Martha Stewart, David Petraeus, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards and many more notable speakers will be in town this month for Chicago Ideas Week. Launched in 2011, this annual cultural event includes a series of talks and panel discussions as well as “labs,” which are tours and other types of hands-on events. Organizers say attendance this year is expected to more than double to 34,000 compared to 2011.  

In addition to speakers like comedian Tom Arnold and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, Ideas Week also includes a Books on the L initiative that will place hundreds of books on Chicago Transit Authority "L" trains throughout the city. 

Tonight, we’ll talk with Brad Keywell, the Groupon co-founder who helped start Ideas Week, about what's in store for this year.  

Chicago Ideas Week runs Monday, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at various locations. Below, information for aforementioned speakers.

David Petraeus and Cecile Richards
Panel: Leading Under Pressure
When: Tuesday, Oct. 13
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.
Ticket: $15 (plus $2.50 processing fee)
Livestream: ABC-7 Chicago will livestream the talk

Tom Arnold
Panel: Cultural Icons: You Know the Headlines. Now Learn the Truth.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.
Ticket: $15 (plus $2.50 processing fee)
Livestream: ABC-7 Chicago will livestream the talk

Martha Stewart
Panel: Top of Their Game: Entrepreneurs & Their Startup Stories
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.
Ticket: Sold out at this time, but more may become available before the event.
Livestream: ABC-7 Chicago will livestream the talk

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill
Panel: The Global Economy
When: Thursday, Oct. 15
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
Where: Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave.
Ticket: $15 (plus $2.50 processing fee)