Chicago Stories

Her restaurant The Boarding House was just named a 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist for "Outstanding Wine Program," and she was the youngest women and only South Asian in the world to become a Master Sommelier. Mayor Emanuel chats with Alpana Singh about the City's wine, dining and cultural scene, the "sisterhood" of female chefs and restauranteurs and her family history from Fiji to Chicago.

Even before "Friends" David Schwimmer became a household name, he was a passionate actor, director and activist rooted in Chicago's cultural community as a founding member of the Lookingglass Theatre Company with a work ethic that is second to none. Hear his conversation with fellow Northwestern alum Mayor Emanuel about his new play Plantation!, his powerful series of PSAs on sexual harassment called #ThatsHarassment, his role as a father and why Chicago continues to be his artistic home.

From driving a cab to driving the national debate on immigration, Congressman Luis Gutiérrez tells Mayor Emanuel how it happened in a wide-ranging conversation through Chicago's neighborhoods, Puerto Rico's countryside, the halls of Congress and the Oval Office.

Chicago is on the road to the Oscars! Local film company Kartemquin Films, which has been making powerful independent films for over 50 years, has just been nominated for not one but two Academy Awards this year for Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (nominated for Best Documentary), and Edith+Eddie (nominated for Best Short Documentary). Hear from Betsy Steinberg, Executive Director and Tim Horsburgh, Director of Communications and Distribution, about Kartemquin Films, one of Chicago's best-kept secrets.

Graham Elliot knows the secret to the perfect grilled cheese. The celebrity chef stopped by City Hall to talk to Mayor Emanuel about everything from Chicago's food scene, to his new projects, his advice for young chefs, and, of course, that grilled cheese secret. (Hint: It has to do with the crusts.)

99-year-old Timuel Black is one of Chicago's most influential activists and civil rights leaders. His experience serving in World War II in Normandy and witnessing the horrors of Buchenwald concentration camp led him to devote his life to the fight for human rights. Professor Black became a close friend to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was influential in helping Harold Washington become the first African-American mayor of Chicago, as well as President Barack Obama's rise. Hear his incredible story.

The tables are turned as Mayor Emanuel interviews David Axelrod, host of "The Axe Files," about his 40-year career in politics, his daughter's battle with epilepsy and his unique view of Chicago as a former Tribune reporter in the 1970s. You won't want to miss this conversation between two Obama-era veterans.

University of Chicago distinguished law professor Eric Posner co-wrote a powerful Op-Ed in the New York Times about the Logan Act and Robert Mueller's investigation. Hear him discuss its legal dimensions and possible outcomes with Mayor Emanuel.

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, speaks with the Mayor about his recent visit to Puerto Rico for relief and recovery efforts and shares his thoughts on immigration and DACA, the role of religion and faith in addressing violence in the city, and his path to becoming a leader in the Catholic Church.

Meet Anthony Moseley, Artistic Director of Collaboraction, a contemporary theater company part of "Night Out in the Parks" that explores race, culture and social justice issues across the city. He's "surprisingly fresh" in his approach to tackling tough topics on the stage with a vivacity that is purely Chicago.