see our series on How to Make a Crossword Puzzle. 78 words for a 15×15 (72 for a themeless); 140 for a 21×21. Maximums may be exceeded slightly at the editor’s discretion, if the theme warrants.
We’ve distilled some highlights of the year in Chicago news into this crossword puzzle, which will surely bring our city so much joy that we will instantly have a budget and a teachers’ contract.