Some business to get out of the way: the reader poll results were determined by you, the readers! If you’re angry about the results, you only have yourselves to blame! Let this be a reminder to keep a close eye on when voting begins next year so you can campaign for your favorites to get the top spot. Or better yet, share your own losses and gains on social media and tag us @Chicago_Reader with the hashtags #bestofchi and #BoC2020. Tell us what made your year worthwhile, shine a light on the people, places, and things that helped you survive, and we’ll share with our followers. I should also acknowledge that a lot of writers’ picks skew to the north side, in part because we weren’t leaving our homes and that’s where many of us live. It’s something we recognize and are always working on changing—I hope this encourages all folks reading this to look beyond those borders.
Review the closed ballot to see all the finalists.
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Best alternative to the Lakefront path
The 606
Runner-up: North Branch Trail
Best athlete
Javier Báez
Runner-up: José Abreu
Best billiards
Surge Billiards
Runner-up: Chris’s Billiards
Best canoe/kayak rentals
Urban Kayaks
Runner-up: Chicago River Canoe and Kayak
Best dog park
Montrose Dog Beach
Runner-up: Jackson Bark
Best neighborhood park
Humboldt Park
Runner-up: Winnemac Park
Best pro men’s sports team
Chicago White Sox
Runner-up: Chicago Cubs
Best pro women’s sports team
Chicago Sky
Runner-up: Chicago Red Stars
Best sports TV/radio announcer
Pat Hughes
Runner-up: Len Kasper
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