Stories by Alexandra Silets

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 lawsuit that began in 2005 was ruled in favor of Google’s mission to digitize millions of books this month. Read an article about the court ruling.

Bears kicker Robbie Gould hits the game-winner in overtime. James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the win, the weather, and why the defense is improving. Watch a web extra video.

We rediscover a suburban junior high school that's home to an amazing gallery of American artwork. We show you how students there get a head start in art. View a slideshow of artwork.

In tonight's Viewer Feedback, we share your reaction to the news that Chicago's Willis Tower will be stripped of its status as the tallest building in America, and your opinion on the FDA taking steps to ban trans fats.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week’s top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists look at public officials’ international travel. Mayor Rahm Emanuel was in Mexico City recently. Mayor Richard M. Daley traveled quite a bit. Is it worth it to the city? And is the mayor accessible enough to the press? How is he different from his predecessor? Watch the web extra video.

An exhibit at the Art Institute that celebrates food, an acoustic music festival, and ice skating at Millennium Park; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

The Three Robbers is a children’s book to cherish. The story revolves around fierce bandits who threaten violence and kidnap a little girl. But that’s OK with her – she doesn’t want to live with her wicked aunt anyway.

This edition of Chicago Tonight's Field Trip is for the birds. We discover parasites that live on winged creatures and how studying them can help humans. Watch the web extra video and view a slideshow.

After almost two years of confusion, the Chicago Infrastructure Trust is coming into focus. Paris Schutz has more on what it plans to fund, and how it purports to help the city’s bleak financial situation.

Rising tensions within the Chicago City Council bring warnings of a new round of council wars. All at a time when a watchdog group says the city is teetering on the brink of a fiscal crisis. We hear what some aldermen have to say.

The doctor-patient relationship can sometimes become a tricky one, and health care professionals are working towards improving the process and outcome of patient care. What are some of the key issues facing patients, health care professionals and ethics? We talk with Dr. Peter Angelos, the Associate Director of the MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics.

We speak with stand-up comic and Twitter sensation Rob Delaney about life in comedy, his past struggles with addiction, and his new book. Watch a web extra video.

The director and star of an adventurous documentary join us to recount the five-year trip that traversed six continents and 37 countries. Athlete Serge Roetheli and filmmaker John Davies discuss The 25,000 Mile Love Story, a film that details the impossible journey of one endurance athlete’s desire to help children throughout the world. Watch video footage from their journey and read an interview with a producer and editor of the film.

Prosecutors respond to Rod Blagojevich's appeal, asking that he serves his entire 14-year sentence. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

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.

A bill introduced in Congress today would expand access to high-quality preschool for 4-year-old children from low and moderate income families. Read a summary of the bill and a fact sheet.

New guidelines were released Tuesday that will alter how doctors treat patients at risk for stroke and heart disease. 

Throughout the 1950s, south suburban families saddled up and rode to the Oak Lawn Round-Up Days. What happened to the festival? Geoffrey Baer rustles up the answer in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation says that requests for rat control services are down 15 percent this year. One reason, they say, is that city crews have done 30 percent more rodent control inspections and baiting jobs than in this period last year. That got Jay Shefsky wondering about the people who do those inspections and baiting jobs. He tagged along with a crew and showed us what he found. We revisit the story. Read an article and a web extra interview.

A Chicago painter pays tribute to ships lost at sea.

Gov. Pat Quinn introduces Paul Vallas to be his "second banana." Paris Schutz has the story. View a graphic of all of the candidates for Illinois governor along with their chosen running mates.

Embattled Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios joins Elizabeth Brackett for a one-on-one interview. View a timeline of his political career.

A new ruling says New York's One World Trade Center will be the nation's tallest building when it is opens next year, swiping the title from Chicago's Willis Tower. Geoffrey Baer has the story.

The FDA proposed a ban Thursday of partially hydrogenated oils that create the byproduct trans fat. Large restaurant chains and manufacturers have been limiting the trans fat content in their products for years, but some question whether a ban is the most effective approach to preventing heart disease. Read an interview.