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The number and location of tornadoes in the greater Chicago area is a topic of frequent interest among the media, public, and local government agencies served by the National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago Forecast Office. While accounts of tornadoes over the last several decades are generally clear, tornadoes occurring prior to 1950—especially those considered to be weak—are often more difficult to discern owing to limited corresponding detailed reports. As part of an effort to review and update all tornadoes known to have occurred within the modern-day boundaries of Chicago, NWS Chicago staff reviewed the 22 May 1855 tornado, which is regarded as the first to impact the city of Chicago. Multiple sources reported that the tornado occurred near the town of Jefferson, which eventually became the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago. However, after reviewing multiple historical records, newspaper articles, property maps, and genealogical information, the actual location of the tornado was determined to have been in present-day Des Plaines. Confusion over the name "Jefferson" likely led to the misunderstanding that, until now, has been perpetuated through numerous reports and media accounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the role of library union, Chicago Public Library (CPL) Local 88, in the development of the CPL in Chicago, Illinois, in 1937-1952. Based on the published newsletters and records available in the Chicago Public Library Municipal Reference Collection, Local 88 had carried out strategies to strengthen the weakening civil service practice within the CPL, improved educational opportunities for staff, and provided cultural and social events for employees. In addition, the union led to the development of a new moral model for public librarianship and rejected the patronage process of professionalism.

The article focuses on African and African American performers and entertainers who participated in the world's fair Century of Progress held in Chicago, Illinois in 1933-1934. Accounts of the Century of Progress appearing in the African American newspaper "Chicago Defender" are explored. Some of the participants discussed include African American Jazz bandmaster Major N. Clark Smith, Ashanti Royal heir Duke Kwesi Kuntu who led an African performing group featuring Africans from Ashanti and Sierra Leone, West African prince and American college student Modupe Paris who featured traditional African ceremonies, African American tap dancer Bill Robinson, and African American pianist Earl Hines.