G. Flint Taylor, 01/04/13

Founding Partner, People’s Law Office

If 2012 is any measuring stick, it is fair to say that the new mayor is just like the old mayor when it comes to police torture and misconduct, the code of silence, and pinstripe patronage. Can we reasonably expect 2013 to be any different?

Tom Cramer, 01/04/13

Late Boom, Early X

I believe in this team. I believe that Notre Dame will still be undefeated and ranked Number One on January 8th. I believe.

Brent Toderian, 01/03/13

City Planner + Urbanist, TODERIAN UrbanWORKS, Former Vancouver Chief Planner

At this time of year, most of us are thinking hard about New Year's resolutions to make our personal, family and professional lives better. But before we finalize the list of losing weight, balancing our household finances, or cleaning out that back closet, what if we picked a few that could improve our lives, while ALSO improving our cities, towns and communities?

David Catalan, 01/04/13

Engineer, Activist, Writer; Co-founder of MiLove

Although anti-LGBT constitutional amendments gobbled whole regions of the U.S. over the past decade, Minnesota successfully bucked the trend. Still, a look at the map reminds us same sex marriage is allowed only in the geographic fringes of the country.

Michael Tomaso, 01/02/13

News Producer

After three offensive coordinators and soon-to-be two head coaches, Jay Cutler is the Chicago Bears "franchise" quarterback. He is the best quarterback the Bears have on their team.

George Goehl, 01/03/13

Executive Director, National People’s Action

All the legislation does is require that corporations disclose how much they pay to the state. Working families in the state are paying taxes. All we want to do is make sure the big corporations are doing the same. If they have nothing to hide, why do they care?

Geoffrey R. Stone, 01/01/13

Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago

With the Illinois legislature poised to consider a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, Chicago's Cardinal George insists that same-sex marriage is incompatible with "nature." One might just as easily the same about celibacy.

Michael Jones, 01/02/13

Read Surf Think

How far below the surface, despite a newly re-elected African American President, despite a Civil War to free the slaves depicted in the movie, despite the monumental shift brought about by the civil rights movement, are the grapes of wrath stored in a Tarantino world?

Sheila Simon, 12/31/12

Illinois Lieutenant Governor

What exactly is at risk in the higher education fiscal cliff come fall of 2013? According to the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, that $5,000 tab is generated from several devastating reductions, including:

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD, 12/31/12

Medical director, New York State Office of Mental Health

Promised Land was tightly written by Matt Damon and John Krasinski from a story by Dave Eggers. The movie is yet another of Participant Media's co-productions; they are a company that knows how to get behind a broad range of social issues.

David Ormsby, 12/28/12

Public Relations Strategist, Ex-Press Secretary, Democratic Party of Illinois

When the governor proposes his FY 2014 budget in March, rather pushing another round of mental health funding cuts, Quinn needs to recommend more money for mental health care.

Jack Darin, 12/29/12

Director, Sierra Club, Illinois

Past the cliff comes what, the abyss? Wherever the metaphors and rhetoric are headed as the stalemate in Congress continues, here in the real world the stakes are high for our health and the quality of our land, air and water.

Ralph Nader, 12/28/12

Consumer advocate, lawyer and author

Many people view the New Year as a time for resolutions -- losing weight, exercising more, staying in better touch with friends, taking up a new hobby. Here's something you don't often hear of when considering New Year's resolutions -- devoting more time to civic life.

Matthew Bailey, 01/02/13

Press Secretary, Alderman Moreno

In most conversations I had with Nepalis, more time was spent on the past than on the future. Many people I spoke to, and it's an opinion I came to share, feel that Nepal presents a unique opportunity to (America and Europe) interests in the region.

Mark Bazer, 01/02/13

Host, 'The Interview Show'; Syndicated humor columnist.

John Williams is a hero of mine. And a good friend, so I kind of hope he doesn't see that I just called him a hero, because that will embarrass him. He just left WGN Radio, and Chicago is for the worse.

Andrea L. Zopp, 12/28/12

President and CEO
, Chicago Urban League

While I'm more than willing to join the conversation about stronger gun control laws and increased funding for mental health services, I believe that our problems won't be solved by addressing these issues only.

Michael J. Petrilli, 12/31/12

Executive Vice President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

If 2011 was the "year of school choice," then 2012 was the "year of the resurgent teachers union." And leading the comeback was Chicago's Karen Lewis -- fiery, forceful, and unabashedly oppositional.