End-of-life decisions are deeply difficult to make. That’s why Dr. Mary Mulcahy and Chicago journalist Randi Belisomo are trying to get more people to have these conversations preemptively. They join us to discuss Life Matters Media, their new initiative to get people to talk more openly about death. Read an article and watch a video essay.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new speed cameras could make the city a fast buck. The city debuted its new automated camera system on Monday, with cameras now operational in four neighborhood parks. An additional eight locations will catch speed demons on film next month. View a map of speed camera locations.

According to Chicago Public Schools, safe passage routes are ready for the first day of the school year, Aug. 26, but some parents disagree. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. View safe passage maps.

We chat with Lieutenant Gov. Sheila Simon about why she has decided to throw her name into the race for Illinois Comptroller. Read more about the role of comptroller.

Bake and Destroy blogger Natalie Slater joins us with tips to make vegan food with a punk twist. Read an interview and recipe.

In tonight’s viewer feedback, we share what you had to say about our interview with Sonia Antolec, former prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorney's juveline division, who says she was demoted for dropping charges in a "wilding" case in the Loop.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into CPS cutting back to 10 standardized tests this year, down from 25. Also, they analyze the good, the bad, and the ugly of Lollapalooza. Watch the web extra conversation.

Tall ships, street art, and a Fest for Beatles fans. Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

On Aug. 8, 1988, 25 years ago tonight, history was made at Wrigley Field with the first scheduled night game in the history of the storied ballpark. Watch Chicago Tonight's coverage of the event in this web extra video from our archives.

The Illinois State Fair kicks off in Springfield. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney breaks down the political scene, including the start of the governor's race.

We break down the state of the Illinois governor’s race and what's happening with pension reform in the state.

Jahmal Cole was inspired to create a new web series after volunteering at the Cook County Jail and realizing that most of the inmates had never visited landmark sites, such as the Willis Tower.

Among the 14 historic ships heading for Chicago’s Tall Ships Festival is the “Lynx,” a two-masted schooner modeled after an 1812 “privateer.” I spent 24 hours on the Lynx as it sailed to Chicago. Read an article, view a slideshow, and watch Web Extra: Dawn on a Tall Ship for a video postcard of my trip.

The Fest for Beatles Fans returns to Chicago for its annual visit. Local author Robert Rodriguez, a Beatles authority and guest speaker at the Fest, has just written a book called Solo In The 70s about the post-Beatles careers of the Fab Four. He joins us. Read an excerpt from the book, Rodriguez's best solo album picks, and watch a web extra video from our archives.