Chicago is vying for three major institutions: the Barack Obama Presidential Library, The Lucas Cultural Arts Museum and a casino. We’ll take a closer look at possible locations and what urban planning issues Chicago faces with such enormous projects. Vote in a poll.

Over the years, the Archdiocese of Chicago has lost a number of its church buildings to the wrecking ball. But a few that were slated for demolition managed to survive. Among them is the Shrine of Christ the King on Chicago's south side. View a slideshow.

America’s Test Kitchen’s Jack Bishop stops by with a new book, The How Can it Be Gluten Free Cookbook. We discuss the some of the book’s recipes and food trends for spring. Check out recipes. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the pervasive patronage at Metra, the CTA plans for an L overpass at Belmont. Watch the web extra video.

Rodgers and Hammerstein hit the opera house when Lyric Opera stages The Sound of Music. We hear from two stars and get an in-studio performance of “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Read an interview with the actress who plays Maria in the musical, Jenn Gambatese.

Chef and restaurateur Rick Bayless stops by to share some delicious springtime dishes. Check out two recipes and view a behind-the-scenes slideshow.

Four solo exhibitions from local artists, plus one beast of an installation.

When French President François Hollande visited Washington in February, President Obama gave him a hand-crafted table. We meet the Chicago-area craftsman who designed and built the table, made in part with wood from George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Watch a video and view a slideshow.

Maggie Daley Park is taking shape with the addition of white building blocks called GeoFoam. We tell you how that will form the rolling hills of the park and how soon it may be open to the public. Read an article and view a slideshow.

A documentary airing on WTTW11 Monday titled The Trials of Muhammad Ali profiles the boxing legend's years in exile and court fight for freedom. Director Bill Siegel joins us. View a timeline of Ali's career.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the ramifications of the Northwestern football team’s effort to unionize. Watch the web extra video.

Cardinal Francis George says he’s asked the Vatican to begin the process to find a successor to take over as Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. George appeared before reporters Friday morning, a few days after undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in his kidney and liver. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

ReptileFest, a women's film festival, and a fashion show; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

George Lucas’s Star Wars museum could land in Chicago. Married to Chicago investment executive Mellody Hobson, Lucas has called Chicago his “second home” and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is rolling out the red carpet in a bid to capture the new museum. We discuss Chicago’s chances. Read an interview with Don Welsh, Choose Chicago CEO and President.

New York Times obituary writer Bruce Weber was teetering between life and death, and questioning what it all meant in 2011. To cope, he took his second bike ride across the country. We talk with Weber about his ride experience and the book that arose from his meditation. Read an interview and a book excerpt.

In part three of our Vivian Maier series, Jay Shefsky introduces us to several people trying to unravel the mystery of the celebrated photographer.