SORT

FILTER


 

Mayoral and Aldermanic Inauguration

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 50 aldermen, including 13 newcomers, and citywide elected officials are sworn into office at the Chicago Theater. Paris Schutz has the details on today’s ceremony.

New Aldermen Sworn In

There are 13 new members joining City Council today. We talk to four of them about their priorities and the fiscal challenges that face Chicago in the next four years.

"Born Survivors" on the Infants of the Holocaust

In the new book Born Survivors, author Wendy Holden tells the story of three women who gave birth in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The three babies managed to survive, and they finally meet one another 65 years later.

The School Project: Teaching

The School Project is a Chicago-based documentary series that is tracking the past and present status of the city's public school system. The sixth and final episode examines education reforms and teaching philosophies.

Viewer Feedback: 5/18

We share what you had to say about Spike Lee’s new movie Chiraq, whether Chicago should file for bankruptcy, and the death of blues guitarist B.B. King when read some of our viewer feedback. 

ANALYSIS: Emanuel Engages On Critical Issues, But Balanced Budget Claims Questionable

During his first in a planned series of interviews with Chicago Tonight, Mayor Emanuel asserted he balanced the city’s budget in each of the last four years. But while the budgets may have been balanced on paper, budget analysts and journalists say the record is far muddier.

Blues Legend B.B. King Dies at 89

The King of Blues, B.B. King, died Thursday at the age of 89 at his home in Las Vegas, according to a message posted to his official website. Earlier this month, the legendary guitarist wrote he was receiving hospice care at his residence.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 5/15

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Moody’s downgrading of Chicago’s credit, the Obama Library coming to town, and more in this edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review.

Web Extra: The Week in Review: 5/15

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue the conversation by discussing media access to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner.  

Weekend Events Around Town: 5/15-5/17

Meet the newest inhabitants at the Shedd Aquriuam; kick off the street festival season; and enjoy a glass of wine while you stroll. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.

Rauner Questions Constitutionality of Pension Proposals

For the first time, Gov. Bruce Rauner discussed his concerns over the constitutionality of his and Senate President John Cullerton’s pension proposals. The governor also spoke about taking several of his turnaround agenda items “off the table,” but he wouldn’t say what those items were.

Moody’s Issues a Warning Against Illinois

Moody’s Investors Service has issued a “credit negative” warning against the state in light of last Friday’s State Supreme Court ruling rejecting changes to public pensions. It’s a somewhat tepid response to the ruling, relative to the double ratings drop Moody’s applied to city of Chicago’s credit, resulting in junk bond status. In today’s report, Moody’s says the reforms could have reduced the unfunded pension liability by about $21 billion. 

Spike Lee on “Chiraq”

Film director Spike Lee is giving few clues into the approach he'll take with his controversially titled Chiraq. But at a press conference this morning outside St. Sabina Church on the South Side, Lee did say “Chicago will survive” his take on the city’s violence that has made international headlines. We hear from the controversial director and some victims’ relatives about their support for Lee’s film which is currently in preproduction in Chicago.