Speakers at a CPS-led public hearing Wednesday repeatedly called on board members to vote down the district’s budget proposal, and instead advocate more strongly for sustainable funding.

WBEZ’s Northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente joins to discuss the start of the new school year in Gary.

Geoffrey Baer explores why hot dogs and ketchup don’t mix in Chicago in this encore edition of “Ask Geoffrey.”

A group cited for its efforts to thwart white supremacists has plans to counter Islamist extremists. But after the Trump administration revoked a $400,000 grant to Life After Hate, those plans may be on hold.

Ravin Gandhi denounced the president’s comments on Charlottesville in an op-ed, and now finds himself the target of racist invective. What he hopes will come out of the experience.

Pet owners should not panic, local health officials say, but take precautions after a rabid kitten was found in Carroll County.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure this week allowing the city to install noise monitors along the scenic expressway, following residents’ complaints.

As more people flock to the backyard poultry trend, the number of salmonella infections are likely to increase, says Illinois Department of Public Health veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin.

Top legislators spent hours Monday working on an education funding package, and reaction to a political cartoon is still simmering. 

A marathon private session between Illinois’ top legislative leaders was evidently productive enough that House Speaker Michael Madigan is canceling the chamber’s expected vote on a contentious education funding plan Wednesday as talks continue. 

The governor says Chicago could solve a lot of CPS’ financial problems by getting rid of TIF districts, but the mayor and other budget watchdogs say that doing away with them could actually cost public schools money.

Watch the Aug. 22, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Gov. Bruce Rauner may be set to sign legislation limiting cooperation between officials in Illinois and federal immigration authorities.

The Cook County sweetened beverage tax has had a challenging rollout, but Toni Preckwinkle doesn’t appear to be backing down. And she’s found a deep-pocketed supporter of the tax who’s helping with a media campaign.

The former U.S. attorney, who was asked to resign by the Trump administration in March, joins us in discussion.