The 61st Chicago International Film Festival hits theaters across the city October 15–26, 2025, with more than 100 features and 11 shorts from 70 countries. This year’s lineup spans genres and geographies — from gripping dramas and heartwarming comedies to documentaries that shine a light on urgent global issues. For Artistic Director Mimi Plauché, the […]
It’s that time of year in Chicago when the sidewalks are lined with crunchy leaves and a crisp breeze signals the arrival of fall events we look forward to all year. From haunting thrills just in time for Halloween to cozy afternoon outings, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Chicago and the […]
Arts education is not a luxury, but an essential part of a well-rounded education. Engaging in art is core to a child’s development, helping them build critical thinking skills, creativity, and confidence. Art also helps students connect to their identities, their peers, and the world around them. Yet, less than 47 percent of high school […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
On a summer day in July, a group of high school girls from Chicago’s South and West sides gathers in a conference room at Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. For many, it’s their first trip to River North — and their first time stepping inside one of the city’s prestigious corporate offices. They’ve come for […]
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 […]
What if we rejected the messaging that has permeated our country and our schools: that the arts are a luxury for only the well-to-do, something to cut when budgets need to be balanced, creativity a skill meant for only those who can pay at the door? How would we see ourselves and the thousands of […]
