Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Stories by Jessen O'Brien

© Project Exploration

Junior Paleontologists

Meet the Chicago high school students who have been digging for Mammoths in South Dakota, and working with paleontology superstar Paul Sereno at Project Exploration.

2151786656
Ground Zero 360. Image Credit: Nicola McClean

Weekend Events Around Town: 9/09 – 9/11

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Image Credit: John Rogers

Scientific Chicago

Micro-Robots, Mice, Electronic Tattoos, Ticks & Toilets

From a tiny shark tooth found in the Arctic to electronic tattoos that can monitor brain, heart and muscle activity, Neil Shubin joins us with a roundup of local scientific breakthroughs.

2119606413
Image Credit: Eric Y. Exit, courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater

En Route

Our resident tour guide Geoffrey Baer discovers a whole new way to explore Chicago.

2119606492
President Barack Obama

Jobs Speech Faces Timing Setback

Was President Obama disrespected when he was forced to change the day of his speech to a joint session of Congress? Chicago Sun-Times' Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet tells us what she’s heard from both sides of the story. Then, Eddie Arruza talks with a political analyst for his take on the latest partisan bickering.

2114305724
Nina Epstein. Image Credit: Kankakee Public Library

Kankakee Alleged Tax Scheme

The Mayor of Kankakee Responds

Kankakee’s Mayor strongly denies that her city is taking sales tax revenues that belong in Cook County. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

2112916723
Oak Forest Hospital. Image Credit: cookcountyhealth.net

Oak Forest Hospital

Oak Forest Hospital is undergoing a big transformation--and not everyone's happy with it. The head of the Cook County Health System is here to explain the major changes for the south suburban facility.

2112916747
Hedy Weiss

Hedy Weiss: Theater Reviews

Hedy Weiss devours the latest version of Sweeney Todd to hit Chicago.  She reviews that and three more shows.

2112933333
Mayor Rahm Emanuel © 2011 City of Chicago, photo by Brooke Collins

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm to talk about what he's done in office so far, and what's ahead.

2111726803
Carole Brown. Image Credit: kellogg.northwestern.edu

TIF Reform

Mayor Rahm Emanuel calls for reform of the Tax Increment Financing, or TIF program. A task force report calls for more transparency and oversight. Carole Brown, the head of that task force, joins us to lay out the plan.

HSDC, Petite Mort ft. Penny Sanders & Pablo Piantino; photo by Todd Rosenberg

Weekend Events Around Town: 8/26 – 8/28

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Open Road Tolling: South Beloit Toll Plaza, Image Credit: Illinois Tollway

Illinois Toll Hike Approved

Driving Illinois tollways may soon take a bigger toll on your wallet. The Tollway Board just approved a massive toll increase. We hear from the Tollway's executive director.

2106197566
Josh Simpson, Image Credit: ACE

Cultural Connections: American Craft Exposition

From curious machines to handmade objects of beauty, the American Craft Expo takes place in Evanston this weekend. An expert from the fair joins us with a collection of artfully made items.

2106155568

Sales Tax Lawsuits

Chicago & RTA File Complaints

Are some airlines skirting the city sales tax? We look into that issue, plus the City of Chicago's tax lawsuit against some nearby counties.

2104943401
Colin Quinn, Image Credit: Carol Rosegg

Comedian Colin Quinn

Joking about history -- from the ancient Greeks to the Jersey Shore. Comedian Colin Quinn joins us to talk about his one-man show, directed by Jerry Seinfeld.

2103580398
Mayor Rahm Emanuel © 2011 City of Chicago, photo by Brooke Collins

Mayor Emanuel's First 100 Days

Debrief with Eddie Arruza

On the eve of his 100th day as Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel issues a list of accomplishments so far. But how much of his checklist is still incomplete? Eddie Arruza reports.

2102388495
Chicago Air & Water Show. Image Credit: explorechicago.org

Weekend Events Around Town: 8/19 – 8/21

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Front island landscape at Town Square Condominium Association

Native Plant Gardens

His neighbors call him the flower man. But he's not planting tulips and daffodils at his suburban condo development. He has created what may be the most extensive native prairie garden at a residential complex. And experts say gardens like these can help slow climate change. Jay Shefsky has the story. 

2098389914
Exterior of Museum's pavilion's atrium; Visualization by Squared Design Lab

Preview of 9/11 Memorial

A memorial on Ground Zero commemorating 9/11 opens in a few weeks. We talk with Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin, who got a sneak peek.

2097319372
Geoffrey Baer

Hidden Chicago: Streets & Alleys

From a Chicago alley that’s still paved with wood blocks, to a cowpath among the skyscrapers in the downtown Loop, and other secret byways. Geoffrey Baer explores Chicago’s oddest and most interesting streets and alleys for Hidden Chicago.

2097319384
Fuel Economy Standards Image Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

Fuel Efficiency Standards

Nearly 55 miles per gallon for every car? That's the deal between the Obama Administration and the nation's automakers. Is it doable and what technology is on the horizon? The head of transportation research at Argonne National Laboratory is here with some answers.

2096069013
Image Credit: cityofchicago.org

"Healthy Chicago"

On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D., released a new Public Health Agenda—Healthy Chicago—the City’s first comprehensive public health plan.

The study looks at the health and health resources of 77 Chicago neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Health Study

A new study out today by Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine diagnoses Chicago’s health, neighborhood by neighborhood. We speak with two of the report’s authors.

2094685741
Built Festival is this weekend. Image Credit: www.builtforart.com

Weekend Events Around Town: 8/12 – 8/14

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Debt Super Committee

As President Obama hit the road today to slam the partisanship in Congress, the final three members of the debt reduction "super committee" were named. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at who the 12 committee members are, and whether they'll be able to reach a consensus on spending cuts.

2089767793