Ask Geoffrey

Ask Geoffrey

How did the village of Winnetka solve a dangerous and tedious transportation problem 70 years ago? Geoffrey Baer tells us about the "big dig" in Ask Geoffrey.

• Winnetka Historical Society
• Winnetka Story Documentary
• "X" is for Railroad Crossings: The "Big Ditch"
• Fire Insurance Patrol Article
• Chicago Fire Insurance Patrol
• Richard Nickel Committee
• NPR story on Nickel

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections: 'Out in Chicago'

The Chicago History Museum is putting its final touches on its newest exhibit. We talk to the curator of "Out in Chicago," a history of Chicago's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

• More on the Story: Behind-the-scenes slideshow & LGBT memorabilia
• "Out in Chicago" exhibit
• More Cultural Connections

Education

School Reform Plans

Longer school days in Chicago and teacher layoffs based on performance not seniority. Those are just two of the changes in a school reform bill sitting on Gov. Quinn's desk. We find out how it will affect students and teachers throughout the state.

• More on the Story: Read more about the reform bill
• Contact Gov. Quinn

Science & Nature

Net-Zero Energy House

This home is believed to be one of the most energy-efficient homes in the country. But not everyone is ecstatic about the eco-friendly home's impact on the surrounding environment. Ash-har Quraishi reports on the growing pains of going green in the city.

• More on the Story: Photo gallery and web article
• Would you live next to the net-zero energy house's wind turbine?

Business

New City Budget Director

Chicago's new mayor is ordering an audit of the city's controversial TIF program. Eddie Arruza talks with the mayor's budget director about what's being uncovered as the new financial team looks into the city's books.

• Chicago Tonight's Rahm Emanuel page
• More on the Story: Emanuel's finance team

Science & Nature

Sustainable Design

A new exhibit showcases the efforts of 10 internationally known designers to offer eco-friendly solutions that meld sustainable materials with aesthetic design. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

• More on the Story: A gallery of photographs from the exhibit
• The Nature Conservancy: Design for a Living World
• The Field Museum exhibition

Politics

Undocumented Immigrants

Thousands of immigrants today live in the Chicago area. We talk with a 19-year-old who shares her life story about living in Chicago -- undocumented. Nick Shields reports.

• More on the Story: A slideshow of family photographs
• Should the children of undocumented immigrants be given a path to U.S. citizenship?

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Fireworks Fly at Blagojevich Retrial

Rod Blagojevich's one-time best friend Lon Monk is back on the stand today. And there are fireworks between Judge Zagel and defense attorneys. Elizabeth Brackett has the story from the former governor's corruption retrial.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Education

Jean-Claude Brizard

Mayor Emanuel's controversial pick for Chicago Public Schools CEO, Jean-Claude Brizard, sits down with Carol Marin to talk about his experience and vision for students and teachers here.

• More on the Story: CPS leadership team
• More on the Story: Brizard's history

Rahm Emanuel Archive

Mayor Emanuel's First City Council Meeting

Mayor Rahm Emanuel presided over his first City Council meeting today. It was a largely ceremonial event that included an embrace between the new mayor and a presumed political foe. Eddie Arruza reports on the new faces and new direction at Chicago's City Hall.

• Chicago Tonight's Mayor Rahm Emanuel page
• More on Mayor Emanuel's first City Council meeting