Enough already

Cell-phone reception in subways
Remember those meditative, quiet times on the train when you were lulled into daydream land by only the dulcet snores of urban outdoorsmen? Sadly, those days are gone for good. Although U.S. Cellular hammered out a deal with the CTA to offer subterranean service way back in 2006, AT&T became the last of the major carriers to get connected just last month. Hell, even budget carrier Cricket is in on the game, meaning anyone who wants to blab personal conversations in front of a train full of strangers now has the bars to do it.

Everybody’s food blog
We love that the city’s thriving restaurant scene has given rise to an army of citizen food critics, but once in a while we wouldn’t mind enjoying a nice meal without a slew of digital cameras snapping at every table, or wincing in embarrassment as overzealous foodies fawningly ask the chef to pose for pics and sign autographs.

Late-night cab fare
For most hearty Chicagoans, cabs were once reserved for special occasions and dire emergencies—the city’s trains and buses always got us from A to B, albeit only semireliably. That changed earlier this month, when the CTA’s never-ending budget woes resulted in reduced frequency on 119 bus routes as well as trains, and ended service earlier in the evening for 41 routes. Late-shift workers and late-night revelers now have to hail to the cab, and cough up a few extra bucks for the privilege.