Stories by Alexandra Silets

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Inside Madigan’s Inner Operations, Voting Opens in the Mayor’s Race

Inside Madigan’s inner operations. Early voting opens in the mayor’s race. And so many cars on the Kennedy.

Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. (Provided)

Spotlight Politics: Chicago Mayoral Candidates Make Their Case

With less than two weeks before Election Day, the candidates for Chicago mayor are still making their case to voters. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

(Courtesy of Lever for Change)

How Social Impact Giving is Shaking Up the World of Philanthropy

When it comes to philanthropy, it’s usually universities, museums and hospitals that get major donations. But there’s a Chicago organization shaking up that paradigm.

(WTTW News)

What Will Policing, Public Safety Look Like Under Chicago’s Next Mayor?

The voters of Chicago have spoken, and the message is loud and clear: The next mayor needs new strategies to reduce crime. The two contenders for Chicago’s mayoral runoff, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, have differing views on how to address crime and violence.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Barbs Fly Between Chicago Mayoral Candidates

Barbs fly between the would-be mayors. Chicago police mourn one of their own. And the NASCAR race leaves a bad taste in summer festival plans.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Mayoral Runoff Contenders Come Out Swinging

Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas steam ahead toward the April mayoral runoff, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot suffers historic defeat. CPD mourns the loss of one of its own. And Blackhawks fans get used to life without Patrick Kane.

(WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Vallas, Johnson Headed to April Runoff

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are now headed to an April 4 runoff election. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Accusations, Big Spending in Chicago Mayoral Race

Mayor Lightfoot accuses Vallas of dog-whistle politics as Vallas and Johnson surge. Chicago teachers blast their union over big campaign spending. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes his anti-woke show to Elmhurst.

Former President Jimmy Carter is pictured in 2014. (Credit: LBJ Library)

Explaining What Exactly Hospice Care Means After Former President Jimmy Carter’s Announcement

What is hospice care and what does it mean that the longest-living American president is foregoing medical intervention? 

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Dark Money, Attacks in Chicago Mayoral Race

Dark money flows along with the attacks in the mayor’s race. Florida Gov. DeSantis’ visit to the area draws rebuke. The Bears close on the Arlington Heights property. And Pritzker’s budget spends big on education.

(WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Mayoral Race Gets Pointed as Election Day Nears

Things got pointed at the final Chicago mayoral candidate debate. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Chicago Mayoral Forums Get Tense

WTTW News probes Paul Vallas’ suburban residency as his campaign closes in on the final two weeks. Meanwhile, candidates get testy with each other and moderators at numerous debates this week. And tax breaks back on the table for the Bears.

(WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Reflecting on the WTTW Mayoral Forum, Where Candidates Stand Now

Things got heated between the candidates at the WTTW News mayoral forum this week. Our politics team weighs in on that story.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Tensions Arise in Chicago Mayoral Race

Gloves come off in the Chicago mayoral debate as Paul Vallas cleans up cash and endorsements. City Council puts the breaks on Mayor Lori Lightfoot's ComEd deal. Migrants arrive in Woodlawn. And the complicated legacy of Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull.

Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Chicago Mayoral Race Heats Up as Election Day Nears

Tensions rose at this week's Chicago mayoral forum. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Paris Schutz. (WTTW News)

Week in Review: Chicago Mayoral Race Tightens

The footage of a Memphis traffic stop that led to Tyre Nichols’ death has been released. Lightfoot turns up the heat on her mayoral opponents. Assault weapons lawsuits come fast and furious. And remembering a beloved local radio DJ.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Mayoral Candidates Define Their Visions

Mayoral candidates share their visions for the city. Lawsuits against the Illinois assault weapons ban come fast and furious. Peoples Gas and ComEd seek a bevy of rate hikes. And the Bears introduce their new president.

Paris Schutz hosts "Chicago Tonight: Week in Review" on Jan. 13, 2023. (WTTW News)

Week in Review: Lightfoot’s Response to Campaign Emails; Assault Weapons Ban

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign under investigation for CPS student recruitment. Assault weapons now banned in Illinois as lawsuits await. And the new Hail Mary plans for Soldier Field as the Bears hire a bigwig as new president.

Week in Review: Holiday Travel Hit; Assault Weapons Ban Hearings

Brutal cold blasts Chicago during the busiest travel days of the year. Gun rights advocates protest assault weapons ban proposal. Two dead in a shooting outside Juarez High School. And Cubs and Sox sign big free agents.

Week in Review: Chicago Casino, Red Line Extension Move Forward

The long-awaited Red Line extension and Chicago casino take major leaps forward. Is the Jane Byrne interchange finally finished? And García and Lightfoot attacked for ties to Sam Bankman-Fried.

Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Week in Review: Mayoral Challenges Underway; Pritzker Signs SAFE-T Act Revisions

Let the games begin as mayoral candidates try to knock each other off the ballot. The governor quietly signs the revised SAFE-T Act. A landmark movie theater on the chopping block. And renewed calls to take down the Trump sign.

(Credit: Lee Bey)

Chicago Architecture Critics Team Up to Highlight Inequities, Explore Solutions

What do you get when you put two of Chicago’s preeminent architecture critics together? A thought-provoking book about the city’s storied architecture.

Pat Quinn appears on "Chicago Tonight" on Nov. 17, 2022. (WTTW News)

Week In Review: Pat Quinn Opts Out; Mayoral Race Heats Up

Special counsel appointed to investigate Trump. A high profile, would-be candidate opts out of the mayoral race. Lightfoot institutes a full court press for the Red Line extension. And property tax mailings hit homeowners where it hurts.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Pritzker, Illinois Dems Have Big Election Day

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wins reelection handily as Democrats sweep the state. National predictions of a Republican wave fail to materialize. Chuy García enters the race for mayor. And the CTA chief gets an earful.

(CNN)

Week in Review: Biden In Town Ahead of Midterms

Major national figures are in town as local midterm races go down to the wire. Mayor Lightfoot is facing a budget revolt. The Bears pull off huge trades and hedge for the future while the White Sox name a new manager.

Alexi Giannoulias and Dan Brady appear in a WTTW News candidate forum on Oct. 26, 2022. (WTTW News)

Candidate Forum: Open Secretary of State Office Has Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Dan Brady Squaring Off

It’s the first time since 1998 that Jesse White won’t be on the ballot for Illinois secretary of state. Running to fill the office is Republican Dan Brady and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.