Chicago saw many changes in 2011. After 22 years, we saw Mayor Richard M. Daley hand over City Hall to Rahm Emanuel. Former Governor Rod Blagojevich was finally sentenced after two trials that felt too long for most of us. A blizzard blanketed the city with more than 20 inches of snow and a summer storm soaked Grant Park during Lollapalooza, leaving it a muddy mess for weeks.

We asked HuffPost Chicago readers to submit their favorite photos of the year, and went back to find some of our favorites from the stories we were following in 2011. Check out our picks for the best photos of the year below, and be sure to vote for your favorite. For more of our year in review, be sure to check out expert picks for the best music, art, theater and shopping of 2011.