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Poet Elizabeth Alexander

Elizabeth Alexander wrote and delivered the poem, Praise Song for the Day at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. Three years later, her husband died suddenly of a heart attack - four days after his 50th birthday party. Her new book is a touching memoir about her love and deep loss.

Viewer Feedback: 6/15

We share what you had to say about Elizabeth Brackett's report on the aging Mackinaw Straits pipelines, and whether a city income tax should be considered to help solve Chicago's fiscal troubles.

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Could There be a City Income Tax?

With billions of new revenue needed over the next few years to fund pensions, is a city income tax on the table? We get reaction from aldermen and budget experts.

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Examining the Consequences of a Property Tax Freeze

The political game of chicken between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic lawmakers got even more heated this week as the two sides went toe-to-toe over the issue of freezing property taxes. Chicago Tonight analyzes the pros and cons of a property tax freeze with experts. 

The Straits of Mackinac Pipeline

The Great Lakes contain 90 percent of the fresh water in the U.S. and the Straits of Mackinac have some of the most pristine water in the Great Lakes. But underneath the water are more than 60-year-old pipelines carrying crude oil and natural gas. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

The Wright Brothers Take Flight in New Biography

David McCullough is an author, narrator, historian, and lecturer. He’s received two Pulitzer Prizes, the National Book Award, and nation's highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his new book, The Wright Brothers, McCullough takes us back to 1903 when two unknown brothers from Ohio changed the course of history.

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The Other Obama Library

A new exhibit in Hyde Park shares its name with a building that has generated a lot of publicity, protest, and angst over the last several months: The Barack Obama Presidential Library. But unlike the officially curated and managed home of the future former president's legacy, the Barack Obama Presidential Library housed at The Hyde Park Free Theater describes itself as “a community museum of, for, and by the people.”

Viewer Feedback: 6/11

We share what you had to say about Carol Marin’s conversation with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, Exelon Corporation’s request for a rate hike, and Illinois’ continuing struggle with the state budget.

What Happens if a Budget Isn’t Passed?

With no budget and only weeks before the new fiscal year starts, the state is careening toward a government shutdown. Who would that impact? 

State Budget Battle Continues

The battle over the state’s budget continues to heat up. We’ll talk with Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky about the latest news coming out of the state’s Capitol. 

Sister Rosemary on “Sewing Hope”

Named one of Time’s 100 most influential people last year, Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, a Ugandan educator, joins us to talk about her advocacy for women and girls who have survived years of kidnappings and violence at the hands of the Lord’s Resistance Army warlord in Uganda.

Project-Based Learning Creates Solar Cars, Homeless Shelters

Students at Haines Elementary School in Chinatown are learning the Next Generation Science Standards by building solar-powered cars and portable homeless shelters. Teachers there are combining all aspects of a STEM education--science, technology, engineering, and math--while students complete fun projects.

Scientific Chicago with Neil Shubin

Once thought impossible, new research suggests people can learn perfect pitch. University of Chicago paleontologist and science explainer extraordinaire Neil Shubin is back to discuss that, the unique way trap-jaw ants avoid predators, “virgin births” in sawfish, and the shrinking of Mount Everest.