Stories by Alexandra Silets

African-American teenagers are talking about how standard police practices like stop and frisk affect them in the long term, and the police are listening. We hear about the groundbreaking work to bring kids and police together to hear each other's experiences and to make changes.

Chicago Public School has appointed Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz as interim CPS CEO, replacing Barbara Byrd-Bennett who is taking a paid leave of absence amidst a federal investigation of a $20.5 million no-bid contract. What are the implications of this on CPS contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union? Carol Marin and her panel discuss the latest CPS news and the future of the district.

Jack Bishop from the hit PBS television show America's Test Kitchen talks about the newest book, The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook. Bishop will give us some recipes to try as well as talk about the 15th season of the hit series.

Walgreens is closing 200 stores in the U.S. -- the most the company has done at once. The cost-cutting move comes as a result of the merger with Boots Alliance. Crain's Chicago Business retail reporter Brigid Sweeney has the latest details.

We talk with some aldermanic winners about beating the incumbents, as well as their priorities for the wards they represent and working with a new City Council.

The state's Executive Inspector General Ricardo Meza is stepping down after nearly five years on the job. He joins us to talk about Illinois' corruption problem.

The EPA has awarded more than $8 million in grants to combat invasive species in the Great Lakes. We talk with the Shedd Aquarium's Phil Willink about the $100 million a year invasive species problem.

First-term Ald. Michele Smith is fighting to keep her Lincoln Park aldermanic seat in a bitter battle with challenger Caroline Vickrey. They go head to head.

Former Congressman Barney Frank has a new book out about his remarkable life as an outspoken politician made even more remarkable by his coming out as a gay man. He joins us.

A House Committee has passed a temporary fix to the state budget shortfall so day care providers and prison guards will be paid. Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky has the details.

Support in the predominantly Hispanic 31st Ward is splitting between longtime Ald. Ray Suarez and former TV reporter, Milly Santiago. They meet on Chicago Tonight to talk about the issues.

The 24th ward will have a fresh face representing the Lawndale neighborhood in City Council. Will it be the son of the former president of the Chicago Board of Education or a businesswoman who worked her way up from receptionist to vice president of a tool distributor?

Ald. Toni Foulkes was mapped out of her 15th ward and decided to run for alderman in the 16th ward. She now faces Stephanie Coleman in a runoff.

The 7th Ward race pitted incumbent Ald. Natashia Holmes against seven challengers. A runoff resulted between Holmes who won 25 percent of the vote and Gregory Mitchell who garnered 20 percent of the vote. We hear from both candidates.

We explore the controversy over the Homan Square police facility and Chicago Police Department interrogation tactics.

McDonald's is making some sizable changes to its menu hoping to lure more health-conscious consumers. We hear the latest from Crain’s Chicago Business reporter Peter Frost.

Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin talks about the Pullman Historic District's designation as a national monument.

Proco "Joe" Moreno won 50.9 percent of the vote in the 1st Ward in Tuesday's election, but his challenger Anne Shaw won’t concede until all the absentee ballots are counted. Ald. Nick Sposato won 54 percent of the vote in the 38th Ward; and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa won 67 percent in the 35th Ward and was the only candidate to oust an incumbent. The three winning aldermen join us.

It's cold. Really cold. WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling tells us if we are heading towards record-breaking weather.

Gov. Bruce Rauner is preparing for his first budget address. We get a preview from Illinois Public Radio's Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky.

There's a new PBS documentary exploring the Italian American experience. We talk with the filmmaker.

On Sunday, open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act closes. We get the latest on the looming penalties in year two of ObamaCare.

The James Beard Foundation is honoring Chicago's own restaurateur Rich Melman with a Lifetime Achievement Award. We talk with him about the honor and his recipe for success.

A new book takes a comprehensive look at the patronage, cronyism and criminality in Illinois politics -- from stolen elections and crooked courts to corrupt congressmen, governors and aldermen.

With divorce a reality for half of all marriages, we take a look at the financial realities of moving on.

We take a look back at the CTA's 2014 and what's around the corner for customers in 2015.