Credit: Photo by Colleen Durkin

Critics' Picks

Best use of faux religious iconography

Best new rails-to-trails conversion that isn’t the Bloomingdale Trail

Best new tech development to make your mouth water

Best AM caffeine substitute

Best indicator that the CTA is as slow as you think

Best sex-positive podcast

Best online publication following the astounding things your alderman does

Best signs that the lakefront liberal is dead

Best evidence Anita Alvarez might have a sense of humor

Best political flack

Best rebel alliance against the Empire

Best alternative use of Christmas lights

Best youth delegation to the United Nations

Best place to bone up on Chicago’s legal history

Best show of architectural chutzpah

Best soul-singing sensei

Best new college sports program

Best NCAA basketball tournament appearance streak

Best retro sports facility

Best affordable indoor tennis club

Readers Poll

Best Chicagoan to follow on Twitter

Best street character

Best alderman

Best journalist

Best local blog

Best neighborhood

Best view of the city

Best athlete

Best historic building

Best charity

Best bowling alley

Best dog park

Best activist

Best LGBTQ organization