The Forward Record
Every call we’ve printed. Dated, so you can hold us to it.
Chicago · Started 5 November 2026 · Updated 5 November 2026
A call is a plain statement about what happens next, printed with a date before it happens. This page keeps every one this paper has run, in the words we ran it, with a link to the story it came from.
Each call carries the day it gets checked and what would prove it wrong. When the day comes we mark it a hit, a miss or still running, with the reasons and a date. Misses stay up. Nothing comes off this page.
Oldest first. 14 calls so far. All open. The whole list as a spreadsheet file.
Printed 2 October 2026
No. 1The Bears Sent in Mr. Wolf
The callA bet on Hammond was a lottery ticket, years out of the money and going for pennies.
In plain wordsThe Bears do not build their stadium in Hammond, Indiana. First made 26 September 2026 and printed here 2 October 2026.
CheckedOpen until the Bears sign for a stadium site.
What would prove it wrongThe Bears sign to build their stadium in Hammond.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
Printed 19 October 2026
No. 2Everything Must Go
The callBefore the end of 2027, the city puts another public asset or stream of public money on the table for a long lease or a sale, and the pension hole is the reason it gives.
Checked31 December 2027.
What would prove it wrong31 December 2027 passes with no new long lease or sale of a Chicago public asset or money stream offered with the pension hole as the reason.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 3Everything Must Go
The callBefore the end of 2027, at least one more big Loop tower goes back to its lender or sells for less than half its last price.
Checked31 December 2027.
What would prove it wrong31 December 2027 passes with no big Loop tower handed back to its lender or sold for less than half its last price.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 4Everything Must Go
The callBefore the end of 2028, the South Works campus gets more public money or a longer tax break before it hits the jobs numbers it promised.
Checked31 December 2028.
What would prove it wrong31 December 2028 passes with no new public money or longer tax break for the South Works campus, or the campus hits its promised jobs numbers first.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
Printed 2 November 2026
No. 5Get On Board.
The callSpringfield passes the stadium deal after Pritzker wins. Paying off Soldier Field rides inside it.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 6Get On Board.
The callThe buying starts in Bridgeport. Deeds from 33rd to 39th, Canal to Halsted, go to LLCs with names you won’t recognize.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 7Get On Board.
The callAmtrak’s yard goes into the ground at 33rd.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 8Get On Board.
The callIshbia takes control of the Sox and they head for the river.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 9Get On Board.
The callThe Bears stay in Chicago. Arlington Heights gets a neighborhood built around its Metra stop, homes over shops, and the Bears cash out the land for more than they paid.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 10Get On Board.
The callThe Bears land on the rails in the South Loop, between Roosevelt and 35th, a short walk from the Sox. Two stadiums, one district, one rail line.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 11Get On Board.
The callA passenger stop shows up on a plan near 35th Street.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 12Get On Board.
The callThe link that runs trains from the south straight into Union Station gets its money.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 13Get On Board.
The callOne tap rides CTA, Metra and Pace.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
No. 14Get On Board.
The callChicago gets a Super Bowl.
Checked2028, as printed (“Clip it. Check it in 2028.”).
What would prove it wrongWhen we check in 2028, this step has not happened and nothing on the public record shows it under way.
StatusOpen as of 5 November 2026.
Read next
CorrectionsEvery fact this paper has had to fix, with a date on it.
The RecordThe history every call stands on.