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.
Stories by elizabeth brackett
Web Extra: On The Table with Elizabeth Brackett
As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s On The Table, Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett hosted a dinner with eight area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions, and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog about the event and watch a video of what participants had to say.
Robert Blagojevich on Fighting for Freedom
Robert Blagojevich, the brother of convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, joins us to discuss his own legal experience beating the odds of a conviction, which is also the subject of his new book, Fundraiser A: My Fight for Freedom and Justice.
Park District Proposes Morgan Shoal Improvement Plan
Community residents liked what they heard about plans to improve the lakefront along the Morgan Shoal on the city’s south side.
Asian Carp Control
The Army Corps of Engineers moves ahead on its plan to control Asian carp and other invasive species.
KCBX Denies Petcoke Dust Problem Despite Air Quality Violations
KCBX reduces its petcoke piles by half and says new air monitors show that petcoke dust does not leave its facility. But the EPA cites the company for two violations of national air quality standards.
What's Up on Northerly Island?
The first phase of the new wilderness park on Northerly Island should be open next spring. We take a look at the transformation of Northerly Island over the last year and a half.
Railroad Tankers
Illinois communities call for tougher regulations on the increasing numbers of railroad tanker cars filled with volatile crude oil rolling through their communities. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.
Controversial Comments Resurface in Pending Mayoral Race
A Facebook group entitled “Karen Lewis for Mayor of Chicago” posted an offensive comment Sunday that brought back reminders from Rahm Emanuel’s first campaign for congressman.
Fighting Emerald Ash Borer
We see how the city is taking care of Ash trees hit by the Emerald Ash borer.
Rogers Park School Struggles to Survive
Embattled Elementary School Determined to be Heard
Peeling lead paint, a broken fire alarm system and a $310,000 budget cut, a Rogers Park Chicago Public School struggles to survive. The school's requests for basic maintenance, repairs had gone unanswered until school activists resorted to taking videos.
Divvy Supplier Bankruptcy Slows Expansion
Spring has brought the Divvy bike sharing program back in a big way. But a bankruptcy by Divvy's bike supplier has slowed expansion plans.
Web Extra: On The Table with Elizabeth Brackett
As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s #OnThetable2014, Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog of the event and watch videos of what participants had to say.
Chicago Petcoke Ordinance Passes
The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance regulating petcoke today. Petcoke is a coal-like substance, a byproduct of refining oil. The new ordinance does put new restrictions on the handling of petcoke, but the community says it's far from enough protection for the neighborhood. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.
Cook County Computers Hacked?
There is concern today that the Cook County employee computer system may have been hacked. Read an article.
Closed School Buildings
Just three of the nearly 50 school buildings closed by Chicago Public Schools last year are now occupied again, though CPS says charter schools could move into the closed buildings if the community approves. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Chicago's Polar Plunge
Elizabeth Brackett was there as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jimmy Fallon, along with thousands of others, hit the frigid Lake Michigan waters on Sunday for this year's Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Read her blog, watch videos and see photos.
Some CPS Teachers Boycotting ISAT
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.
Great Lakes Ice
Ice now covers 81 percent of the Great Lakes, the largest amount of ice coverage in the last 35 years. While the ice is bad news for Great Lakes shipping, it’s good news for raising the lakes' recently low water levels. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Forest Preserve Restoration
A restoration pioneer celebrates 30 years of working in the forest preserves. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Petroleum Coke
Piles of petcoke, a byproduct from oil refineries, building up along the Calumet River have southeast side residents worried about their health. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Rise in Catholic School Enrollment
Catholic school enrollment rises for the first time in years. The rise comes as Chicago Public Schools lose 3,000 students. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Chicago’s Newest Harbor: 31st Street
Chicago’s newest harbor is only one-third full. Critics say it's the Park District's high fees that are keeping boaters away. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
Whittier Field House Demolished
Whittier Elementary School parents protest the demolition of a contested field house. Chicago Public Schools says the Pilsen field house was unsafe. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.
Chicagoans React to Turmoil in Egypt
In restaurants and at home, Chicago's Egyptian Americans have spent the last week glued to television screens and computers, as dramatic change once again sweeps over Egypt. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.
