Stories by Steffie Drucker

Outdoor concerts, food and art highlight this weekend's roundup of summer events.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Thursday that Forrest Claypool will be the new CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Claypool, Emanuel’s chief of staff, will replace Interim CEO Jesse Ruiz, who has been serving in that capacity since former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett resigned in April. Claypool begins his new role on Monday, July 27.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle won a victory Wednesday after the county board narrowly signed off on her controversial sales tax hike, but there might be some legal and political risks. We’ll talk with the Civic Federation president Laurence Msall and Nick Kachiroubas, an assistant professor at DePaul University’s School of Public Service.

Drinkers across the state may be toasting Gov. Bruce Rauner, who signed a bill into law on Wednesday allowing Illinois bars to offer happy hour drink specials, but not everyone is happy about its return. On Thursday, we'll get the latest on the bill with Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D).

Harper's Lee's hugely anticipated sequel Go Set a Watchman stirs debate about its plot and its value as a successor to the Pulitzer Prize winning novel of 1960. Chicago writer Marja Mills became close friends with Harper Lee and her sister and wrote a book about the experience. She joins us to share her thoughts on the new book.

Last summer, Jay Shefsky brought us to The Garden, home of Chicago’s dirt jumps. We revisit his story of the hidden treasure found in Chicago’s woods. 

We share what you had to say about the approval of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s 1-percent sales tax increase and CPS Interim CEO Jesse Ruiz’s statements about the CPS budget.

Abena Joan Brown died on Sunday at age 87. She was a pioneer of the African-American theater scene in Chicago and co-founded the ETA Creative Arts Foundation in 1971. We revisit her appearance on WTTW’s Artbeat Chicago program in 1998. During the segment, Brown talks about the early days of starting a theater company.

Cook County Commissioners approved Wednesday a 1-percent increase in the county portion of the sales tax, which brings Chicago’s sales tax to 10.25 percent. President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed penny-on-the-dollar sales tax was approved by a vote of 9-7.

Interim schools chief Jesse Ruiz joins us to discuss the financial challenges facing the Chicago Public Schools. 

The Democratic-led Illinois Senate on Wednesday passed the temporary one-month budget by a vote of 39-0 (with 15 voting present) that the House passed last week, but can they override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto? Amanda Vinicky joins us tonight with the latest updates from Springfield.

We talk with Crain's Chicago Business Deputy Managing Editor Ann Dwyer about some of the biggest business stories this week, from Crate and Barrel's performance in some key categories to Seattle Sutton's battle in the prepared meals market. Also, find out how coworkers are embracing the spirit of home brewing -- at the office.

Heading to the beach? You might actually see less of it: Water levels in Lake Michigan are rising at a record pace. We’ll talk with an expert about what’s causing the rise, how it affects the lake’s ecosystem, and what it means to nearby property owners.

In May, Chicago Tonight profiled the work of CoRiccio Baskin who has been creating miniature replicas of everyday objects for more than 20 years. We revisit that story. 

The Illinois Senate is back in session Tuesday. This week’s showdown is centered on who will keep state workers paid: the Democrat-controlled General Assembly or Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has proposed raising the county sales tax by a penny on the dollar to help cover a pension-fueled budget shortfall. Wednesday, the county board is scheduled to vote on the hike. President Preckwinkle joins Chicago Tonight. We'll also hear from Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, who opposes raising the sales tax.

Pluto finally got a visitor from Earth, 85 years after the dwarf planet’s discovery. Completing a nine-year, 3-billion-mile voyage, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft reached the former ninth planet of our solar system on Tuesday. We'll discuss the milestone flyby with astronomers from the Adler Planetarium.

Andrea Zopp talks about her candidacy to become the democratic nominee in the primary race for U.S. Senate against Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. The winner will face incumbent Senator Mark Kirk.

Archbishop Blase Cupich heard prayer requests and offered blessings to inmates Tuesday morning during a private tour of Cook County Jail with Sheriff Tom Dart.

After more than 20 months of negotiations, a landmark deal was reached Tuesday between world powers and Iran that curbs Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions. The deal reduces Iran’s stockpiles of enriched uranium and the number of its centrifuges by two-thirds. It also prevents Iran from producing weapons-grade plutonium. 

Gear up, Bears fans: Single-game tickets are available for purchase online or by phone starting 11:00 am Thursday, July 16. 

Former State Rep. H. Woods “Woody” Bowman died Friday evening after his car crashed in Van Buren County, Mich. His wife, Michele Thompson, was seriously injured in the accident.