Stories by Alexandra Silets

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis says Chicago has to break its addiction to tax-breaks and find ways to generate revenue for our schools. She joins us to talk about the fate of teachers and students under the new-look CPS. Read Lewis's full statement in response to CPS' proposed five-year action plan and read 11 Things About Lewis you may not have known.

Hoping to make some progress on pension reform before next week's special session, Governor Quinn calls a meeting with the General Assembly's legislative leaders. Paris Schutz has the latest from their meeting. 

The Blackhawks are back in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Legendary Hawks broadcaster Pat Foley is here with a preview.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to discuss her Five Year Plan. 

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists examine the shaping race for the Republican gubernatorial primary in this web extra conversation.

The world's largest free blues festival, ancient mummies brought (nearly) back to life, and a celebration of Indian arts and culture; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

The National Security Agency is collecting phone records of Verizon wireless customers. We dig through the legal implications of doing this, and if this truly is an effective way to counter terrorism.

Trumpeter Herb Alpert and his Grammy award-winning wife, Chicagoan Lani Hall Alpert, joins us to talk about their legendary careers.

We asked for your thoughts about the Chicago Sun-Times' decision to lay off their entire photo staff. We read what some of you had to say in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

The Chicago City Council passed the mayor's revised parking meter deal by 39-11. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Venture capitalist Bruce Rauner says he'll fix a broken Springfield in an ad announcing his run for governor. Rauner joins us to discuss his bid.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez has paid more than $500,000 in taxpayer money to a Chicago lobbyist, according to USA Today. Paul Singer, the author of the article, joins us.

Springfield’s inability to reform the state’s pension system has all sorts of consequences: for unions, for the markets, and for taxpayers across the state. We discuss the future with some of the key players.

Photographer Jon Lowenstein has been documenting the South Side for over a decade. His latest project, "Chicago's Bloody Year," depicts the intricate and intimate effects of gun violence in the community. He joins us.

Chicago Public Schools says 78 percent of students from closed schools have already enrolled in their new schools. But parents say the process is too difficult. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

Illinois legislators from both sides of the aisle, and both houses, weigh in on what was and was not accomplished during the spring legislative session.

The Illinois House approves a concealed carry compromise deal by 89-28. The bill was approved earlier in the day by the Senate, and now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. See how House members voted in our interactive graphic.

The Illinois Senate passes a concealed carry bill by 45-12-1. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the sociology of hockey and its dearth of African American players in this web extra conversation.

Chicago's best young violinists and cellists in concert, a German spring celebration, & lively street fests; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

House Speaker Michael Madigan's pension reform bill failed in the Illinois Senate 16-42. See how Senate members voted in our interactive graphic.

With only one day left to the legislative session, lawmakers in Springfield are still deciding what to do on critical issues – like pensions, gay marriage, gambling and concealed carry. Carol Marin reports from the capitol on this last-minute frenzy.

In a major round of cuts at the Chicago Sun-Times, the newspaper lays off its entire photography staff. We get reaction from the union that represents them.