brewing in the 19th century. By 1900, the city had around 60 breweries, thanks to an influx of German and Irish immigrants who brought with them lighter, more carbonated ...

When the weather is fine, especially during Chicago summertimes, Medley’s semi-secret patio is a sanctuary to enjoy a meal ...

Torn Light Records reopens after a month of mopping up, Public Works sells a “Fuck ICE” T-shirt to benefit immigrant groups, and more.

The Moviegoer is the diary of a local film buff, collecting the best of what Chicago’s independent and underground film scene ...

Bylines labeled “Chicago Reader Staff” are used for features that contain nonwritten, nonreported information like listings, ...

Even after the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, local officials and everyday people resisted the legalized abductions of men, women, and children who had escaped slavery ...

The governor has the authority to declare an eviction moratorium, which would temporarily suspend the eviction process or prohibit a landlord from beginning the eviction process due to nonpayment of ...

Plus: Uptown People’s Law Center workers speak out after layoffs and city domestic violence services face budget cuts in 2026.

Bump in the Night Theatre's The 4th Graders Present an Unnamed Love-Suicide traces the tragicomic elements of adolescence.

An innocuous comment at dinner sets off massive complications in Short Leap Theatre Co.'s black comedy Friends With Guns.

Life-affirming, love-affirming, and deeply, beautifully joyful—we need such antidotes to remind us of the magic that remains with us in small and large acts of generosity. The Reader is free.