Stories by Kristen Thometz

Gov. Bruce Rauner declared DeKalb and Ogle counties state disaster areas after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes tore through the area Thursday. At least two people were reported dead in DeKalb County and dozens were injured.

From the mayoral runoff to Wrigley Field's potty problem, politics and sports dominate the conversation between Joel Weisman and his panel of local reporters.  

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the political future of Jesús "Chuy" García, and former congressman Aaron Schock's mounting legal problems.

Listen to Debussy sonatas played by a violin virtuoso; watch a hybrid jazz and Hindu temple dance; and sample Latin America’s cinematic offerings. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.

Some key City Council races are still too close to call. Could it be bad news for Mayor Rahm Emanuel? We have the details.

Hundreds of Chicago area dogs have gotten sick and a number have died from what is believed to be an especially virulent "dog flu." A Chicago veterinarian tells us what the disease is, why it's especially bad, and offers advice about what loving dog owners should and should not do.

Amy Campanelli, a veteran attorney who's worked in the public defender's office for many years, has been confirmed as Cook County's newest public defender. We speak with Campanelli about her priorities for the office, which include reforming bonding to reduce the jail population.

Walgreens is closing 200 stores in the U.S. -- the most the company has done at once. The cost-cutting move comes as a result of the merger with Boots Alliance. Crain's Chicago Business retail reporter Brigid Sweeney has the latest details.

Chicago Tribune's Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin stops by to discuss the renovation efforts to iconic Wrigley Field, including the new video board.

In advance of airing Power to the People tonight, we speak with Johan Norberg, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, about supplying energy to developing nations.

We share what you had to say about renovations to Wrigley Field, invasive species in the Great Lakes, and an artist's crusade to paint and preserve native prairie plants in tonight's viewer feedback.

Rahm Emanuel faces his second term as Chicago mayor, but are the days of rubber stamp City Council over? We have the details.

This historic mayoral runoff election is over with Mayor Rahm Emanuel winning a second term. We discuss the results of that race, as well as the results of the 18 aldermanic runoff elections with our panel of political experts. 

We talk with some aldermanic winners about beating the incumbents, as well as their priorities for the wards they represent and working with a new City Council.

Chicago-based painter Louis Grell was nearly forgotten until family members alerted Elmhurst's Theatre Historical Society about the over 300 commissions he did in movie palaces and hotels in the 1920s and 1930s. We revisit the story.

Gardening season is just around the corner. To help us prepare for the upcoming season, The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan stops by our garden and studio. 

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has secured a hard-fought re-election after a historic and surprising runoff challenge from Cook County Commissioner Jesús "Chuy" García.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is re-elected to a second term as Jesús "Chuy" García concedes. Check out the latest mayoral and aldermanic runoff results.

It's Election Day in Chicago. Voters will decide the fate of the next mayor of Chicago, as well as cast their ballots for alderman in 18 wards.

Author and broadcaster Scott Simon, longtime host of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday, joins us to discuss a new book about his mother's life and death, the lessons she taught him, and the bond they shared.

Best-selling author Erik Larson who shot to fame with his classic, Chicago-inspired book, The Devil In the White City is once again using his celebrated storytelling skills to recount the shocking last voyage of the Lusitania.

The state's Executive Inspector General Ricardo Meza is stepping down after nearly five years on the job. He joins us to talk about Illinois' corruption problem.