Stories by Alexandra Silets

Chicago Tribune columnist JeanMarie Brownson shares some of her favorite recipes for Thanksgiving from her new book, "Dinner at Home: 140 Recipes to Enjoy with Family and Friends."

A holiday tradition returns to Michigan Avenue while a couple of comedy giants take the stage in Rosemont.

Higher taxes are coming to Cook County, new rules on drones are in the works for the city of Chicago, and Mayor Emanuel has a message for aldermen in the wake of the departure of Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan. Paris Schutz has the full rundown.

In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, many Republican governors are saying they are unwilling to allow Syrian refugees to be settled in their states, among them Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Our panel discusses the refugee crisis and response.

The problem in one of Chicago's most economically depressed communities isn't just crime. We explore what's being done to improve one of the city's small neighborhoods.

Apple has a new Frank LLoyd Wright-esque store proposal for the riverfront, Ford's labor agreement vote hits a rough patch and frequent fliers may notice even more frequently changing rules surrounding airline rewards programs. Crain's Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer joins us for more on these stories.

The Chicago Sun-Times theater critic appraises a true Chicago crime story at Victory Gardens and a double dose of Irving Berlin. Get her take on these plays and more when she joins "Chicago Tonight" for a discussion.

The famously irascible Frank Lloyd Wright estranged two artists on a single short-lived project. Learn the fate of Wright's lost Midway Gardens and play tennis at the Kenwood Country Club as local history expert Geoffrey Baer heads to the South Side.

Starting in December, anyone who shows a food stamps card will pay just $3 to access the museum.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool is reiterating his call for funding equity from Springfield, saying that if CPS students make up 20 percent of Illinois public school students then the district should receive 20 percent of funding.

Public universities in Illinois have received no state funding since the budget standoff began in July. We hear from four university presidents on the impact the budget crisis is having on their campuses.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand Tuesday morning to reopen the newly developed Nichols Tower at Homan Square. Jay Shefsky got a sneak peek at the tower on Monday. We bring you his report.

Political observers widely expect a heated slugfest in the upcoming March primary race for Cook County state’s attorney. At least two well-funded challengers are seeking to unseat seven-year incumbent Anita Alvarez. Kimberly Foxx, former chief of staff to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, speaks with us about her campaign and vision for the office.

The holistic health pioneer, a Harvard-trained medical doctor and botanist, is the author of 15 best-selling books. He joins “Chicago Tonight” to talk about his newest book, “Fast Food, Good Food: More than 150 Quick and Easy Ways to Put Healthy, Delicious Food on the Table.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced on Monday that Illinois is temporarily closing its border to the settlement of Syrian refugees in the wake of the attacks in Paris.

A manhunt is underway in Europe for the suspects behind Friday's coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. This weekend, the French military bombed an ISIS stronghold in Syria and French President Francois Hollande earlier today addressed a joint session of the French Parliament. We discuss the attacks and their aftermath with a panel of experts.

Now that controversial Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan is out, what will aldermen do with the watchdog office? We speak to three aldermen about whether the future should be in the hands of Chicago's Inspector General Joe Ferguson or if there's another way to investigate City Council.

A career day for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and tight end Zach Miller in the defeat of the St. Louis Rams. James "Big Cat" Williams is here with his take on the Bears fourth win of the season. 

Winter is coming, which means it’s time to clean up the WTTW organic garden. The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan helps us prepare the garden for winter and plant one last crop.

A report from the City Council Office of the Legislative Inspector General concludes that 29 aldermen took in a total of $282,000 in illegal campaign donations in 2013. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the top stories of the week, including the announcement by the CPD that they have a strong suspect in the murder of 9-year-old Tyshawn Lee; state Rep. Ken Dunkin’s decision to break with Democrats again; and medical marijuana’s debut in Illinois.

Multiple state facilities have been closed to the public due to the budget stalemate – legislation passed on Tuesday could change that.