Stories by Alexandra Silets

In his mayoral campaign kickoff, Paul Vallas calls Mayor Rahm Emanuel a “bully.” Is the #MeToo movement finally catching up to R&B star R. Kelly? And can the Bears draft picks save the team?

The medical marijuana industry’s biggest bank in Illinois pulls out of the business. The implications of that move and more issues facing growers, dispensaries and patients.

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia tells us about the new ID card that pulls triple duty as a library and Ventra card. But it’s not without controversy.

Starbucks’ CEO apologizes after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia store and pledges a nationwide racial bias training. Is it enough?

There’s a new candidate in the race for governor. A conversation with state Sen. Sam McCann.

The first woman to be president of the University of Chicago, who is also a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, talks about her extraordinary life.

Search warrants for Monday’s raid were reportedly obtained to collect evidence, in part, for Michael Cohen’s $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. What it all might mean.

That storied and unstoppable Cubs double-play combination of “Tinker to Evers to Chance” is chronicled in a new book. We talk Cubs history with author David Rapp.

Remembering the legacy of a civil rights giant. Chicago’s mayoral race heats up. Sinclair Broadcasting’s “must-run” conservative commentaries rattle WGN. And Hawks Coach Q is coming back despite a dismal season.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the shooting this week of a University of Chicago student with mental health issues.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is deposed in a 2015 fatal police-involved shooting and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is forced to release a secret letter calling the shooting “justified.” Meanwhile, the Loyola Ramblers hope to continue their NCAA Cinderella story.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss Cook County’s lawsuit against Facebook, and the governor’s race in Illinois.

The ACLU and Black Lives Matter now have official seats at the police oversight negotiations table.

One thing we can all count on in Chicago is the late winter and early spring pothole season. We catch up with some city crews trying to make life a little less bumpy.

A political newcomer takes down one of the most powerful men in Chicago politics: Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios. We speak with Fritz Kaegi.

Meet the eight Democrats running for Illinois attorney general Monday during a special hourlong episode of “Chicago Tonight.” Watch the full video.

There’s a heated battle in the Democratic primary for Cook County assessor that few saw coming. Fritz Kaegi talks about taking on incumbent Joseph Berrios in our candidate forum.

It’s been 33 years since Loyola University was in the NCAA Tournament. But they’re back, and dreaming of repeating the magic of the school’s 1963 national championship team.

Cardinal Blase Cupich was one of the most prominent voices in Springfield last week calling for tighter gun laws. He joins us to talk about gun violence and gun legislation as well as immigration and school closings.

Virtual reality is taking journalism and storytelling to a new level. We explore the technology with filmmaker Barbara Allen – and discuss whether audiences are ready for these immersive experiences.

Will he or won’t he? Former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is sounding more and more like a candidate for mayor. He joins us to discuss his potential run against the man who brought him to Chicago.

Chicago reels after highly regarded Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer is killed. House Speaker Michael Madigan comes under fire. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget pitch to lawmakers falls flat. 

As Gov. Bruce Rauner prepares to give the final budget address of his four-year term, the state’s bill payer is sounding the alarm. 

The governor gives his budget address Wednesday, but with a backlog of unpaid bills hovering above $9 billion, what will he propose to plug the hole? 

J.B. Pritzker apologizes for remarks he made on FBI wiretaps about black politicians. But will the apology undo the damage? We discuss the March 20 primary with political reporters Greg Hinz, Natasha Korecki and Laura Washington.

Chicago’s mayoral election is a little over a year away, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel is already taking shots at former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, even though Vallas hasn’t officially jumped into the race—yet.