Stories by Alexandra Silets

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 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. 

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.

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.

A fire has devastated the 850-year-old cathedral in Paris. What will it take to rebuild the iconic structure? Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin joins us in discussion.

Author and journalist Katy Butler tells us about her new book, “The Art of Dying Well: A Practical Guide to a Good End of Life.”

There’s a grassroots push for an elected school board in Chicago, but how would a move away from an appointed board impact students? We discuss the pros and cons with Jesse Sharkey and Rufus Williams.

Longtime Chicago sportswriter Fred Mitchell tells us about his new book as we look back at the Loyola Ramblers’ magical season – just one year ago – when they went all the way to the Final Four.

Behind the good cheer, Ernie Banks hid a melancholy and lonely man. We talk with Ron Rapoport, the author of “Let’s Play Two,” a new biography about Mr. Cub.

A new global terminal at O’Hare will be filled with light, wood and trees. We take a closer look at the winning design and discuss the future of airport travel.

Mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle join us for a special edition of “Chicago Tonight” moderated by Phil Ponce and featuring a live studio audience. Watch the full video online.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the college admissions scandal that has ensnared some of the nation’s top schools and dozens of parents.

Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle battle for votes ahead of the runoff election. Mayor Rahm Emanuel gets his way on two controversial projects. CSO musicians trade instruments for picket signs. And Boeing’s very bit 737 problem.

We launch our aldermanic runoff forums with a reprise of the 2015 matchup in the 16th Ward between Stephanie Coleman and incumbent Ald. Toni Foulkes.

Brandis Friedman and guests discuss the details of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan, as businesses and Republicans cry foul at higher taxes for millionaires.

Sparks fly in the first mayoral runoff forum. Courts deliver bad news for politicians and R. Kelly. Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock beats his charges. And the Lincoln Yards development nears a full City Council vote. 

Affordable housing, neighborhood overcrowding and transparency over TIF funds are dogging the massive Lincoln Yards proposal. The latest on that and other big development projects.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss whether the dozens of mayoral forums hurt or helped voters make decisions.

Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle will face off in a historic mayoral runoff. Surprises in several aldermanic races. And what role will identity politics play in the election?

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined his counterparts in 15 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for declaring a national emergency to build a wall on the southern U.S. border.