Mayor Lori Lightfoot has appointed the city’s first “chief risk officer.” What exactly does that job entail – and how will it save Chicago millions of dollars a year?
Stories by Alexandra Silets
Former Supreme Court Clerks Debate Blockbuster Decisions
On its final day before a summer break, the Supreme Court issues major rulings on a census citizenship question and the very controversial practice of political gerrymandering. Former Supreme Court clerks weigh in.
Even with a Budget, Illinois Still Owes Billions in Unpaid Bills
Here to talk about the state’s $6.5 bill backlog is the person who cuts the checks: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
Steven Nasatir Reflects on 4 Decades at Jewish United Fund
The head of Chicago’s largest Jewish organization reflects on 40 years of leadership and a renewed rise of anti-Semitism.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Looming Property Tax Hikes
Rising property taxes are likely to cause sticker shock in parts of Chicago. Paris Schutz and guests discuss property tax hikes coming to the North Side.
The Week in Review: Another Alderman in FBI Crosshairs
Carrie Austin becomes the latest Chicago alderman to be raided by the feds. Justice Anne Burke comes under fire over judicial appointments. And the Bulls draft Coby White.
Lonnie Bunch Makes History at the Smithsonian Institution
The former head of the Chicago Historical Society, who created the Smithsonian’s African American history museum, is now running the Smithsonian itself – and is here to talk about it.
State Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke Angers Some with Judicial Pick
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke received blowback from faith and community leaders on Chicago’s West Side for appointing a white woman to fill a vacancy formerly held by a black woman.
Inside Northwestern’s Massive New Biomedical Research Facility
Northwestern University is officially opening its massive $560 million, state of the art research center next week. Get a sneak peek inside.
Mayor Lightfoot Tries to Chart a New Course on Public Safety
In spite of heavy rainfall that kept many indoors and 1,200 additional police officers on the streets of Chicago, 43 people were shot, seven fatally, over the Memorial Day weekend.
Chicago-Based Netflix Series ‘Easy’ Wraps After 3 Seasons
Chicago-based writer and director Joe Swanberg has been shooting “Easy” in Chicago for the past three years. He tells us about the central theme of the show – and the role the city plays.
Aldermen on Governing with Mayor Lori Lightfoot
As Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes aim at City Council corruption, we talk with four aldermen about how they’ll work with the new mayor.
Pregnancy-Related Deaths on the Rise in the US
Nationally, black women die at a rate 3.3 times greater than white women, but the statistics in Illinois are even more grim.
New Survey of Millennials Focuses on Economic Issues
A new poll finds the majority of millennials – those born between 1980 and 2000 – are hopeful about their economic future, even though only one-third have career jobs.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel: ‘My Goal Wasn’t to Be Liked’
With one week to go on the fifth floor of City Hall, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel sat down with Paris Schutz to talk about anti-Semitism, his leadership style, the looming pension problem and his own transparency.
Former Federal Prosecutors Say Trump Obstructed Justice
Political wrangling continues on Capitol Hill as Attorney General William Barr faces contempt charges and hundreds of former prosecutors sign a letter stating their belief that the president obstructed justice.
Will Hemp be Illinois’ Next Billion-Dollar Bumper Crop?
A flood of Illinois farmers are hoping hemp will be a cash crop for them this summer after Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Agriculture opened up licensing last week.
Vintage Maps Offer Unique Perspective on Chicago History
Maps are more convenient than ever for finding the shortest route to your dinner reservation, but what do they tell us about the history of our city and state?
In ‘Charged,’ Journalist Looks at Role of Prosecutors in Mass Incarceration
A conversation with Emily Bazelon, an investigative journalist at the New York Times Magazine whose new book takes a hard look at how prosecutors contribute to overcharging and mass incarceration.
Controversial Proposal Would Require Corporate Board Diversity
Should the state require corporate boards of publicly held companies like McDonald’s and Boeing to seat women and African Americans? We discuss the proposal and whether it passes legal muster.
The Hatchery Chicago Cooking Up Food and Jobs on the West Side
There’s a new business incubator in Chicago that's cooking up some innovative food products on the West Side. And it’s the home for a culinary wizard’s passion project.
New Documentary ‘Boss’ Explores Black Business in America
The PBS film features stories from a number of African-American entrepreneurs, including several Chicagoans who played key roles in various industries, from journalist Ida B. Wells to publisher John H. Johnson.
A Look at the Massive ‘One Central’ Development Proposed Near Soldier Field
A new study estimates that the proposed One Central development near Soldier Field would create 210,000 permanent jobs and generate $120 billion in taxes over 40 years.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Mueller Report’s Chicago Connections
Paris Schutz and guests discuss Chicago’s connections to the Mueller report, including the confirmation that the Illinois State Board of Elections was compromised in the 2016 election.
The Week in Review: Foxx Faces Heat in Smollett Case
Texts raise questions about Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s involvement in the Jussie Smollett case. The final aldermanic votes have been tallied. And a lawsuit seeks to stop the Lincoln Yards project.
