Stories by Alexandra Silets

Are you sick of traffic jams and lakefront path congestion on the 7-mile stretch on the north end of Lake Shore Drive? An overhaul of the Drive from Grand Avenue all the way to the end at the Hollywood curve is in the planning phase. Some ideas include reducing driving speeds, easing the Oak Street curve, adding bus-only lanes, relieving traffic pinch points, and improving lakefront access and easing overcrowding on the lakefront path. We have analysis.

We talk with Chicago Public Library Commissioner Brian Bannon about his vision for bringing the city’s libraries into the 21st century.

The City of Chicago says it now has a greener and more cost-effective way to treat ash trees infested by the destructive Emerald Ash Borer. City crews are inoculating the trees. Officials say the treatment will spare tens of thousands of trees from being cut down, and saves $1,000 per tree in removal costs. We look at how effective the treatment is. Read an article.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review shows currently on Chicago area stages, including Shrek the Musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Slowgirl at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Mojada at Victory Gardens Theater. Learn more about the plays and watch a web extra video review.

In the second mass killing of protesters in three weeks, Egyptian authorities attacked protesters in Cairo Saturday, killing 72. M. Cherif Bassiouni, a war crimes expert and law professor at DePaul University, joins us with insight into the conflict.

New York-based ad firm Omnicom and Paris-based ad firm Publicis merged on Sunday, creating the largest advertising firm with $23 billion in combined revenue. The merger might create complications since it will bring together rival clients, such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson, and AT&T and Verizon. We have analysis.

Sen. Dick Durbin says the U.S. House of Representatives' bill to cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 80 percent would severely impact programs created to address ecological problems facing the Great Lakes. Programs to keep Asian carp out of the lakes would be slashed, among others. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read a fact sheet.

Author Rebecca Sive joins us to discuss her leadership guide for women, Every Day is Election Day: A Woman's Guide to Winning Any Office, from the PTA to the White House. Read an excerpt.

Chicago artist Leo Segedin, 86, is still painting about his childhood on the west side, and dancing into old age. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. View a slideshow of some of Segedin's favorite pieces, handpicked by the artist himself.

We share your thoughts about the fire marshal's proposal to change sprinkler code requirements in Illinois in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

The first potential Democratic challenger to Gov. Pat Quinn was Bill Daley, who officially announced his candidacy on July 30, only to drop out of the race on Sept. 16.

State Sen. Bill Brady announced his third run for governor on June 26, 2013.

Kirk Dillard officially announced his second run for Illinois governor on July 15, 2013.

On June 2, 2013, Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford officially threw his name in the mix for the Republican gubernatorial primary. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines. Check out our weekly roundup with links to all of our stories from this week.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists break down how Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel are responding to the CPS budget crisis. Watch the web extra conversation.

A concert at the zoo, lots of used books, and a festival for kids at the Art Institute; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

Did Illinois business leaders lobby ratings agencies to lower the state's bond rating? Paris Schutz has the latest details on a bizarre twist in the pension debate.

There’s a battle raging over the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s plan to require all residential and business buildings taller than four stories to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Churches, restaurants, and any building used for gatherings of 50 or more people would also be required to add sprinklers. Opponents say the expense outweighs the fire safety benefits. Eddie Arruza and his guests analyze both sides.

When she was 13, Karsyn Terry took second place in a national, 14-and-under pool tournament. In the 24 years that this tournament has existed, Karsyn is the first African American to make the finals. Now, after a year of intensive training with her father, she is going for first place this weekend. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an article.

YouTube personality Emily Graslie, creator of the "The Brain Scoop” channel, joins us to talk about her new gig at the Field Museum as its Chief Curiosity Correspondent. She will also bring some friends from the Field’s collections to share. Watch Emily's online science videos.

You might remember her as the devilish Vera on Downton Abbey. But Irish singer, songwriter, and actress Maria Doyle Kennedy also has a heavenly singing voice. She joins us for a conversation and performance.

Ald. Joe Moore responds to ethics violations alleged by Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan. Watch the web extra video.

Illinois Rep. Deb Mell is officially sworn in to her new City Council job as alderman of the 33rd ward and her father Ald. Dick Mell's replacement. Paris Schutz has the details on that, and response from Ald. Joe Moore about ethics investigations news we broke on Sunday. Watch web extra video.

Chicago Public Schools introduced its 2014 school budget on Wednesday amid protesting parents and teachers. Officials say they will fill the $1 billion budget gap with $68 million in classroom cuts and the use of $700 million from reserve funds. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

School closings, ethics probes and more; we have the latest City Council news from our aldermanic roundtable.