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Briefs, Case Studies, and News
Chicago
Will Johnson: Mass transit poll confirms what Chicagoans want: A safer CTA.
Brief • 2 min Read
The Future of Public Transit in Chicago
Will Johnson: Most Chicagoans reject higher city taxes, no matter the purpose. That's bad news for the mayor.
Brief • 3 min Read
Chicagoans wary of more taxation
As the DNC kicks off in Chicago, here's what those of us who live here want you to know
Keep your finger on the pulse with the latest trends in business, culture, and more.
Opinion | Chicago Needs More Than a Convention Cleanup
Harris Poll: Bears having a hard time moving the ball on public support for a new stadium
Will Johnson: Do Chicagoans think hosting the DNC is worth it?
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicago takes stock ahead of hosting 2024 DNC later this summer
Will Johnson: Why you should hope NASCAR's Chicago Street Race is a smashing success
Brief • 1 min Read
Chicago prepares for second NASCAR Street Race
Significant number of Chicagoans see the homeownership path to the American Dream as being out of reach
Poll ranks reputation of Chicago’s major companies
Will Johnson: Chicago tourism needs a sales push
Brief • 2 min Read
Examining Chicago's summer entertainment and tourist offerings
Will Johnson: Chicagoans' blunt assessment of Mayor Brandon Johnson's first year
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicagoans reflect on the last year
Harris Poll: Great Lakes residents feel ready for flooding. They better be right.
Harris Poll: Amid high hopes for DNC 2024, Chicago also faces high stakes
Brief • 2 min Read
Crossover voting in Chicago
Harris Poll: Chicago's flaws shouldn't overshadow its beauty and grandeur
Will Johnson: Chicago sports teams are crucial to fans. New stadiums? Not so much.
Brief • 4 min Read
Sports are integral to Chicago's identity, but which teams contribute most to its culture?
Does TV show the real Chicago? Maybe...or not
Brief • 2 min Read
"The Bear" Effect: Media's Depiction of Cities and Public Perception
Will Johnson: Is Chicago still the city that works? Here's how the mayor can bolster residents' optimism
Brief • 4 min Read
Do movies and TV shows give cities a fair shake?
Harris Poll: Are Cook County residents ready to overhaul how they vote?
Michelle Larson and Will Johnson: Chicago's Museum Campus is the key to revitalizing the Loop
Brief • 2 min Read
Parks, Lake Michigan, and Museum Campus among Chicago's greatest attractions for city and suburban residents
Harris Poll: Increased public safety could draw more local tourists to Chicago attractions
Will Johnson: The mayor has Chicagoans' buy-in on law enforcement. Here's what he can do for more consensus.
Brief • 1 min Read
Chicagoans Support A Multifaceted Approach to Public Safety
Harris Poll: Chicago is the epicenter of the youth mental health crisis
Will Johnson: How Cook County residents feel about the Magnificent Mile
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicagoans get creative in rethinking dormant office space
Harris Poll: Illinois has a ways to go to reach its goal of 1 million EVs on the road
Will Johnson: Should we pay to keep the White Sox local? Here's what polling data says.
Brief • 3 min Read
Should teams pay for their own stadiums?
Harris Poll: Chicagoans exhibit early patience with new mayor's methodical approach
Harris Poll: Remote work continues to threaten the downtown economy, but could spur growth in Chicago's suburbs
NASCAR's Chicago Street Race represents a crucial test for Cup Series
How do people really feel about NASCAR in Chicago? Chicagoans and Cook County residents are split
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicagoans think NASCAR street race will benefit the city
Harris Poll: Chicagoans look to Johnson to ignite positive change for the city
Will Johnson: Is Brandon Johnson up to the task? Even many of his supporters have doubts.
Brief • 3 min Read
Safety and affordability top-of-mind for Chicagoans ahead of mayoral inauguration
Harris Poll: Chicagoans are ready for CPS to make a positive change
Harris Poll: CPS sets an ambitious path for success, but public holds little optimism for improvement
Harris Poll: Businesses are better at raising awareness of social issues than fixing them
Lori Lightfoot Makes Her Case to Chicago
Bears Arlington Park stadium project beginning to win over more fans?
Will Johnson: Why Lightfoot - or almost anyone else - could win the mayoral election
Harris Poll: Chicagoans favor unions more than they support paying for public pensions
Brief • 4 min Read
Chicagoans expect to exercise their right to vote for mayor next month—just not sure for whom
Poll Positions
Harris Poll: High cost of housing is making Chicago inhospitable
Poll: Most Cook County residents think downtown Chicago is more dangerous than a year ago
Brief • 3 min Read
Public safety continues to be top of mind for Chicago's residents and businesses
Will Johnson: Chicago's No. 1 challenge is the reality of crime, not just its perception, a new poll shows
Chicago's homicide stats tell only part of the public safety story
Chicago takes a hyperlocal approach to closing racial health gaps
Will Johnson: Love Chicago? You are likely to give a thumbs-up to the plan for the city's casino
Real reasons to save midtier private colleges
Brief • 2 min Read
Few Chicagoans oppose casino development in River West
Consumers want the consumer protections but not so keen about paying more for clean energy
Brief • 2 min Read
Trustworthiness, honesty, competence at top of mind for Chicago voters
Will Johnson: What do Chicago voters want in a mayor? Competence, integrity and accomplishment
Great Lakes residents divided on who should lead on environmental issues, Harris Poll finds
Housing instability weighs on Chicagoans' minds, Harris Poll finds
Will Johnson: Could this be Chicago's comeback summer?
Brief • 3 min Read
Are Americans returning to summer tourism?
Tax increases push Chicagoans to their limit
Chicago-area workers still facing COVID's mental health effects
Investments in urban development could prevent Chicago from plateauing
Brief • 3 min Read
Reframing Public Safety Reform to Find Common Ground
Brief • 14 min Read
Reimagining Public Safety in Chicago: 6 Months Later
The Harris Poll and the MacArthur Foundation team up to understand how Chicago residents' perspectives on public safety have changed as 2021 draws to a close.
Brief • 2 min Read
The economics of entertainment: More investment in nightlife could help Chicago attract residents and businesses
Brief • 3 min Read
Now is the time to address economic inequity
Brief • 13 min Read
Addressing Chicago’s Economic Inequity
Chicagoan perceptions provide a window into wealth distribution and economic inequity in the area.
Brief • 2 min Read
The Harris Poll: Reimagining Public Safety in Chicago
Op-Ed: Do Chicagoans want to 'defund the police'? It's a tale of two cities.
Brief • 9 min Read
Reimagining Chicago’s Public Safety
Chicago residents want to see changes to the laws, systems, and organizations that can reduce gun violence and amend police-resident relations.
Crain's Daily Gist podcast: What business leaders think of Chicago's economic future
Biz sentiment turns positive here as vaccines spread
Commentary: Who's ready for a trade show? Poll shows there's hope for McCormick Place and other halls.
What are local execs thinking? Crain's exclusive Harris Poll finds out.
Here's the evidence - in case you needed it - that downtown's been seriously damaged
Ominous signs for downtown landlords - and upsides for Pritzker's tax plan
Brief • 2 min Read
Chicago Business Executive Pulse: Wave 1 Topical Insights