Stories by Alexandra Silets

State lawmakers are reconvening this week in Springfield to work on the budgeting process for next year. We'll hear from legislators from both sides of the aisle. 

In advance of this week’s NFL Draft in Chicago, Bears' Chairman George McCaskey sits down with Phil Ponce to talk football. McCaskey will talk about all the changes at Halas Hall this offseason and what Bears’ fans can expect this year. He also addresses some recent NFL issues and controversies, including questions about concussion care and domestic violence awareness. 

Evanston Township High School takes a unique approach to bringing a diverse group of students into Advanced Placement courses.

In his new book, Stuart Cohen takes us back to the early 20th century for a look at Howard Van Doren Shaw's architectural footprint on the typical American home.

We share what you had to say about chef Rick Bayless' visit and the latest episode of the School Project when we read some of our viewer feedback.

One of the most memorable quotes in Seattle Archbishop J. Peter Sartain’s homily at the funeral of his good friend and mentor, Cardinal Francis George, came from George himself. “The only thing we take with us when we die is what we have given away,” Sartain said, quoting the Cardinal who had spoken to him about the nature of death. Given this core belief, it is no surprise that George spent much of his final weeks, and even his final hours, fine-tuning the manuscript for a forthcoming book of personal essays called A Godly Humanism. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of local journalists discuss the week's top stories, including the funeral of Cardinal Francis George, the CPS federal investigation fallout, and the Bulls and Blackhawks playoffs.  

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's decision to not prosecute low-level drug offenders, but instead send them to drug treatment. 

On Wednesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Tonight for an hourlong forum with Mikva Challenge high school students who asked him about his priorities for a second term. After the forum, students shared their thoughts on how well they thought the mayor answered questions and how the forum impacted their opinions of him.

Nerd out at C2E2; dive into your pysche; and feast on artisan cheese and bread; Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.

Dignitaries, leaders, and members of the Catholic Church came together at Holy Name Cathedral for a final goodbye to Cardinal Francis George. Paris Schutz has a full recap of today's funeral service. 

Every year Americans leave almost $15 billion on the table by failing to claim Social Security benefits they are entitled to. The co-author of a new book and surprise best-seller, Get What's Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security, is in the studio with tips on how to make sure you get everything you are owed.

The School Project is a Chicago-based documentary series that is tracking the past and present status of the city's public school system. The fifth episode examines the expansion of charter schools in Chicago and talks to proponents and critics of the charter movement. 

The International School of Comics' first North American school is in Chicago. We talk to their talented teachers, including courtroom artist Tom Gianni, and see aspiring artists in action.

Chicago-based chef Rick Bayless' ninth cookbook, More Mexican Everyday: Simple, Seasonal, Celebratory, will be released at the end of the month. Bayless joins us to talk about the cookbook and to share a sweet and spicy salad recipe.

We share what you had to say about our Mayoral Forum with Mikva Challenge students when we read some of our viewer feedback.

A state agency charged with preserving landmarks finds itself listed on a list of “most endangered historic places” by another preservation group. The 44-year-old nonprofit Landmarks Illinois unveiled Wednesday its annual list of historic places across the state that are in jeopardy, and it included the state’s Historic Preservation Agency.

In its first meeting since Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett took administrative leave, members of the CPS Board of Education discussed the recent series of events causing further instability for the school district.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel won a second term in office in this month's runoff election. He joins Chicago Tonight for a forum with Mikva Challenge high school students who'll ask him about his priorities for his second term and how he plans to address issues facing young people in Chicago.

The city’s parks will have to find a new best friend. The head of Friends of the Parks said Tuesday that she will step down as the 40-year-old nonprofit sues to prevent the construction of the George Lucas museum on the lakefront. 

On Monday, a Cook County judge acquitted Chicago Police Detective Dante Servin for the fatal off-duty shooting of Rekia Boyd in March 2012. We discuss the fallout from that court ruling.

African-American teenagers are talking about how standard police practices like stop and frisk affect them in the long term, and the police are listening. We hear about the groundbreaking work to bring kids and police together to hear each other's experiences and to make changes.

Change of Heart tells the story of one woman's journey of forgiveness after a 16-year-old boy murdered her sister and brother-in-law. Jeanne Bishop recounts how her faith, career, and family allowed her to make peace. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former Chicago Public Schools CEO, is in town for the Education Writers Association National Seminar. Brandis Friedman has the latest.