> This isn't an editorial-driven magazine or online newspaper.

So what? Your stated goal "a front page that represents everything you should read right now to know what's cool and relevant in Chicago." is direct competition for every general-purpose news outlet in Chicago.

They don't think "he has no editors" or "he's not calling it a newspaper". They see "he's trying to be the place people go to find out what's cool and relevant" because that's what they're doing.

You're competition.