Stories by Bernie Lubell

Rep. Bobby Rush is the incumbent in the race for Congress in the 1st District.

Fred Smith is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 1st District.

Jordan Sims candidate questionnaire.

Jordan Sims is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 1st District.

Joe Walsh is the incumbent in the 10th District, and running unopposed in the Republican party.

Raja Krishnamoorthi candidate questionnaire.

Raja Krishnamoorthi is running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 8th District.

Tammy Duckworth is running for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 10th District.

Tammy Duckworth candidate questionnaire.

It's a subdued climate in Springfield, as Gov. Pat Quinn proposes what he calls "his most difficult" budget yet. Can the state pass the major cuts he wants even though legislators face reelection? We have a recap from Springfield, and then Carol Marin and her panel have analysis.

Despite pleas from the teachers union, school activists and parents, the Chicago School Board approved plans to turnaround, phase out or close 17 Chicago Public Schools. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Gas prices look to be heading above $4 per gallon as tensions rise in the Middle East. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

We visit a treasure box of a museum in the western suburbs and find out about the immigrant who built it, one stone at a time.

Chicago once had the busiest shipping harbor in North America, and this weekend the annual Chicago Maritime Festival celebrates our rich maritime past. We talk with a shipwreck diver and the festival's shanty-singing founder.

Vivek Bavda is undoubtedly the underdog in the 10th District Democratic race in the congressional primaries. But his experience is different than the other candidates.

John Tree became a military hero of sorts late last year, subduing an unruly passenger on United Flight 448. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews witnessed the incident and invited Tree on his program. He was slowly gaining notoriety as a candidate in Illinois’ 10th District, despite his late entry into the race in November.

Brad Schneider is a self-described progressive father of two, who, according to the latest internal polls, has pulled into the lead in the 10th District Democratic primary.

At 25 years old, Ilya Sheyman is just old enough to run for Congress. But he’s made a big impression in a short amount of time.

The mayor wants to save money by putting fewer firefighters on a truck,  but firefighters say that would compromise safety. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take up the issue.

Children's Memorial Hospital is considering starting a clinic to serve kids who feel they were born the wrong gender. We talk with a doctor at the hospital who's pushing for this to happen.

Some familiar faces have been excluded from Chicago Magazine's list of the 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans. The magazine's executive editor tells us why.

Boxed wine, hangovers and mystery champagnes. Check Please! Host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh answers your questions live on our show. Then, cozy up to your computer with your favorite cocktail and join us for a live online chat during and after the segment!

There were some unusual laws in what used to be a Christian Utopia, but is now Zion, Illinois. Geoffrey Baer has the surprising story of Zion, and some of Chicago's other hidden utopias.

The James Beard Foundation has whet the appetite of several Chicago eateries. The Foundation, which gives the culinary equivalent of the Oscars, is naming its semifinalists for this year's awards.

Duckworth is a war veteran, who lost both her legs in combat as a helicopter pilot. But her resulting disabilities didn’t impede her public service work; and she says she wants to continue to advocate for the people. She is running for the Democratic nomination in the 10th District against Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Public outcry is growing over plans to shut down or shake up 16 Chicago Public Schools. Elizabeth Brackett has more on a day of protest. Then, Carol Marin talks with leaders from CPS and the Teachers Union.