Columns

Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher waves to the stage during the 27th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor celebrating Maher on June 29, 2026, in Washington. (Kevin Wolf/AP)

Clarence Page: Beware the charm of our rising chatbots

By Clarence Page

October 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Besides the existential risks of artificial intelligence, consider how AI chatbots insinuate themselves in the...

The new Cragin Park Fieldhouse stands Oct. 15, 2026, in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Edward Keegan: Is the minimalist fieldhouse in Chicago’s Cragin Park architecture or just a building??

By Edward Keegan

October 18, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Cragin Park Fieldhouse expresses a clear architectural character with its exposed steel structure. I...

A young woman reacts as she looks at her damaged home after Russia's night missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 14, 2026. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

Elizabeth Shackelford: Trump’s abhorrent Russian diesel deal defies US laws and won’t lower gas prices

By Elizabeth Shackelford

October 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Donald Trump has illegally undone sanctions efforts against Russia. For all of this, Americans won’t...

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mark Curran is prepped before a televised forum at the WTTW studio in Chicago on March 3, 2020.

Column: Religion, politics and Mark Curran

By Steve Chapman

October 28, 2020 at 3:49 p.m.

There may a rational, evidence-based case for allowing all high school sports to be played...

Former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, during a drive-in campaign rally at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta on Oct. 27, 2020.

Column: Biden closing campaign on note of unity, while Trump sticks with sound and fury, signifying hate

By Rex W. Huppke

October 28, 2020 at 11:36 a.m.

As we enter the final week of the campaign — a week I plan to...

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett and President Donald Trump during Barrett's swearing-in ceremony at the White House in Washington on Oct. 26, 2020.

Column: How to preserve the American republic? The Constitution and originalist justices like Amy Coney Barrett.

By John Kass

October 28, 2020 at 5:03 a.m.

If Americans can agree on anything in this election between President Donald Trump and Joe...

President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally Oct. 27, 2020, in Lansing, Mich.

Column: Trump’s claim that he has done more for Black people than any president since Lincoln makes me sick

By Dahleen Glanton

October 28, 2020 at 5:02 a.m.

Every time I hear Donald Trump say that he has done more for the Black...

As Thanksgiving approaches, many are pondering plans to celebrate the holiday while in the midst of a pandemic.

Column: What to do about Thanksgiving?

By Mary Schmich

October 28, 2020 at 5:00 a.m.

What to do about Thanksgiving? Right about now, if this were an ordinary year, millions...

During a scavenger hunt, from left, Cosmos Daly, 3, of Mundelein, dressed as Spider-Man, and his sibling Galaxy, 4, run to the next treat station in the park. Images from Halloween Family Night on Oct. 26, 2020 in Round Lake at 814 Hart Road.

Poll: Late-arriving votes in the Tweet of the Week poll also will not be counted, so act before the deadline.

By Eric Zorn

November 6, 2020 at 1:21 p.m.

Instructions: Click the box next to each tweet that amuses you -- no limit to...

Supporters reach for a hat thrown by President Donald Trump at the conclusion of a rally at Lancaster Airport in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 26, 2020.

Column: COVID, COVID, COVID! Here’s hoping that a week from now the lies will end

By Eric Zorn

October 27, 2020 at 4:12 p.m.

"There was a spike in Florida, and it's now gone," said President Donald Trump about...

Signs for Joe Biden are seen outside a home in Coon Valle, Wisconsin, on Oct. 3, 2020.

Column: Don’t let politics come between friends

By Clarence Page

October 27, 2020 at 4:04 p.m.

As an old feminist movement slogan goes, "the personal is political." Unfortunately, in today's polarized...

Developer reveals plan for land alongside Moody Bible Institute: More than 2,600 apartments, condos and town homes

By Ryan Ori

October 27, 2020 at 11:22 a.m.

A Chicago developer wants to build 2,680 residential units on the Near North Side, one...

Construction fencing surrounds the future Sable Hotel at Navy Pier on Aug. 13, 2020.

Column: Opening of Navy Pier hotel is postponed, the latest blow to city’s reeling hotel market

By Blair Kamin

October 26, 2020 at 2:13 p.m.

Before Navy Pier temporarily shut down on Labor Day, officials of the popular lakefront attraction...

Columnists