One could say that the Chicago Field Museum is putting a lot of eggs in one basket, with the publication of its new book, The Book of Eggs. The result being a grand collection, extensive showcase of 600 species of birds. We find out more when John Bates, associate curator and book editor, joins us. Take a quiz.

Actor Michael Urie made his claim to fame starring in the hit TV sitcom Ugly Betty. He joins us on Chicago Tonight to talk about his new Chicago comedy show Buyer and Cellar. Learn more about Urie's new play.

We share what you had to say about Jay Shefsky's recent story on the city's new approach to rodent control when we read some of our viewer feedback.

A plan to rescue the pension system of Cook County workers could be on the fast track in pension-weary Springfield. So much so that County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is putting her reputation on the line to lobby state lawmakers and the governor to get it done in the waning days of the general assembly spring session. Will it happen? 

Illinois celebrates its bicentennial in 2018, and two authors have suggestions on how to fix the funk in Illinois just in time for the celebration. Read an excerpt from Fixing Illinois: Politics and Policy in the Prairie State.

What does China's rising economic and political clout on the world stage mean for the United States? The New Yorker writer Evan Osnos visits Chicago Tonight to talk about China's rising status and his new book. Read an excerpt from Age of Ambition. 

Geoffrey visits a rediscovered war curiosity, a long-lost war trophy, and a place in Chicago where north meets north in tonight’s Ask Geoffrey. 

Now that spring-like weather is actually here, what should you do with your tulips and other flowers? Eliza Fournier from the Chicago Botanic Garden joins us to offer spring gardening pointers. Read tips from Chicago Botanic Garden's May gardening checklist.

Springfield legislators enter the final stretch for the spring session and Chicago Sun-Times’ Springfield bureau chief Dave McKinney joins us with an update on where Gov. Quinn’s efforts to make his “temporary” income tax extension permanent stand, more general assembly news.

The original January 2002 airing of Attorney Michael Shakman on Chicago Tonight.

The legal battle that started in 1969 over Chicago patronage hiring is ending. Attorney Michael Shakman filed a motion to stop the federal hiring oversight because he says the city has reached "substantial compliance." We’ll talk to the man behind the “Shakman Decree," hear why he thinks the city no longer needs a hiring watchdog. 

Chicago Tonight first reported on the wave of digital billboards that were sprouting up unregulated in neighborhoods, a year ago. Despite complaints from residents, aldermen, electronic billboards are back. 

Last week House Speaker Michael Madigan advanced a proposal to ask voters whether the state’s minimum wage should be increased to $10 an hour. Despite countless reports and research, the argument over the minimum wage still remains contentious. We debate the issue with our panel.