As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s #OnThetable2014, Chicago Tonight's Brandis Friedman hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog of the event and watch videos of what participants had to say.

They spar, make obscene gestures, and throw around insults like “egregious dog,” “counterfeit rascal” and “damned and luxurious mountain goat.”

After smoke led an Elgin radar facility to be evacuated, all inbound and outbound flights were stopped at O'Hare International and Midway airports, according to the Associated Press. 

State legislation allowing psychologists to prescribe medication drugs was approved in a House committee vote last week and now moves on to the full House for further debate. Tonight, we take a look at the controversial bill and debate the pros, cons. Learn more and read the full bill.

“The White Snake” chronicles the tale of a gentle serpent spirit who transforms herself one day into a beautiful young woman and travels down to the world of humans. So begins Mary Zimmerman’s interpretation of the classic Chinese fable into a spectacular Goodman Theatre production. See a slideshow from the play. 

Like most big cities, Chicago has a rat problem. Exterminators and local municipalities do their best to make a dent, but now there's a new approach to rodent control that is actually quite old. 

Elizabeth Brackett, Eddie Arruza and Brandis Friedman participated in the Chicago Community Trust initiative called On the Table. Last night they hosted three dinner-and-discussion forums.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis discusses her opposition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election, who she would like to see run against him, the union’s proposal for a new tax on financial transactions and much more. 

As student loan debt spirals out of control, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin pushes legislation to lower interest rates and save individual borrowers thousands. 

The Cook County Forest Preserve District makes its biggest land purchase in nearly 50 years snapping up a foreclosed 400 acre horse farm in Barrington Hills.  We look at how the Forest Preserve was able to afford the $14.5 million property and what it might become. 

Coming off the worst defensive season in Chicago Bears history, it's no surprise General Manager Phil Emery used this year's draft to beef up the team's defense. Read an interview with the Bears new signee and former Northern Illinois University quarterback, Jordan Lynch.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

A film festival, an orchestra concert and a Mother's Day celebration; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines. 

On this edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Joel Weisman and his guest discuss this week's headlines.