Older work, a few things I’m especially proud of:
Data-heavy investigations for Catalyst Chicago:
CHA’s Commuter Kids, 2001
When Chicago tore down much of its public housing, families scattered to homes in far-flung neighborhoods– but the schools stayed put, and many of the kids commuted back.
Can middle-class kids be lured back? 2002
As Chicago’s schools made their pitch, we looked at how big the middle-class exodus was: As white homeowners became a bigger presence in gentrifying areas, they actually sent fewer children to local schools.
Narrative peeks into the city’s odd corners, for the Chicago Reader:
The Pink Nun, 2003
A chastity advocate with art-school training hits the streets in a hot-pink habit, hawking buttons and fridge magnets with slogans like “Lock your cock” and “You ain’t gettin’ nun!”
Johnny joins the freak-bike gang, 2004
How cubicle-rat Jon-Richard Little transformed himself into Rat Patrol apostle Johnny Payphone, spending his days and nights scrounging for useful junk– and edible food.
A tear-jerker from Crain’s Chicago Business:
When death comes to work, 2006
Obituaries don’t list co-workers as “survivors,” but they grieve too.
Lots more stuff on the Wayback Machine page, from the Chicago Reader, Crain’s Chicago Business, Catalyst Chicago, and other local publications.
Dan Weissmann 