For the first time in a year, there is a state budget, albeit a temporary one. There is also relief for Chicago Public Schools, but with some caveats. Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us with the latest.

Now that it’s clear that “Star Wars” creator George Lucas will be taking his project to another state, what of the small nonprofit group that fell the mighty filmmaker and his supporter, Mayor Rahm Emanuel? Friends of the Parks Executive Director Juanita Irizarry joins us.

Have decades of budgetary tricks and rising pension costs made bankruptcy inevitable for the city of Chicago as well as its public school system? We debate the issue.

Hiss Majesty, a 16-year-old Caiman lizard at the Shedd Aquarium, was fitted for a new prosthetic limb on Wednesday.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama announced Thursday that the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago will be designed by renowned architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien.  

With both the Republican and Democratic conventions around the corner, there’s lots of speculation around vice presidential picks for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Who’s likely to get the nod from Trump or Clinton?

Blair Kamin, Pulitzer prize-winning architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, talks about the architectural artistry of Harvard Yard and his new book on the subject.

Go out with a bang this weekend as fireworks, parades and festivals offer plenty of ways to celebrate across the city and suburbs.

As Chicago struggles to understand and control rising gun violence, there may be insight to be found in social media.  

Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis talks about what may be happening in Springfield to help CPS and what it could mean for contract negotiations.

A day of special session for the Illinois House and Senate ended with no significant action on a budget agreement. Amanda Vinicky shares details of what’s been happening behind the scenes.

Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about Chicago's North suburban neighbors in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Crain’s Chicago Business managing editor Ann Dwyer reports on a less conventional way to get those hot “Hamilton” tickets, the newest bank acquisitions in town and changes to the clothing startup Trunk Club.