Stories by Jessen O'Brien

As President Obama hit the road today to slam the partisanship in Congress, the final three members of the debt reduction "super committee" were named. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at who the 12 committee members are, and whether they'll be able to reach a consensus on spending cuts.

The Interrupters is a new documentary about the fight against violence on Chicago streets. Director/producer Steve James and author-turned-producer Alex Kotlowitz, whose original article inspired the film, join us on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, along with one of the Violence Interrupters

In 1976, Ragdale officially became a nonprofit artists’ community and retreat, but the site has been home to artists since it was built by Arts and Crafts architect Howard Van Doren Shaw in 1897. On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, we take a look at Ragdale under renovation to see what’s in store for its future.

Chicago’s City Council is made up of 50 aldermen, each representing one ward in the city. One of our viewers wants to know when and why these wards were established. Geoffrey Baer has the answer in this week’s Ask Geoffrey.

We asked if you think higher property taxes are warranted for Chicago Public Schools - and you told us!  We have some of your thoughts in tonight's Viewer Mail.

Up one day, down the next. Way down. We discuss the latest plunge on Wall Street with Morningstar’s Paul Larson, and look ahead to tomorrow.

Has hyper-partisanship in Washington made "compromise" a dirty word? We talk with two local congressmen about this, and the implications of the newly named debt "super committee."

A federal judge rules that former mayor Richard M. Daley can be deposed in a civil case alleging a citywide conspiracy to cover up police torture under Jon Burge. Carol Marin broke the story and has the details.

We've all had good and bad experiences calling customer service. But what is life like for the person answering the phone? Chicago Sun-Times' "The Fixer" columnist Stephanie Zimmermann has a report from inside those call centers. 

From an ancient form of water transportation to a hip new summer sport, we show you why this unique hybrid is making a splash at Chicago beaches.

Is it a broken promise or a "tough choice?" Mayor Rahm Emanuel defends a possible $150 million property tax hike to help close the Chicago Public Schools' budget gap. Eddie Arruza reports on what the Mayor had to say.

Stocks go up 430 points just a day after a massive sell-off. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at the volatility on Wall Street, the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates, and where the economy may be heading.

Do people of certain races all look alike? A recent scientific study delves deep into the so-called "other race effect." Ash-har Quraishi explains the science behind the study and how it could have practical applications in the justice system.

Chicago's annual Air & Water show gets underway next weekend. We talk with the city's new commissioner of Cultural Affairs and Special Events about this, and how budgetary constraints will affect arts and special events in Chicago in the future.

Are imported beers getting smaller? Check Please! Host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh is on the case in tonight's edition of Ask Alpana.

Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony were the dynamic duo of design. We meet the married couple who took the ideas of the Prairie School to the other side of the world. The Magic of America: Electronic Edition by Marion Mahony Griffin Walter Burley Griffin Society of America Walter Burley Griffin Society Inc. (Australia)

Rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded the U.S. long-term credit rating from AAA status to AA-plus. The unprecedented move helped trigger another massive sell-off on Wall Street. Carol Marin and her panel examine what this means for the economy and the average investor.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin reacts to the nation's credit downgrade. Eddie Arruza reports on what the senator says he hopes will be the next steps taken in Washington.

Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 joins us to discuss the local impact of S&P's historic downgrade, as well as news of Kraft's split and the latest on Groupon's IPO.

More and more medical providers in Chicago are switching their patient's paper records to electronic. But the conversion is giving some doctors headaches, and has some health officials alarmed. Paris Schutz has the story.

Daren Wendell swam across Lake Michigan this past weekend in a 36-hour, 50.6 mile journey to raise money for a great cause. He's here to talk with us about his amazing feat.

Beautiful interior spaces were created by a forgotten Chicago artist. We look at the stained glass, wood carvings and total living environments that were handmade by artist Edgar Miller. Edgar Miller and the Handmade Home Watch a slideshow

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, the President returns home to collect cash and celebrate his 50th birthday, amid criticism from both sides of the aisle over the debt ceiling compromise. Illinois representatives defend their debt ceiling votes. Tea Party favorite Joe Walsh and Democrat Jan Schakowsky both vote "no" for very different reasons. The Dow nose-dives to its lowest level of the year as fears abound over another worldwide economic slowdown. A new report details the costs of Ald. Ed Burke's bodyguards. Local food giant Kraft gets sliced into two companies.

Illinois Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Robert Dold had opposing votes on the debt ceiling deal. They join Eddie Arruza to explain their votes, and give their thoughts on what appears to be an ever-increasing political divide in Washington.