Illinois

Margaret Wente lists Chicago's strengths and criticizes Toronto's mayor for the city's problems.

Despite efforts to limit big box retailers in the city, Chicago is riding a new wave of retail spending at the likes of Target and Wal-Mart -- though smaller local retailers are also sharing in the boom.

In the depressed Chicago suburb of Robbins, developers have joined forces to provide 800 affordably-priced houses over the next 5 years.

Chicago officials are renewing an ordinance to discourage cyclists from riding on some of the city's sidewalks, while bike advocates argue the city isn't doing enough to make the streets safe for both pedestrians and bike riders.

The Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois is considering two competing proposals for new skyscrapers in its downtown.

Facing large budget deficits, the Chicago Transit Authority has announced plans to raise fares and cut service.

Solar-powered, high-tech garbage cans are to be installed on the lakeshore in Chicago, which the city hopes will help reduce the amount of garbage that collects on the beaches in summertime.

With little progress having been made on Mayor Richard Daley's campaign pledge to end homelessness by 2012, some are wondering if the promise is just a pipe dream, or worse, a political stunt.

Planners in Illinois are learning that farmers don't necessarily want their land protected from development -- as many are counting on cashing out the value of their land at some point.

As Chicago nears completion of the Deep Tunnel project, two local architects have proposed a new eco-friendly water plan for the city.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's plan to require developers to set aside part of new projects as affordable housing passed by a vote of 44-2.

Unlike the stations in many global cities, toilets in Chicago's main transit system are off-limits to most customers. However, plans are developing to install self-cleaning toilets in many of the system's stations.

In suburbs across Illinois, residents are joining forces to fight against the creation of sidewalks, which they view as a threat to their communities' rural character and their very security.

More and more suburban Illinois communities are streaming their public hearings over the web, enabling more people to follow their local democratic process -- a trend being seen across the country.

With little interest from the governor, Illinois transit officials are predicting that budget cuts will dramatically reduce transit service, especially in the suburban Chicago area. They have been unsuccessful in rallying lawmakers to boost funding.

Two new developments may finally bring an end to a long streak of bad luck for a site in downtown Chicago, where projects just couldn't seem to get finished. The city changed its development strategy and is hoping the new projects revive the site.

The controversial practice of demolishing all but the exterior of a historic building doesn't serve to preserve that past or encourage new architecture, argues architecture critic Blair Kamin.

Transit officials in Chicago plan to introduce a fare card that riders will be able to use on the city's three public transportation systems.

Preservationists have petitioned the city and stopped a homeowner from tearing down the 1950s ranch-style home he recently purchased, citing the home's historic value.

A number of historic buildings in Chicago are being preserved -- but only on the outside. Developers have bent the rules of preservation to repurpose historic buildings as parking garages and luxury condos while preserving only their facades.