Mitch Dudek

Larry Hart poured his multi-disciplinary artistic talents into fostering the Off-Loop theater movement in the 60s, 70s and beyond. “He was part of this group of people who started doing really interesting plays and helped Chicago develop its own unique id... See more

In 1954, Vera Jeanne Materre was featured on the cover of Jet magazine alongside the caption: “Pretty Chicago Schoolmarm also doubles as nightclub singer.” Mrs. Materre, who went by Jeanne (Jet misspelled it “Jean”) sang jazz standards in South Side clubs... See more

Acclaimed Chicago chef Steve Chiappetti approached life like a trip to Disney World, one of his favorite places: Run in. Do as much as you can before it’s time to leave. “Everything to him was a celebration. His energy was insane, and it was contagious,” ... See more

You haven’t heard of Lorenzo Elano. He’s hoping to change that. Elano, who’s 18 and lives in West Ridge, is one of the country’s best figure skaters, and he’s had a big year. He won the junior national championships in Wichita, Kan., in January. And in No... See more

Brendan McNeill was an unmistakable figure. He owned several of the city’s most well-known Irish pubs. He was well-dressed, always, with a nose knocked slightly crooked and an Irish brogue that welcomed stroller-pushing families and boomed over a crowded ... See more