Stories by Alexandra Silets

The spring legislative session is in full swing now that the 99th General Assembly has been sworn in along with Gov. Bruce Rauner. We hear from both sides of the aisle about what the legislative priorities are in both chambers.

Inspector General Joe Ferguson joins us with the latest on government oversight in Chicago.

Should Chicago have an elected school board? The issue separates Mayor Rahm Emanuel from his challengers. And voters from 38 wards will have a chance to weigh in on Feb. 24 when they can vote on an advisory referendum. We take a closer look.

Illinois lawmakers met in Springfield for a special session to decide how to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

Mike Frerichs won the hotly contested treasurer's race in November. He joins us to share his vision and what he thinks about consolidating his office with the comptroller's post.

Governor-elect Bruce Rauner is facing a dire fiscal reality when he takes the oath of office on Jan. 12, including some state agencies running out of money.

We revisit our conversation with Chicago native actor and comedian Jane Lynch. 

A scientific study calls into question the safety benefits of red light cameras which is the reason City Hall installed them. We'll talk about the study and the politics of Chicago's red light cameras.

The Chicago's Commission on Landmarks approve the Cubs revised signage plan at Wrigley Field by a 6 to 1 vote. 

Sony Pictures is the latest victim of a cyber hack and data breach. The FBI is warning more cyber attacks are coming. We look at what it means for your wallet and security.

A Sangamon County judge tossed lawmakers' much touted pension reform law saying it's unconstitutional. Now it heads to the Illinois Supreme Court. What does this mean for pensioners and for Illinois, which has the worst bond rating in the nation and faces a $105 billion unfunded public employee pension liability? 

President Barack Obama addresses the nation on immigration reform. Chicago Tonight talks with local analysts about the president’s speech.      

We look back at Mayor Jane Byrne's political career, her groundbreaking win against the Democratic machine, and her tenure as mayor.

State Sen. President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno discuss the Fall Veto Session and how they plan to work with Governor-elect Bruce Rauner.

Enrollment opens Nov. 15 for Illinois residents purchasing health insurance on the Get Covered Illinois marketplace. We’ll talk about the new health care choices people have here. 

The Illinois Supreme Court is appointing an administrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County to overhaul pretrial services and the adult probation department, and to reverse the backlog of inmates awaiting trial—some for years. Carol Marin and her guests have analysis. Read the full report and Chief Judge Timothy Evans' response.

Veteran politician Rep. Tom Cross faces DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan in the GOP Primary for Illinois State Treasurer. The winner will face Democrat Mike Frerichs, who is running unopposed. Cross and Grogan join us. Read an article.

For the first time in Illinois, the Lieutenant Governor candidates are running with a candidate for governor. We meet the four Republican candidates and hear their vision for their jobs, and for Illinois. Read an article and a recap of our live online chat.

It’s the earth’s largest freshwater resource. But what will happen in the next 100 years to the Great Lakes and the Great Water Basin? We talk with Phil Enquist, an Urban Designer, about sustainability, strategies, and about urban design aimed at eliminating waste and to ensure fresh water for future generations. View a slideshow.

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and Tom Dart have a new plan to ease the overcrowding at Cook County Jail. Carol Marin and her guests take a closer look at how they are trying to reverse the chronic problems with the Cook County criminal system, including the resentencing of violent offenders from boot camp to prison, as well as the results of a meeting between Chief Judge Tim Evans, Preckwinkle, Dart and the Illinois Supreme Court to reduce the massive criminal case backlog.

Now that Gov. Pat Quinn has signed the bill to fix Illinois' underfunded pension system, will it be found unconstitutional? Carol Marin and her panel of experts explore the issue.

Deerfield-based Walgreens opens its first totally green “Net-Zero Energy” store in Evanston. We take a tour and go behind the scenes to see what makes this an ultra environmentally friendly store, producing all of its own energy with solar panels and wind turbines. Watch web extra videos and view a slideshow.

John F. Kennedy's friend and FCC chair Newt Minow remembers his remarkable time with President Kennedy 50 years after the assassination.

The Affordable Care Act is under fire from both sides of the political aisle. President Obama apologized for the botched rollout and pledged to correct the problems. So can you keep your policy? And if things don’t improve, could lawmakers repeal ObamaCare?  Our panel has analysis

A pension reform bill for Chicago Park District employees awaits Gov. Pat Quinn’s signature. We hear how compromise was reached on the hot button issue. SEIU Local 73 President Christine Boardman joins us.

Boarded up homes; distressed neighborhoods -- Chicago is struggling to deal with the fallout of the foreclosure crisis on top of depopulation on the south and west sides. The city is tearing down abandoned properties that are magnets for crime. But what else can be done to reshape troubled areas? We talk with Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who spearheaded the creation of the Cook County Land Bank, and Marshall Brown, an architect, urban planner and professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology.