If these plans for new stadiums from the Bears, White Sox and Red Stars are going to have even a remote chance of passage, teams will have to drastically scale back their state asks and show some tangible benefits for state taxpayers.

By Rich Miller

Bears Stadium

Bears stadium costs? Add another $1.2 billion

The Bears put the figure at $4.7 billion. But a state official says the tally to taxpayers goes even higher when you include the cost of refinancing existing debt.

By Fran Spielman and Mitchell Armentrout

Cook County Democrats selected Monica Gordon on Friday to appear on the November ballot as the party's nominee for Cook County Clerk in a special election.

Politics

Cook County Democratic leaders pick Monica Gordon to run for Cook County Clerk

Gordon will run in the November general election to fill the rest of the late Karen Yarbrough’s term as Cook County Clerk.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Chicago Cubs' broadcaster Harry Caray sings "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch at Chicago's Wrigley Field in 1989.

Columnists

Why did Harry Caray always say ‘Holy Cow?’ It could be linked to a 1930s flying bovine. No bull!

In 1930, a 15-year-old Harry Caray was living in St. Louis when the city hosted an aircraft exhibition honoring aviator Charles Lindbergh. “The ‘first ever’ cow to fly in an airplane was introduced at the exhibition,” said Grant DePorter, Harry Caray restaurants manager. “She became the most famous cow in the world at the time and is still listed among the most famous bovines along with Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and ‘Elsie the cow.’”

By Michael Sneed

Bears

A day later, Rome Odunze's pairing with Bears still 'surreal'

Rome Odunze can keep the group chat saved in his phone for a while longer.

By Patrick Finley