Stories by Jessen O'Brien

Joking about history -- from the ancient Greeks to the Jersey Shore. Comedian Colin Quinn joins us to talk about his one-man show, directed by Jerry Seinfeld.

EMC Corporation is opening a new office in Chicago and plans to add 200 new jobs over the next two years, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Tuesday. 

On the eve of his 100th day as Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel issues a list of accomplishments so far. But how much of his checklist is still incomplete? Eddie Arruza reports.

The iconic Wrigley Building may have found a buyer. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 joins us to talk about that, some good news about the real estate market, and other top business stories.

Been to Grant Park lately? The yearly music festival Lollapalooza left it a mess. But might that actually have been a good thing? Ash-har Quraishi has that story.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. 

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

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

With more bad economic news, the financial markets take another nosedive. Is a second recession on the way? Eddie Arruza and his panel look at what is driving down stocks.

David Axelrod was a key architect behind President Barack Obama's historic 2008 campaign. We talk to writer Daniel Libit about one of the most successful political strategists Chicago has ever produced.

His neighbors call him the flower man. But he's not planting tulips and daffodils at his suburban condo development. He has created what may be the most extensive native prairie garden at a residential complex. And experts say gardens like these can help slow climate change. Jay Shefsky has the story. 

Can dance compete with blues and theater as one of Chicago's signature art forms? We talk to world-renowned dancer, Chicago native and creator of the Chicago Dancing Festival -- Lar Lubovitch.

The statue of Christopher Columbus in South Chicago was once located at City Hall and served a very refreshing purpose. We find out more in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Should Chicago change its garbage collection system from ward-by-ward to a grid system? We have your thoughts in tonight's Viewer Mail.

It's the best score Illinois has seen in a decade, but students in the state are still testing below the national average when it comes to the ACT. Especially in science. We look at where we may be going wrong.

The state says three Illinois hospitals, including one in Chicago, should start paying property taxes. Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss the controversial issue.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an innovative new program for Chicago that will address foreclosures and stabilize property values in key neighborhoods throughout the city.  Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

Millions of dollars in federal grants have been allocated to stem the tide of foreclosures in Chicago neighborhoods.  We show you the results of a developer’s rehabbed homes -- one year later.

A memorial on Ground Zero commemorating 9/11 opens in a few weeks. We talk with Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin, who got a sneak peek.

From a Chicago alley that’s still paved with wood blocks, to a cowpath among the skyscrapers in the downtown Loop, and other secret byways. Geoffrey Baer explores Chicago’s oddest and most interesting streets and alleys for Hidden Chicago.

The Illinois Department of Revenue has denied property tax exemptions for three hospitals for not doing enough to justify their exemptions. Ash-har Quraishi tells us which hospitals are affected and what prompted the move.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to dump the way garbage is currently collected. Elizabeth Brackett talks with two aldermen who give us their take on the Mayor's latest cost savings plan.

John Wayne Gacy's lawyer has written a book about defending the notorious killer. We hear his personal tales about Gacy and the highly publicized trial.

Eddie Arruza reports on an innovative program at Chicago Career Tech that's retraining an older work force for a 21st century job market.

Nearly 55 miles per gallon for every car? That's the deal between the Obama Administration and the nation's automakers. Is it doable and what technology is on the horizon? The head of transportation research at Argonne National Laboratory is here with some answers.

On Tuesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D., released a new Public Health Agenda—Healthy Chicago—the City’s first comprehensive public health plan.