Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy joins us to discuss the increased use of the so-called Hug-A-Thug interventions, whether the severe weather has played a role in Chicago’s declining crime rate, and the impact that the capture of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán may have on drugs and gangs in Chicago.

Illinois is now rated as the least credit-worthy state in the nation. It seems increasingly likely that some form of state tax reform must be a part of any plan to address the state’s long-term fiscal woes. But what type of reform? State Rep. David McSweeney and State Rep. Christian Mitchell debate the merits of a progressive vs. a flat tax. View an infographic from Reboot Illinois for a nationwide overview on taxes.

New research shows that the combination of mentoring and intensive tutoring can make up for three years' worth of lost learning for 9th and 10th grade boys who were previously at risk of dropping out down the road. Brandis Friedman has the story. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman joins us with a sneak peek at the 2014 season. Read more about the concert season.

The Civil War is remembered through art and literature that capture the American spirit on the Northern home front. We revisit a preview of The Newberry Library's exhibit, Home Front: Daily Life in the Civil War North. A book of the same title is a companion volume to the collaborative exhibition. Read an excerpt.

We share what you had to say about our conversation with Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire on the life and legacy of Harold Ramis and the skyrocketing pothole claims in the city when we read some of our viewer feedback.

The brutal winter has led to skyrocketing pothole claims in the city. What can residents do? And when will they be filled? Paris Schutz has the story. View the city's Pothole Tracker map to see where potholes have been patched in the last seven days.

Chicago will be the new site for a manufacturing-technology research lab that will focus on turning academic research into profitable, job creating projects in the Midwest. But how much is this costing and will the benefits meet expectations? We discuss the issue. Read an article.

The ISAT test is scheduled to begin next week, but some Chicago Public School teachers are refusing to administer the statewide tests. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.

Jim Tilmon discusses his career, WTTW’s “Our People,” and the impact African American programming has had on public affairs television.

Vietnam veteran Lon Hodge struggled for years with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder until he got a PTSD service dog named Gander. Lon says that Gander has saved his life. Now, Lon and Gander help other vets and work to raise awareness about PTSD, veteran suicide and service dogs. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an interview with Fran Menley, Service Dog Trainer at Freedom Service Dogs of America, about how they rescue, train and pair dogs with veterans and people with disabilities.

A chunk of transportation history rests in the Chicago River. Geoffrey Baer talks trains and technology in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Writer, actor and director Harold Ramis died at the age of 69. Joining us to talk about his life and career are Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire. Watch a 1997 Wild Chicago clip featuring Ramis and host Will Klinger, and watch all of Ramis's appearances from WTTW's archives.