Commentary and Analysis

Far from merely reflecting an unequal distribution of economic means, rising inequality comes with a range of toxic side effects, many of which the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into sharp relief.

It is not just cities, but also their local and global supply chains, travel networks, airports and specific neighborhoods that are sources of contagion.

As COVID-19 spreads around the world, Council expert Robert Muggah shares his viewpoints on pandemics, why they are becoming more common, and how cities can help minimize current and future threats.

Will COVID-19 change how cities are designed? Michele Acuto of the Connected Cities Lab talks about density, urbanization and pandemic preparation.

States like Michigan are feeling the lack of international students and refugees as immigration restrictions cut off the Midwest's economic lifeline.

Seriously addressing the region’s plastic apocalypse will require moving beyond blunt moves such as plastic bag bans.

In October, I visited Seoul with a delegation of Chicago Council Emerging Leaders on a Korea Foundation-funded trip led by Karl Friedhoff, the Council’s Korea specialist.

Brookings' Anthony F. Pipa and UL's Catherine P. Sheehy join  Deep Dish  to discuss the way forward for cities, the private sector, and SDGs.

There are two Midwests now. While the nation was focused on this old Midwest, the new Midwest has taken shape. It’s a Midwest that lives on brains, not brawn. It produces ideas and services, not ingots and autos.

The Midwest possesses huge political and economic power in the United States. Richard C. Longworth explains the five things to know about the Midwest in 2020.