Stories by Alexandra Silets

How will Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be remembered when it comes to the city’s built environment? Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in.

It’s official: Bill Daley is running for Chicago mayor. The former U.S. Commerce Secretary and White House chief of staff made his candidacy official at 12:01 a.m. Monday. He joins us in discussion.

Eddie Arruza and guests talk about how Chicago tennis legend Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova differ on the Serena Williams controversy.

More candidates mull a run for Chicago mayor while others remove themselves from the race. An agreement on a federal consent decree is reached. And Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke opts to have a jury trial. 

Former U.S. Supreme Court clerks weigh in on Brett Kavanaugh’s raucous confirmation hearings – and his chances for confirmation.

What does the mayor’s decision to not seek re-election mean to challengers – and potential challengers – in the 2019 race? Local political reporters weigh in.

Assessing the impact of a guilty verdict and plea deal on the presidency of Donald Trump: a discussion with former federal prosecutor Patrick Cotter.

Local reaction to a stunning two-year grand jury investigation that details alleged sexual abuse of more than 1,000 individuals by 300 “predator priests” – and a cover-up by church officials.

The jury asked no major questions of the judge Monday – and delivered no verdict. Renato Mariotti joins us to discuss jury deliberations and more.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the warning from top U.S. intelligence and security leaders over continued Russian attempts to influence American elections.

Democrats and Republicans tee off at the Illinois State Fair. Two high-profile trials grip the city. Elon Musk’s O’Hare express project is shrouded in secrecy. And the Cubs early playoff atmosphere.

Defense lawyers for Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, rested their case Tuesday without calling a single witness.

Willow Creek Community Church, based in South Barrington, is undergoing a seismic shift. Chicago Tribune religion reporter Manya Brachear Pashman joins us with the latest.

Controversial conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been banned by several social media platforms. Were they within their their rights, or is this censorship?

We take an inside look at Northwestern University's new $270 million athletic center and Jeanne Gang’s new environmentally conscious apartment tower in Hyde Park.

Ivanka Trump splits with her father over his attack on journalists. Is the president’s rhetoric increasingly dangerous?

President Trump visits downstate to tout trade. Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson comes under fire. Activists plan to protest at Wrigley Field. And a draft plan for reforming the Chicago Police Department.

The Heartland Alliance faces tougher licensing after it takes in children separated the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy. 

The University of Illinois at Chicago is merging with the John Marshall Law School, creating the first and only public law school in Chicago.

After 29 years of trying to stay anonymous, the Chicago Tribune’s restaurant critic has decided to reveal his face.

Chicago is still the second city when it comes to foreclosures, but at the other end of the real estate spectrum, luxury property sales are booming.

How professor Joe Wilkins went from a University of Illinois at Springfield classroom to exploring the dangerous wilds of the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.

President Donald Trump is calling a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin “deeply productive.” We get reaction to the historic Helsinki meeting.

The political fallout caused by the viral video showing a Cook County Forest Preserve officer not helping a woman being harassed.

The battle has just begun over President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy.

In its investigative series “Driven Into Debt,” ProPublica Illinois and WBEZ found Chicago has issued 20,000 duplicate tickets since 2007. We speak with the reporters who broke the story.