M-Tribe reader Keith – who attended Sunday’s show in Chicago after going also on Thursday – reports that Madonna praised the crowd saying they were her best crowd so far and that she meant that and wasn’t “just blowing smoke up our ass.”

“There are reports in the papers today in Chicago that Madonna has something special planned for tonight’s show (which I’m also going to)” – Keith also reports. “This just could be a rumor, but here’s an excerpt from one of the reports, from Red Eye Chicago.

• Workout Confessions

Madonna wraps up the Chicago stretch on her “Confessions Tour” on Monday, and despite a rigorous concert schedule, she still has time to work out.

During her stay in the Windy City, the superstar has been using equipment from a local Pilates studio to stay fit. Body Endeavors owner Liv Berger told Red Eye’s Liz Crockin about getting together with Madonna’s trainer to provide some equipment for Madge to use at her downtown hotel suite.

Berger also talked about some of Madonna’s other workout secrets:

• Madonna works out for about 3 (yes, 3!) hours a day.
• Her trainer teaches her a combination of Pilates and yoga. Madonna likes a classical style of Pilates.

Because she needed shoulder rehab after her horse-riding accident in 2005, she has slowed down on the yoga, although she always expects challenging routines.
• She also runs on the treadmill.

Berger told Red Eye that Madonna has been spending some quality time with her children while in Chicago. And speaking of quality, word has it that Madonna’s Chicago finale on Monday is supposed to be special!

From Red Eye ChicagoKeith.