The federal civil rights investigation into the Chicago Police Department is now underway. Federal officials will meet with Mayor Rahm Emanuel tomorrow and spent Wednesday with top police officials.

On Thursday, “Chicago Tonight” welcomes 50 Mikva Challenge high school students from across the city to participate in a forum on violence.

The cash-strapped Chicago Public Schools is spiraling closer and closer to a financial doomsday that could see as many as 5,00 teachers laid off to help plug a $480 million budget hole. The CPS CEO joins us to talk about the district's finances and the new four-year contract being offered to the Chicago Teachers Union.

Last night's GOP presidential debate hosted by CNN set off some fireworks as candidates did all they could to make an impression in a crowded field. Political communications specialist Jason DeSanto joins "Chicago Tonight" to give his take on the heated discourse.

One of the most significant transit initiatives to launch in Chicago begins service this weekend. We take a preview spin around the city's first bus rapid transit line, called Loop Link.

In this food-loving town we have everything from hot dog stands and McDonald’s headquarters to the culinary artistry of Grant Achatz's Alinea. And they all need photography. Jay Shefsky offers a behind-the-scenes look at a very tasty photo shoot. 

A small, windowless building on Block 37 is dwarfed by glassy new high-rises. A viewer wonders how it managed to escape the wrecking ball. Geoffrey Baer shares the story behind this unusual building, plus the history of the Marshall Field’s holiday windows and Kermit the Frog’s commercials for milk in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Caryn Benson, 38, of Romeoville, was charged on Tuesday by the federal government with one count of embezzlement, but records show a past theft charge.

Embattled State's Attorney Anita Alvarez chose to not attend a marathon City Council committee hearing Tuesday on police misconduct in the wake of the ongoing scandal at the Chicago Police Department.

Exclusive: “Chicago Tonight” has learned that U.S. Department of Justice officials are scheduled to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday as the civil rights investigation into the police department gets underway. 

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool says the district has offered the Chicago Teachers Union a new contract proposal. Brandis Friedman has the details.

A day after teachers voted overwhelming to go on strike, Chicago Public Schools is offering teachers a new contract that it says will prevent thousands of teacher layoffs. Jesse Sharkey joins us for a discussion.

While fatal police-involved shootings have been at the center of many recent news stories, it seems the voices of officers connected to these incidents aren’t always the loudest.

The risk of a Great Lakes oil spill has grown as the region becomes a hub for refining and transporting heavy tar sands oil. Oil that the Coast Guard says it does not have a method to clean up.