Stories by Alexandra Silets

Gun violence in Chicago is on the decline, but the number of homicides in the city is still staggering. What can federal prosecutors do to reduce shooting incidents? U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. joins us in discussion.

As part of our special episode on gun violence, we discuss the policies being proposed at the state and federal level with U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

Cracked bridges, eroding and disappearing beaches and massive flooding are taking a toll on Lake Shore Drive. We hear some ideas from aldermen about shoring up the lakefront.

Smaller class sizes and more counselors and nurses. We discuss the changes coming to Chicago Public Schools if teachers ratify a new five-year contract.

At the Obama Foundation Summit on Tuesday, Barack and Michelle Obama spoke about, among other things, the future of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in on the new design.

“Check, Please!” host, restaurateur and master sommelier Alpana Singh dishes on the new season of the Emmy award-winning show, which debuts Friday on WTTW.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Wednesday will deliver her first budget address, with an expected plan to close an $838 million budget deficit. She’s already accounted for $200 million of that with a proposal to refinance $1.3 billion in city borrowing.

The Supreme Court is set to have a blockbuster term, hearing cases on gay and transgender rights, immigration, abortion, guns and religion. We preview the new term with former Supreme Court clerks.

Could a three-year pilot program to lower fares and expand train service on the South Side hurt the Chicago Transit Authority? A supporter of the plan weighs in.

Illinois’ congressional Democrats support impeachment. Southwest Side politicians get caught in federal crosshairs. The Chicago Teachers Union overwhelmingly supports a strike. And the Cubs collapse.

A new ordinance has been introduced in City Council to severely reduce farm animal adoption in Chicago. We discuss the proposal with Ald. Raymond Lopez and Laura Calvert of Advocates for Urban Agriculture.

Some 2,200 nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center walked off the job Friday, citing staffing shortages and forced overtime. “The reason we are striking is for our patient safety and our staff safety,” said one nurse from the picket line.

A new resolution on reparations is scheduled to be introduced in City Council this week. Alds. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward) and Nick Sposato (38th Ward) weigh in on the topic.

It’s a job as old as time, but one Chicagoan is beekeeping in her own unique way. Meet graphic designer-turned-beekeeper Jana Kinsman.

Rent control has been barred in Illinois since 1997 but is once again under consideration. How does it work, and is it the answer to Chicago’s affordable housing crisis?

Chicago’s third-tallest building, the Vista Tower, is being touted for it’s unique curvilinear-shaped structure. But it’s the engineering secrets you can’t see that really set this skyscraper apart.

A DuPage County judge signed off on a consent order Friday allowing for Sterigenics to reopen but with stricter emissions controls. What exactly does the settlement allow – and how soon can Sterigenics be fully operational?

A judge rules Sterigenics can reopen. The mayor hears "no new property taxes" at her first budget town hall meeting. Elected officials spar over city violence. And the Bears blow the 100th season opener.

The battle over the massive $6 billion Lincoln Yards development is far from over. We discuss the controversial project with Aneel Chablani, chief counsel of the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, and 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins.

A day after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot marked her 100th day in office, she delivered her first “State of the City” address at Harold Washington Library. Our panel reacts to the speech and offers analysis.

In 2017, Daniel Johnson donated a kidney to his father, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. In 2018, Daniel was sworn in as a Chicago police officer. The two join us to discuss the successful transplant and Chicago’s policing challenges.

People commonly adopt dog and cats from the pound, but there’s a new phenomenon in Chicago: stray chickens and roosters are being rounded up in an effort to find them their forever homes.

The former tea party Republican congressman wrote an op-ed in the New York Times calling for a primary challenger to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. Joe Walsh on his change of heart.

It’s back to the drawing board for a Chicago casino. Two longtime Chicago politicians decide to hang it up. President Trump is still considering clemency for former Gov. Blagojevich. And the Cubs nose-dive on the road.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans responds to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s concerns about suspects with illegal guns getting out on bail.

For years, ComEd has had control of Chicago’s power supply. Now, nearly two dozen aldermen want to take a closer look at a possible public takeover of the utility. A look at the pros and cons of a takeover.