Stories by Alexandra Silets

The Supreme Court’s new term started the first Monday in October. The court docket includes hot-button cases on political campaign contributions, abortion rights, free speech, affirmative action, public prayer and presidential power. We hear from three former Supreme Court clerks about the issues before the court and how cases are chosen.

FRONTLINE’s much-anticipated documentary, League of Denial: Inside the NFL’s Concussion Crisis, explores whether the NFL put players at risk by denying the relation between concussions and long-term health issues. Our panel tackles the question of football safety at all levels.

An exhibition explores the visual culture of the Northern home front during the Civil War.

The Civil War is remembered through art and literature that capture the American spirit on the Northern home front.

We talk with Academy Award nominee Joan Allen about her latest performance in The Wheel at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, a play about what happens to hope and human nature in times of war. Read an interview and watch web extra videos.

Lookingglass Theater opened their 26th season on Saturday with the deeply sensual drama, The North China Lover.

The Illinois General Assembly will tackle pension reform, marriage equality and tax credits for businesses during its fall legislative session. Carol Marin takes a look at the issues with members of the General Assembly.

Do you find medication instructions confusing? We talk with a Northwestern professor on a quest to make prescription labels clearer and more consistent so patients will get the most out of their medication.

The controversial oil and natural gas drilling method known as fracking is set to begin in Illinois. Will it bring jobs or will it wreak havoc on the environment? Read an article.

Despite a record-setting day from wideout Alshon Jeffery, the Bears lose their second straight game. James “Big Cat” Williams breaks down what went wrong against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. Watch a web extra video.

Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich talks about her new book, a collection of columns called Even The Terrible Things Seem Beautiful to Me Now. Read some of her favorite columns.

On Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review last Friday, Joel Weisman and his guests discussed the Affordable Care Act. Some viewers took issue with the viewpoint of the panelists. We share what some of you had to say in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Part 2 of our story about Janis Joplin's final show in the Chicago area -- at Ravinia, two months to the day before she died.

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

Joel Weisman and his guests continue their review of the week’s news with a look at GOP candidate for Illinois governor: Bruce Rauner. He’s raised more than a million dollars in each of the last three quarters. And yet he hasn’t made himself available to the press, at least in the Chicago area. The business community appears to be behind him. Might Mayor Rahm Emanuel even support him over Gov. Pat Quinn? Watch the web extra video.

Model cars, a Fall Bulb Festival, and treasures created by artist Louis Comfort Tiffany at the Driehaus Museum. Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

On this edition of Chicago Tonight's Field Trip, Jim Louderman, a researcher from The Field Museum, takes us to Northerly Island to collect a sample of bugs. Watch episode 3 of our web series.

Forty three years ago, the blues-rock star rocked Ravinia festival. Eight weeks later, Janis Joplin was gone forever.

Senate President John Cullerton hints a deal has been reached to reform the state's pension system. But are Republicans on board? Paris Schutz has the details.

We are now in day three of a federal government shutdown. We take a look at what it will take to get things up and running again.

African-American churches are among the fervent opponents of same-sex marriage. The topic is the subject of a new book called "Homophobia in the Black Church: How Faith, Politics and Fear Divide the Black Community."

It started out as a fictitious pie shop Paula Haney would dream of with her husband Craig. Now, Haney has opened the Hoosier Mama Pie Company in Chicago and is looking to expand. In her new retro-style cookbook, Haney wants to share her love for pie with more than 120 pie recipes ranging from lemon meringue to frito-chili pie. Check out her recipe for sugar cream pie.

Old Jews Telling Jokes is an onstage celebration of Jewish humor. We speak with Saturday Night Live alum Tim Kazurinsky and actress Dara Cameron about the hit comedy that makes its Chicago debut at The Royal George Theatre this week. Watch online skits and read an interview.

Earlier this week, Phil Ponce spoke with financial analyst Terry Savage and economics professor Edward Stuart about the government shutdown. It was a lively conversation and it brought in a lot of reaction. We share what some of you had to say in tonight's viewer feedback.

A concert pianist of the highest order, Inna Faliks can be as dramatic or as subtle as a great stage actor.