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“Friends of the Forge” is a guest blog series that aims to both address issues and promote great ideas around the Chicago education system by channeling the expertise of thought leaders within the community. Ten years ago, a public policy discussion about how to best modernize the United States’ electrical grid took root in Illinois. And … Read more An Exclusive Look Behind The Modernization of the Electric Grid in Chicago

Are you a work-at-home (WAH) professional in search of a place to get things done in lieu of the crowded coffee shop and isolation factor? If you’ve fallen into an unproductive rut due to the common household distractions of dirty dishes in the sink, unfolded laundry on the bed and your cat crawling atop your keyboard, … Read more Free Range Office is the Perfect Alternative for Work-at-Home Professionals

The room was buzzing with excitement, and it wasn’t just because of the big-screen broadcast of the Cubs-Cardinals game, though the spirit of gleeful anticipation would have been right at home at Wrigley Field. Monday marked the beginning of Chicago Ideas Week, the seven-day series of talks, labs, and events that temporarily turns Chicago into an … Read more Dispatches From Chicago Ideas Week’s Opening Toast

Gone are the days of unsuccessful hailing of cabs; these days, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft provide convenience through technology to get where you need to be. But what if you want to get there in an environmentally conscious way? Enter Chicago-based startup, G-Ride. This rideshare with a purpose is gearing up for its launch in … Read more This Chicago Rideshare is Going Green

Every year, $1.2 trillion is spent on global travel. What CEO of Chicago’s rapid-growing corporate events platform Chris Brown has discovered is that there is an underserved marketplace in the events space. His approach is different than the rest of the industry in that he’s not copying a recipe for success from competitors, but is … Read more Chicago CEO is Out to Change The Trillion Dollar Corporate Travel Marketplace

The Purpose A little idea by an arts instructor in 2005 has evolved into a big movement in urban neighborhoods – and it all started right here, in Chicago. In 2005, founder Kamelia Hristeva noticed local children needed – and deserved – a meaningful arts opportunity in a time when funding was being slashed. That’s … Read more Broken Art Makes Urban Neighborhoods Whole

During my interview with Mason Day, the co-founder of GrowIt, he stumped me when I asked about his favorite plant. “It’s lantana camara,” Day told me, rather excitedly. “It is this little, kind of hardy plant, you can get it and put it in a container or down south it actually turns into a shrub, … Read more This App is Growing a Younger Generation of Gardeners

Although XFINITY Mobile officially launched online in May, the exciting new mobile service is now making its way to XFINITY retail stores, starting off first with Chicago area locations. Put simply, XFINITY Mobile is a new wireless service designed to deliver a better and faster experience for less money, while still utilizing the most popular mobile devices … Read more Reggie Watts Helps Launch XFINITY Mobile in Chicago

This morning, I got locked out of my own smartphone. It happened after I had exceeded the maximum number of fingerprint-recognition attempts. My phone graciously informed me that I could try again in 29 seconds. After a seemingly eternal half minute, I was allowed to try again. But when I placed my index finger over the … Read more This Nonprofit Is Ensuring STEM Jobs Are Attainable for Everyone

Have you ever been frustrated by a Google search that only answers a part of your question? Usually these questions begin with “How do I … ?” Watch Me Work hopes to change this by allowing experts in all areas to share the creative process via live streaming, as it happens, so you’re not stuck … Read more Idea Live Streaming Can Answer Life’s Un-Googleable Questions