10 Best Trails and Parks for Runners in Chicago

Are you currently training for the Chicago Marathon and looking to switch up your routine or are you looking to step out of your comfort zone on your next run? Fitt Chicago has compiled a list of the best running trails and parks in Chicago that every runner should experience.

Unsure how to get there or afraid of what you may encounter? The map below features starting and exit points, lengths of the trails and a short description of what you might find and see on your run–making you even want to slow down to see them!

The miles and level of difficulty were taken from All Trails‘ criteria.

Have you ever run through these trails and parks or know of any hidden gems in the city? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Chicago’s Population Loss

By Emily Karns and Areli Quintana

Earlier this year, the U.S. Census Bureau released updated numbers that showed Chicago would hold on to its position as the third largest city in the country with a population of 2.7 million.

However, the data also alarmed many. The numbers showed that Chicago was the only major city in the country to lose residents. In the year 2016, more than 66,000 people left Cook County.

A History of the World Cup

With soccer being one the most followed sports in the world, it’s no surprise that the FIFA World Cup reaches billions every four years.

The World Cup has a rich history filled with suspense and drama. Take a look back at some of the most vivid moments in World Cup history with the help of this timeline.

Are there any other moments worth noting? Let us know in the comments!

10 Cities in America with a Drinking Problem

Based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of drinking in America, Men’s Health magazine created a list of the top 10 cities in America dealing with a drinking problem.

The list is based on liver disease, bing drinking, DUI laws, arrests, and crashes.

Check out this map to see what cities made the list.

What do you think? Did Men’s Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention get anything wrong?

Top 10 Vegan Restaurants for Everyone in Chicago

The Chicago Diner in Logan Square (Photo by Marnie Ann Joyce via The Alcohol Professor)

When transitioning into a vegan diet and lifestyle, many struggle to make their own food and find the proper nutrients to supplement their bodies with. Luckily, Chicago ranks 8th in cities in the United States with the most vegan restaurants. Making the search for delicious and nutritional vegan food easier.

Vegans will also find themselves struggling to eat out with their non-vegan friends and family members. Vegans will often find that not many people are willing to venture out of their regular diet. While many of these restaurant are 100 percent plant-based, they try to mimic foods as closely as possible so that non-vegans will enjoy as well. Many of these restaurants offer options for both meat and non-meat eaters.

The following map shows where to find the best vegan restaurants for those beginning their vegan journey or those trying to find a place to eat with their friends that accommodates both their needs.

The list was compiled through the top-rated vegan restaurants on Yelp and based off personal experience.

Thanks to these restaurant, the struggle to find great vegan places to eat is a lot easier.

Are you willing to try out these vegan restaurants? Leave a comment below and tell us which you’re most likely to try out.

Tracking the Impact of Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade’s Departure

Dwyane Wade (left) and Jimmy Butler (right) share a conversation during a Chicago Bulls game.

Jimmy Butler first emerged as an All-Star in the NBA 2014-25 season. He quickly became a household name in Chicago and emerged as a superstar in the 2015-26 NBA season. Dwayne Wade was already three time NBA champion when Butler was first emerging as a star player in the league.

Both stars would end up on the same Bulls team in the 2016-17 season. Their fates on the team would be very similar with Butler being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Wade reaching a buyout deal days before the 2017-18 training camp .

Both stars would leave an impact on Chicago. Wade, a Chicago-area native, would leave one on the communities he helped around Chicago. Butler would do the same as many remember him for emerging as a star and leading the Bulls to the playoffs when deemed impossible.

So which stars’ departure would leave a bigger impact in the sports world and Chicago area?

According to Google Trends, Jimmy Butler’s trade reached its peak popularity when announced on June 22^nd whereas Wade’s buyout announcement received a much shorter search impact.

The Google Trends comparison was narrowed down to United States and then Illinois both sharing similar results.

Despite Wade’s popularity and prior experience on a championship team, his declining performance and drama that emerged during the season could be a reason for the less impactful search trend.

Jimmy Butler was drafted 30^th overall in the 2011 draft, and averaged 2.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in that season. By the 2014-15 season, his development and ability to perform as a leader made him household name and loved athlete in the basketball world and in Chicago, thus possibly explaining the impact of his trade a much more popular search trend.

Trump Tweets Impact on NFL Searches

On September 23^rd, President Trump began tweeting his criticism of professional athletes and the rise of protests during the national anthem at the beginning of NFL games. His tweets thus led to an increase in searches for the NFL (National Football League) on Google.

Although his first tweet was in regard to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors saying he would not attend the White House as a part of the celebration of the team’s championship win on June 2017. He tweeted the following:

Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

He then proceeded to tweet about the NFL:

If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL,or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

…our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

Although these first few tweets had no impact on Google searches, his tweets on September 24 at 5:44 am helped NFL searches skyrocket and his name remain a bit neutral where as before it was only trending a bit over the NFL.

President Trump’s tweets help us see how much of an influence he has over social media. The NFL was not a very popular search before, but because his tweets helped the searches for the NFL increase in a matter of a couple of hours. People probably want to know who is kneeling or whether the President has the right to call out certain players.

Furthermore, Trump’s name is overshadowed by the NFL searches making. This could be meant to deflect any controversies occurring within the administration such as the President’s lack of attention towards devastated Puerto Rico.

Google Trends helps us see how influential President Trump truly is on Twitter and how a couple of tweets helps searches on a certain topic affects what people want to read or see.

Practice Story

Gov. Pat Quinn talks about MAP grants at DePaul University. (Photo by Josclynn Brandon)

Editor’s note: This story was originally posted on Dec. 12, 2012 and is housed at RedLineProject.org. It’s been repurposed with permission for this assignment:

By Bob Smith

Gov. Pat Quinn visited DePaul University’s Loop campus on Wednesday to discuss how pension reform is harming the Monetary Award Program (MAP) college scholarships and access to higher education in Illinois.

“This is so important to our state, not only in the past, but certainly now and in the future,” Quinn said.
“We want everyone to have the opportunity to go to college that has the ability to go to college.” 

MAP grants are need-based college scholarships that allow merit students who are in need across the state and do not need to be repaid by the student. Quinn said that due to cutbacks and having to pay more money in the pension amount, almost 18,000 students lost their MAP grant scholarships this year.