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Quinn Responds to Madigan and Cullerton's Lawsuit

Gov. Pat Quinn responds to the lawsuit filed against him by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. The two legislative leaders filed suit Tuesday challenging the governor's decision to withhold paychecks from lawmakers until they come up with a pension reform solution. Paris Schutz has the details. Read Quinn's statement.

The Public/Private Pendulum

Could private dollars provide the key to building innovative, efficient infrastructure in Chicago? We chat with the new head of the city's controversial Infrastructure Trust.

Local Store Closed for Gang Activity

Humboldt Park neighbors come together to get gangs off the street corner. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

Chicago's Protest Culture

Could Chicago be the next Taksim Square? We talk with Rick Perlstein, who wrote about Chicago’s protest culture in The Nation.

Rats!

Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation says that requests for rat control services are down 15 percent this year.

Web Extra: Cats at Work Project

While Jay Shefsky tagged along with city workers to learn more about rat control in Chicago, we were curious to find out about other local organizations that had alternative ways of dealing with rats – aside from spreading poison to kill the pesky creatures. We spoke with Jenny Schlueter, Community Cats Program Director at the Tree House Humane Society, about a “green” approach to rat control in Chicago called the Cats at Work Project. Read an interview.

"Fractured: North Dakota's Oil Boom"

In a Field Museum exhibition, a Chicago photographer teams with a nationally known journalist to document and explore the North Dakota oil boom. Hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – passed the Illinois House legislature, and the controversial drilling practice will soon have implications for the state. We revisit a preview of Fractured: North Dakota's Oil Boom. View a slideshow of images from the exhibit and read a web article.

Jeff Garlin

We revisit a conversation with Curb Your Enthusiasm star Jeff Garlin about his new independent film Dealin’ with Idiots, a youth baseball comedy. Watch the film trailer and a web extra conversation with Garlin.

Bruce Rauner

Venture capitalist Bruce Rauner, co-founder of private equity firm GTCR, won the GOP nomination. 

Pat Quinn

He’s got the job Bruce Rauner wants; Gov. Pat Quinn is seeking re-election to a second full term.

Mayor Touts Drop in CTA Absenteeism on Heels of New Fare System Launch

The CTA says it has saved $10 million this year, but it faces a host of other financial problems and the rollout of the new Ventra fare card system. Will fares go up? Paris Schutz has the latest.

Analysis of Pope Francis' Remarks on Gay Priests

In light of Pope Francis’ statements on gay priests and women during an 80-minute impromptu press conference, we take a look at his papacy and how it compares with others.

Lake Shore Drive Redesign

Are you sick of traffic jams and lakefront path congestion on the 7-mile stretch on the north end of Lake Shore Drive? An overhaul of the Drive from Grand Avenue all the way to the end at the Hollywood curve is in the planning phase. Some ideas include reducing driving speeds, easing the Oak Street curve, adding bus-only lanes, relieving traffic pinch points, and improving lakefront access and easing overcrowding on the lakefront path. We have analysis.

Chicago’s Library Chief on Changes Ahead

We talk with Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon about his vision for bringing the city’s libraries into the 21st century.

City Inoculates Ash Trees

The City of Chicago says it now has a greener and more cost-effective way to treat ash trees infested by the destructive Emerald Ash Borer. City crews are inoculating the trees. Officials say the treatment will spare tens of thousands of trees from being cut down, and saves $1,000 per tree in removal costs. We look at how effective the treatment is. Read an article.