An exhibit running through March at the Graham Foundation in Chicago outlines action--practical, whimsical or outlandish--that city dwellers can take to make their homes a better place. 

The goal for Northwestern's women's basketball program this season is to be big competitors in the Big Ten conference. In his second year, head coach Joe McKeown brought in a freshman class that could help the team do just that. Allison Schatell takes a look at how this group could help the Wildcats over the next four years.

Women boxers can hook and jab just like the men. And now that they can go to the Olympics in 2012, they are fighting even harder to prove they belong in the sport. Allison Schatell goes inside the ring with local female boxers, where they now can realize the Olympic dream.

These small cups of water are crucial to Chicago marathon runners. But the people who hand them out provide more than just hydration. Allison Schatell takes a look at how much time and energy it takes to help the faces and the feet that flash by so quickly.

2016 Olympic hopefuls from the Chicago area found out Friday they won't be competing at home. Allison Schatell talked to a rhythmic gymnast from the North Shore who's disappointed but not discouraged.

BATTEN DISEASE IS A GENETIC DISORDER THAT AFFECTS FEWER THAN 500 CHILDREN IN THE WORLD. BECAUSE IT'S SO RARE, ONLY A SMALL NUMBER OF DOCTORS HAVE RESEARCHED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISEASE. NOW A LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS WORKING HARD TO CHANGE THAT. IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT TO SAVE THE LIFE OF A LITTLE BOY. 

Many people with medical conditions wait months or years for promising new drugs. But for Lupus patients, the wait is almost over. After five decades with no new therapies, a new Lupus treatment is about to hit the market. In the past therapies have treated the symptoms. But this new drug is attacking the source.

Cleaning up a neighborhood takes time and effort.  The small steps can make the biggest difference.  Now environmentalists have turned the focus from recycling to reducing.  I talked to two people taking very different approaches to trashing consumerism.

Sometimes it's easy to miss the everyday people in your life — the cashier at your coffee shop, the bus driver on your way to work, or the doorman who greets you every morning.  But you can't miss Desmond Campbell.  He's a doorman on a mission. 

For most people, the phrase "final resting place" means final. But for those buried in a cemetery near O'Hare International Airport, this might not be the case. Autum Dierking has the story.

 Most of us would agree that these days one dollar doesn't go very far. But in the Roseland neighborhood, it bought one developer nearly 100,000 square feet of land.  Kristian Weatherspoon explains why some residents have high hopes for this bargain-basement deal.

Imagine a terrible accident that leaves you unable to walk or use your arms.  That's what happened to one Chicago man.  But while he faces countless limitations on land, a local organization is helping him find freedom at sea.   

We all know we're getting older. The question is: what will happen to us when we can't take care of ourselves?  Thousands of seniors in Illinois rely on the state to cover the cost of elder care, but as lawmakers grapple with a new budget, some of that funding might be in jeopardy.  Jessica Harbin tells us why some seniors say: for healthcare, there's "no place like home."

 When things get stressful, sometimes people say they want to rip out their hair. Of course, most people are just kidding. But a few are serious. Hair pulling can be a real psychological disorder.

Alderman Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward) is trying to clean up Uptown's lakeshore parks by letting homeless  people know it's not ok to sleep in them.  She is teaming up with the Chicago Police Department and the Department of Human Services by scheduling "sweeps" after the parks close. Anyone found in a park after hours is offered shelter and social services. but not everyone wants the help.

A new government program combines fuel efficiency and economic stimulus.  The program is called the 'Car Allowance Rebate System,' althought most people know it as something else.

You've probably heard the rhyme, "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite." Turns out that's a fair warning here in Chicago.Learn how bedbugs are a growing problem and how you can help to reduce the infestation.

During stressful times some women rely on pampering themselves to stay sane--others just want to look good. But Allison Schatell explains why taking care of yourself has more than the obvious benefits.

Golf isn't just for grownups in funny pants. A local organization is getting kids involved in the game to teach them important lessons about life.

Residents with dimentia at the Norwood Crossing assisted living center participate in therapeutic gardening that helps them build confidence and a sense of community. The center raised enough money to open a new garden outside, which residents will be able to tend to daily. 

A new Wicker Park salon is offering luxury and great service for its customers. But it also offers something more: a service that helps heal the environment.  Jessica Harbin has the story.

This week marks the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  When President George H.W. Bush signed the bill into law back in 1990, it became the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilites.  Jessica Harbin tells us how the bill has helped Americans and why some say it's not enough.

Several Chicago artists are designing works to beautify CTA stations all around the city. Autum Dierking shows us how one local mosaic maker is mixing the Belmont community into his palette.

From its small beginnings as a cottage on the corner of Belden and Halsted, Children's Memorial Hospital will soon leave Lincoln Park. Although the hospital will reopen in the Streeterville neighborhood, some Lincoln Park business owners are worried about the hospital moving.  

The Brookfield Zoo is celebrating its seventy fifth anniversary this week. Find out what the area's largest zoo has done over the years to remain one of the country's most popular zoos. 

For new moms looking to get back in shape without dipping into baby's college fund, there are more options than just an expensive gym membership. Autum Dierking shows us a group of local moms who are finding cheaper ways to stay fit.

Public libraries all over the country have been cutting hours and workers because of budget deficits. Recently, the Chicago Public Library joined the club even though circulation is up 30 percent.  Allison Schatell tells us about how budget cuts are why 120 CPL employees lost their jobs after union holdouts.

 When you think of breast surgery, you probably think of a cosmetic procedure. But for one group, it's much more. Kristin Maiorano tells us how for some, it's necessary. 

 More and more teachers are leaving chicago public schools. In fact, a University of Chicago study showed CPS loses about a fourth of its faculty and staff every year. Alex Thomas tells us why teachers are moving on, and what it'll take to get them to stay. 

 During tough economic times, many americans are vacationing in their own cities. But some have found a way to travel on a budget. Alex Thomas tells us their secret. 

Forget putting your old analog televisions out with the regular trash in Chicago. With the switch to digital, streets and sanitation has been inundated with old TV's and wono't pick them up anymore. And as Autum Dierking learned, Chicagoans don't have a lot of channels for tossing old tubes.

Summer vacation is officially here. But many parents may be running out of activities and kids are starting to get bored.  Jessica Harbin has a boredom buster for North Side kids that won't break the bank.

  There's a battle brewing in the west chatham neighborhood. Some neighbors say a new Walmart will bring jobs and revitalization to the area, but some unions say the retailer isn't welcome. Alex Thomas has the story. 

 Disabilities claims for veterans have doubled in the past six years.  Vietnam and Korean vets are aging and need more services.  Plus, the return of troops from the Middle East means more and more vets are asking for help.  Almost twenty percent of vets suffer from post trauma stress disorder. And medical VA's are preparing for more and more cases.  So is one organization that helps newly returned soldiers find the help they need.  

Electronic books used to be the stuff of science fiction. Not anymore. Amazon is out with its Kindle and as better smartphones hit the market, more readers are changing their ways. Autum Dierking shows us how one local writer is using this technology to turn a new page in his career.

 More and more people are finding new ways to save on gas. Some Chicagoans are now cutting costs by turning their four wheels into two.

Lab tests are a big part of medical decision-making.  The problem is, not enough people are trained to run those tests.  Allison Schatell found out about one local company that's trying to get high school students interest in medical laboratories.

For 35 years Chicago's summer nutrition program has served meals to children during their break from school.  This year, the program will likely feed more kids than ever before.  Allison Schatell takes you inside one location where organizers are trying to keep up with demand.

Sprawling lawns of green grass are like hot dogs, baseball and apple pie to many americans.  However, a new movement in gardening is showing homeowners why grass isn't that green.    

Many graduate school students are afraid they might not be able to find a job in these difficult economic times.  Some are considering positions they never would have wanted a few years ago.  

Chicagoans are responding to President Obama’s rally for an increase in volunteerism.  Kristian Weatherspoon tells us how one near West side organization is seeing an increase in helping hands.

 Disabilities claims for veterans have doubled in the past six years.  Vietnam and Korean vets are aging and need more services.  Plus, the return of troops from the Middle East means more and more vets are asking for help. 

CHICAGOANS ARE RESPONDING TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S RALLY FOR AN INCREASE IN VOLUNTEERISM.  KRISTIAN WEATHERSPOON IS TELLS US HOW ONE NEAR WEST SIDE ORGANIZATION IS SEEING AN INCREASE IN HELPING HANDS.     

This week marks the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  When President George H.W. Bush signed the bill into law back in 1990, it became the world's first comprehensive civil rights law for people with disabilites.  Jessica Harbin tells us how the bill has helped Americans and why some say it's not enough.

 The number of new HIV cases nationwide has plateaued, but here in Chicago some groups are seeing rising rates of infection.  Here's a closer look at what Chicago is doing to prevent and test for HIV.  

A rising number of children in Illinois are growing up with a parent behind bars.  At Ruth's House, women recently released from prison, are given the support necessary to start a new life.