I am a big dumb animal who would drink the Malört cicada shot

Illinois doesn’t win often. And, thus, Chicago has made celebrating its losses an art form.

There have been bright spots, of course. The Cubs won a World Series. The Sky earned a WNBA title. The Bear has shined a much-needed light on the culinary wizardry that takes place in the midwest.

But mostly? Searing defeat. The 100 years of Cubs losses that preceded their breakthrough. The ongoing existence of the post-1985 Bears. The ceased existence of the rat hole.

Dealing with this has sustained one of America’s finest...