More than 520,000 people in the Chicago area live with a disability — roughly one in 10 residents. Across the United States, an estimated 8.38 million individuals have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. According to 2025 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, […]
Is there anything more perfect than spending a beautiful fall weekend apple or pumpkin picking? Here is a list of apple orchards and pumpkin patches around Chicago — or a short drive away — to help you make your plans. Just don’t forget to check the hours and the U-Pick status before you head out. […]
Chicago’s cultural calendar never takes a break — and September proves it. The city and suburbs are packed with a nonstop lineup of festivals, concerts, theater, and community gatherings that carry us from the last golden days of summer into the first notes of fall. From iconic traditions to fresh debuts, here are the best […]
When Ballet 5:8 launched the BIOS Project, they didn’t start with music. Or costumes. Or a theme. They started with a question: What happens when we actually listen? Not just politely. Not in passing. But fully. With time. With no plan to fix, redirect, or explain away what we hear. The invited four women choreographers […]
On the night of April 26, 2025, the beloved cultural institution, Writers Theatre, a Make It Better Foundation grant partner, welcomed 250 corporate and civic leaders to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for its annual WordPlay Gala. With the theme of “Be Bold. Be Here.”, the annual fundraising event raised a record-breaking $905,000 to support […]
Chicago is in the midst of a silent crisis — one that affects thousands of its youngest residents every day. Families across the city are struggling to afford diapers, a basic but essential need for children. With diaper costs having soared by nearly 50 percent since the pandemic, and families facing cuts to Medicaid and […]
If you’re looking for a good scare this Halloween, you might want to consider a trip to Chicago, one of the most haunted cities in America. From raging fires to mob history, shipping disasters to phantom hitchhikers, Chicago has something to satisfy any ghost hunter’s palate. So don’t be content just to let fires burn […]
Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park this weekend, spotlighting what’s trending now. But some of the most meaningful moments in music this year aren’t about what’s next — they’re about honoring what’s endured. From long-awaited reunions to emotional farewells, this season’s most powerful rock shows are more than concerts — they’re reminders of how music unites […]
I remember one of the first birds I ever worked with. His name was Saki, and he was a Bali myna. He would greet me every morning by saying “Hello, Saki” and “Hi.” I was so intrigued that I set out to learn more about the species. What I learned was disheartening. At that time, […]
Those sweet summer days we’ve waited for all year long are flying by faster than a Thunderbird jet, which you can spot at the Chicago Air & Water Show later this month. In the spirit of squeezing all we can from Chicago’s most spectacular season, we’ve compiled the best things to do in Chicago and […]
