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Viewer Feedback: 7/9

We share what you had to say about the troubles of North Chicago school district and how government values education, a lawsuit targeting three suburbs for their alleged lax regulations on gun sales, and what’s keeping Illinois mired in budget woes when we read some of our viewer feedback.

CPS to Issue Schools' Budgets Monday

Chicago Public Schools says it will issue budgets for schools on Monday. As reported by Chicago Tonight on Wednesday, many principals throughout CPS are growing increasingly frustrated that they are expected to plan for the new school year and finalize hiring decisions with little idea of how much money they will have to spend. It now appears principals will soon get some clarity.

Taste of Chicago: Go Guide

The 35th annual summer event, billed as the world's largest festival of its kind, returns to Grant Park this week with food, fun, and live music from Spoon, Erykah Badu, and others.

Illinois House Lawmakers Return to Springfield

Illinois House lawmakers are back in session in Springfield a week after representatives failed to pass a one-month spending plan. The Democrat-controlled House led by Speaker Michael Madigan is scheduled to take up the temporary spending plan again despite opposition from Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican lawmakers. We talk with Chicago Tonight's Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky about the status of the budget and more.

Preparing for the New School Year Amid Financial Uncertainty

Chicago school principals are faced with the unenviable task of trying to plan for the new school year amid massive financial uncertainty. At a time when most would be hoping to finalize hiring decisions, they have no idea what their budget will be and how many teachers and other support staff they can afford. We learn what it's like to try and plan for the new school year with so many unknown factors.

Possible Hike in Chicago Property Taxes

According to a Crain's Chicago Business analysis, Chicago police and fire pensions could drive up property taxes by more than 30 percent. Crain’s senior reporter Thomas A. Corfman joins us to explain the analysis.

Chicago’s Shared Streets, Efforts to Boost Biking

Construction gets underway this week on the Argyle Streetscape project in Uptown, which will create a first-of-its-kind Chicago street that's shared among bikes, cars, and pedestrians.

Local Organization Helps Transgender People Find Work

We take a look at a local organization that helps transgender people improve their work skills, find jobs, and overcome social stigmas facing the trans community. 

Eliza Fournier Shares Gardening Tips for Summertime Greens

The Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier joins Chicago Tonight with tips and demonstrations on how to make the most of your garden in July.

Coalition Files Suit Over Gun Sales in Suburbs

Several mothers of young men killed by gun violence in Chicago are named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against three suburban Chicago communities: Lyons, Riverdale, and Lincolnwood. Attorneys who filed the suit Tuesday morning explain that those towns have lax or insufficient methods of licensing and regulating their gun dealers, and are therefore disproportionately impacting poor and minority communities in Chicago.

Who Wins and Who Loses in a Government Shutdown?

State lawmakers are expected to meet this week to consider a temporary, one-month budget in an effort to stave off the devastating effects of a government shutdown. But as the budget stalemate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-controlled General Assembly continues with no clear resolution in sight, who wins and who loses? 

WBEZ: Puerto Rican Drug Addicts Sent To Chicago Likely Victims of Identity Theft

A story by WBEZ and This American Life in April revealed that heroin abusers from Puerto Rico were being sent to unlicensed drug rehab programs in Chicago, many of which appear to be little better than flophouses and use methods that are questionable at best. The facilities often force clients to give them their identity papers for safe keeping, and don't always give them back when the clients leave. A follow-up report from WBEZ has found that some of the Puerto Rican addicts sent to Chicago appear to be victims of identity theft.

Chicago Housing Market Heats Up, Condos Consider Smoking Bans

Can Chicago condo buildings ban smoking in owners’ units? Some buildings are making the change. We talk with Crain’s Chicago Business real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin about that, the new disclosure rules coming, and the latest trends in the housing market.