Curious City

Illinois passed a new law last month that sets a deadline for the state to replace all of its toxic lead service lines -- those pipes that deliver drinking water to our homes and park fountains. Curious City’s Monica Eng fills us in on how long it's going to take to get rid of all the lead lines.

Last year we met Elmhurst gardener Nicole Virgil, who was fighting for the right to put up a hoop house in her garden. A hoop house is an inexpensive way to help extend the growing season. It protects the crops from the wind and snow and can keep the soil from freezing. Virgil took her fight all the way to the state legislature. Curious City’s Monica Eng tells us what happened next.

As Illinois reopens, Chicago area artists Lori Lippitz of the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, Lynne Jordan of Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, Juan Dies of Sones de Mexico and D2x reflect on what the last 15 months have been like, how the pandemic has shaped their music, and what they’re looking forward to as full capacity crowds come back.

Curious City’s Monica Eng investigates the origins of Chicago’s favorite spicy condiment: giardiniera. This humble jar of veggies packed in oil has roots in Sicily, and Monica tracks down at least two different Chicago families who believe they should be credited for the original recipe. Plus, what’s the right way to say it anyway?

In the notoriously flat Chicago region, what gives with names like Chicago Heights, Mount Prospect and Park Ridge?

Scientist Alice Hamilton’s investigations into toxins in Chicago’s factories led to some of the first workplace safety laws in the country. She was known for her “shoe leather” epidemiology, wearing out the soles of her shoes from all the trips she made to Chicago homes, factories and even saloons to figure out what was making people sick. Reporter Edie Rubinowitz has her story.

WBEZ, where Curious City gets produced, actually began as a radio station that broadcast educational programs for kids. In this week’s episode Monica Eng explores WBEZ’s roots in education and looks at how we went from math and fairy tales over the radio to a news and information station. Goodbye “Lady Make Believe,” hello “All Things Considered.”

Little-known fact: in Chicago, you don’t need to be an elected official to propose legislation to City Council. But does this process really work? Has anyone ever done it? WBEZ city politics reporter Claudia Morell investigates. Along the way she speaks to a former governor and a cab driver who have tested it out for themselves.

If you hear church bells ring in the Chicago-area, it’s likely they’re automated. Some bell systems are pneumatic or electronic. Others pipe digital hymns through amplifiers. But do real people ever ring real bells? That’s the question we’re exploring in this week’s episode. And the answer is yes! We head to five different spots, each with its own sound, unique history and distinct community.

In 1969, Chicago was home to one of history’s most high-profile trials. Known as the Trial of the Chicago 8 — and sometimes the Trial of the Chicago 7 — the trial pitted anti-war protesters against the federal government. Eight men were accused of conspiring to incite a riot during protests that took place in Chicago during the Democratic National Convention of 1968. Outside the courtroom, protesters and onlookers gathered. Some chanted to free the men. Some came with signs and posters of protest and solidarity. In this episode, reporter Arionne Nettles explores the intersection of art and protest movements as she tries to track down the artist behind one of these posters.

Why tens of thousands of Southern migrants made the Uptown neighborhood home, only to leave a short time later. And WBEZ's Natalie Moore tells us about her investigation into the history of racially restrictive deeds and covenants, and how YOU can help.

Curious City reporter Monica Eng and editor Alexandra Salomon try to help one listener who claims NY has better bagels find some good ones in Chicago. Plus, we trace the local history of the donut-shaped bread: From its arrival in the U.S. with Jewish immigrants to mass production to a renaissance of local artisanal bakers who have gone back to the traditional way of making them.

Chicago historian Paul Durica shares famous ruses, hoaxes and stunts pulled by (and on) local media.

We dug into the Curious City archives and pulled out one of our favorites, a story about the Chicago River. Chicago’s bold maneuver to reverse the Chicago River diverted sewage away from Lake Michigan, allowing Chicago’s continued growth. But it was hardly a perfect solution. The effects of the groundbreaking engineering feat are still being felt today -- even as far as the Gulf of Mexico. Reporter Carson Vaughan has that story.

We’ve reached the one-year anniversary of Chicago’s stay-at-home order. From schools going virtual to plastic shields lining the grocery store check-out lane, just about every aspect of life has been affected by the pandemic. To mark all the change this year has brought, we hear some essays from folks who’ve written about their experiences. Plus we look to the future and visit some vaccination sites to answer a listener’s question about what the vaccine means to people. From “cautious” to “hopeful,” they tell us what they’re most looking forward to next.

This week on the Curious City podcast we revisit a live show reporter Monica Eng hosted in early 2020 with Do312Chicago and singer-songwriter Andrew Bird. The violin playing, whistling musician asked us to tell him more about the history of some Chicago venues where he’s performed. We learn a fraternal lodge used to make their home in the Metro building in Wrigleyville. The Lyric Opera House historian ruins some of Monica’s favorite architectural gossip while busting some of the building’s famous myths. Plus, we hear about the gangster and working class roots of the 150 year old Hideout in Lincoln Park.

This week on the Curious City podcast we dig back into the archives to share one of our favorite stories about the song made famous by Frank Sinatra, “Chicago (That Toddling Town).” The song pays homage to the partying and excess of the roaring 20’s during Prohibition. It also contains a lyric about a man who tried to save the soul of Chicago. Who was he and how did he end up in the song? Plus, we hear from several small businesses about what they’ve been doing to keep their businesses going- and some of the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Though little known on the North Side of Chicago, the sweet steak has been attracting long lines of fans to South Side eateries for 50 years now. The sandwich starts with a steamed bun, piled high with grilled onions, chopped ribeye steak, American cheese, sweet pepper relish, sliced tomatoes and hot peppers — all doused in a signature reddish sweet sauce. Curious City’s Monica Eng digs into the origins of the sandwich and what’s in store for the future. Hint: it has to do with walnuts.

One Curious Citizen wanted to know what people who moved to Chicago love about the city. From fireflies to the way people walk, we hear what transplants say makes Chicago so special. Plus Curious City’s Monica Eng helps answer a question from another Chicagoan who's frustrated that the city’s playgrounds are still closed while so many other restrictions are easing up.

Curious City took a road trip and counted almost a hundred billboard ads for lawyers along I-90/94 on the border between Illinois and Indiana. Audio producer Steven Jackson investigates why there’s so many of these billboards in this area, especially for personal injury attorneys. He shares insights from lawyers, marketers, and historians. (Features a cameo appearance from President Lyndon B. Johnson.)

Chicago winters can be long and brutal. Curious City’s Monica Eng spoke with postal workers and other Chicagoans who spend a lot of time outdoors about how they dress for warmth during the winter. Also, we hear from a listener who asks what happens to the colorful landscaping along Michigan Avenue during the winter months.

A listener wanted to know some practical things he could do to support struggling businesses. Monica Eng shares tips from industry experts on how to support small businesses like bookstores and music venues. She also talks with chef Beverly Kim about how female restaurateurs in Chicago have been supporting one another during the pandemic.

<p>This week we hear why Chicago has so many Thai restaurants and a renowned Thai chef offers up some tips for how to get the full experience of Thai cuisine. Hint: no chopsticks.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/C6aXKijoJY0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p><b>In this week’s episode we revisit a question we first answered in 2018. <i>What was Chicago’s response to the Civil War? </i>Chicagoans support for the war was actually quite varied and changed as the war progressed. To answer the question we focus on the experience of Irish Americans and African-Americans and look at how the war went from popular to controversial in Chicago in just a few years. </b><br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/NPDAXHim2J8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>On April 13, 1992, Chicago was struck by a man-made natural disaster. The Great Chicago Flood of 1992 occurred completely underground and, fortunately, nobody was hurt — but several factors make it one of the most Chicago stories ever. In this episode from the archives, hear how clout, corruption, and construction without permits led to half the Loop being evacuated.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/Pqdhkpe9bCk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>It’s the last day of 2020, which means we’re revealing the winners of our 2020 Haiku Contest. Plus, hear an interview from our friends at Reset, WBEZ’s daily talk show. In a multimedia project titled “The River Speaks,” a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago gives a unique personality to each of the six branches of the Chicago River. <br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/9kFckr_XZ5c" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>In a response to our recent episode about the Walnut Room, listener Joyce Miller Bean shares her family’s experience of racism and discrimination when visiting Marshall Field’s in the ‘50s and ‘60s.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/fBe1Hx-yAAc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Maybe you find them annoying or maybe not, but one thing is certain: Chicago’s got a lot of geese. So this week we’re taking on your geese questions, from why they’re here to techniques for controlling their population.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/31h60GMaqEA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>From the Walnut Room restaurant to its window displays, Marshall Field’s figured out how to draw in the crowds during the holiday.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/XUTQzbAcAMM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>In this episode, reporter Arionne Nettles tells us the story of Lucy Parsons, a Chicago labor activist and anarchist known for her fiery speeches and dubbed “more dangerous than 1,000 rioters.” But who she was and what she fought for was complex — and just as complicated was her true identity.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/M4FhcHEyimM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>In Part II of our special series on education during COVID-19, reporters Susie An and Kate McGee share stories of two high school juniors going through the college application process during remote learning and several college freshmen experiencing a strange first semester. Some of those college students are studying remotely from the homes where they grew up while others packed up and headed off to campus, only to face a quarantine.</p><p>Then, we hear from <i>Curious City</i> question askers and experts about what they’re thankful for this year. </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/WaI6p2-3j5w" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>We’ve spent the last couple of months reimagining the Curious City podcast and trying out some new ways to answer your questions. And now, the wait is over. We’re ready to let you hear what we’ve been up to. We’re still going to be answering your questions, but in this episode, we’re collaborating with our audience a little differently. Two WBEZ education reporters share how a family and a teacher are coping with remote learning.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/oJQs7tuc2tA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>In 2015, Satchel Lang was a curious five-year-old Chicagoan who didn’t want poop’s destiny to remain such a mystery. Now 11-years-old, we catch back up with Satchel and revisit the answer to Satchel’s question that reveals how poop and pee in the Chicago area get processed by an agency called the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/bvrQ5HhoExo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>In the 20th century, millions of Black Americans who lived in southern states packed up and moved to northern cities — drawn by the promise of greater freedom and better jobs. Many headed to Chicago, and they brought a musical genre with deep African roots that reflected the realities of Black life: the blues. Reporter Arionne Nettles’ grandparents were among those who came to Chicago from the South, and when they established themselves in the city, they found success in the growing blues industry.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/l3FR5rDM2X8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>If you’ve lived in or visited an older home or apartment building in Chicago, like question asker Biz Knapp, chances are it has an odd door or some other quirky feature that seems out of place today. But the evolution of apartment layouts signifies more than just a change in style or materials — They also provide architectural clues about the way Chicagoans once lived. We revisit those clues in this episode from 2017.</p><p>Then, we catch up with Evanston elementary drama teacher Michael Rodriguez. You might recognize his voice from an episode back in August, when he shared his excitement for the new school year. Now, about two months into his remote learning routine, we hear if things are going the way he expected.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/AlbshMu2EKI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>We’re back on the rat beat! Through WBEZ’s Citizens’ Agenda project, Chicagoans expressed concerns about the large number of rats in their neighborhoods. So we walk you through what you, your neighbor and your elected officials can do to tackle Chicago’s rat problem. Later in the episode, hear from Chicago-based professional wrestler Colt Cabana, who wants to know your questions about the city’s wrestling history.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/ZB9RO55lK4A" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>House music got its start in the early 1980s — and it originated right here in Chicago. Many people say The Warehouse, a prominent house music club, is where the music genre got its name. <i>Curious City </i>talked with house heads (superfans) who danced at The Warehouse as teenagers to learn more about what the scene was like in Chicago.</p><p>And, stick around to hear from a mother who has transformed her Logan Square garage into a remote learning classroom, where preschool, kindergarten and second grade all happen under one roof.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/ctBUB7-3Q94" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p></p><p>The famous poet and writer Carl Sandburg spent more than two decades in Chicago, from 1912 to 1930. In this archival episode from 2017, we explore how the city’s people and places helped shape his work — and gives us a personal window into Chicago’s past.</p><p>Plus, the City of Chicago created programs to provide eligible Chicago Public School students with devices and free Internet access for remote learning. We hear from residents at a Back of the Yards community event about how these programs are working.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><p></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/NYKWWAysBsA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Recent wildfires on the West Coast and Mayor Lightfoot’s plan to replace lead service lines in Chicago have brought the environment to the top of our minds. And as reporter Monica Eng found last year, Lake Michigan is already being affected by climate change. For a look at what we can expect moving forward, we return to a question from 2019. Plus, we take another peek inside the new school year in the city. <br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/jbX-xMBc-HU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>For the last couple of months, we’ve been bringing you stories from our archive as we experiment with some new formats. Now, we wanted to share one of the stories we’ve been working on. As protests continue over police brutality and systemic racism in the justice system, WBEZ Criminal Justice Reporter Patrick Smith breaks down how the police accountability system works in Chicago, how these decisions are made— and what power the mayor holds in cases of police misconduct.</p><p>If you want to share feedback on this episode, send us comments to <a href="mailto:[email protected]"><u>[email protected]</u></a>.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/rNeVZZcCx5g" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>The Mayor announced a plan to replace the city’s extensive network of lead service lines. So what does that mean for Chicago residents and the water they drink?</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/cVf4LOWo7jI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>The inaugural citywide Curious City Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Eats Edition is coming to an end, so we’re capping off the past month of unlocking clues by revisiting a family mystery. In this episode from 2018, reporter Monica Eng digs into her family’s past to answer a listener’s question about the history of Chinese gangs in Chicago — and make sure to stick around for an update at the end of the story.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/xZhBVO3mrl0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>While our recent episodes have been taking you to different neighborhoods throughout the city, this week we’re visiting a Chicago neighborhood institution: the tavern. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Recently, there have been a lot of debates surrounding whether to keep bars open during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to do so safely. And some of Chicago’s bars have struggled to stay in business. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">But even before the pandemic, bars have been disappearing.</span></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/8-_C65J9-BY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>The Ike was the city’s first superhighway. In this special presentation, people affected open up about how it scattered ethnic neighborhoods and changed many lives forever.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/nRV7ix7aW3s" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>While the <i>Curious City Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Eats Edition</i> continues to take you all across the city, we’re pulling stories from our archive that dive into the history of Chicago’s neighborhoods. <span style="font-family: inherit;">This week, a story from 2017 takes us to Lake View, which once had a thriving Japanese community — but it fell victim to a push for assimilation. As one Japanese-American puts it: “You had to basically be unseen.”</span></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/NFbvnf26YK8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>With the “Curious City Scavenger Hunt: Chicago Eats Edition” now underway, we’re revisiting a story about foods created right here in Chicago.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/JIyRL4IH52k" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>A listener noticed an odd detail on an old map. <i style="">Curious City</i> investigated whether it was the site of an ancient burial mound.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/3hWUiL5uEMw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>As statues are removed in cities across the United States, we revisit a story about what it takes to get one put up in the first place.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/2KKeXfx-t00" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>Folk singer Steve Goodman grew up going to Cubs games, and this diehard fan had a lifelong goal—to write a hit song about baseball.</p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/ZEatKvrdpa4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

<p>From office use to wearing them outdoors, we clear up some of your lingering confusions about face masks.<br></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CuriousCityPodcast/~4/ry1r7NJmyEY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>