A scavenger hunt, restaurant tour and winter activities; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

The Chicago School Board approved seven new charter schools for the city. Where are they located in comparison with the neighborhood schools that were closed down? View a map of charter vs. neighborhood schools.

With only $40 and forged paperwork, crooks are stealing houses from unsuspecting homeowners. It’s real -- and a felony. Last week, the Cook County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an ordinance cracking down on the "Clouding A Title" scammers, adding steep fines to jail sentences. City Treasurer Stephanie Neely and Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough join us with tips on how to protect yourself from strangers changing your locks and moving in.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart plans to eradicate abandoned and blighted homes throughout the county, using county boot camp labor. What community is he starting with? Brandis Friedman has the story. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Chicago’s shared, professional spaces are popping up all over town, and now there is one for attorneys. The Chicago Bar Foundation-sponsored program supplies new lawyers with the skills and knowledge to start their own businesses while reaching a growing number of those in need. Read an article about the incubator.

A new book details the life of one of the most enduring artists in popular music: Mavis Staples.

A remarkable, free music program in a Chicago Public School is changing lives. We revisit Jay Shefsky's story.

We share what you had to say about our recent forum featuring high school students from the Mikva Challenge questioning the GOP candidates for Illinois governor in tonight's viewer feedback.

The Chicago School Board voted Wednesday to approve seven new charter schools in the city. Many parents, as well as the Chicago Teachers Union, have said they will protest any expansion following the closing last year of 50 neighborhood schools. We have the latest on the vote and reaction to it. View a graphic and a map on the new proposed charter schools.

Senate President John Cullerton joins us to talk pensions, the upcoming session and midterm elections.

After state lawmakers finally passed pension reform in December, Illinoisans could be forgiven for assuming the state is now on track to balance its budget. But a report out this week says the reforms don't do nearly enough to fix the state's budget gap. Two of the authors of the report join us to discuss their findings and the implications for the state.

Tio Hardiman joins us, along with his running mate, to talk about his run for Illinois governor. View a timeline of his career.

We revisit the story of Chicago artist Jason Seiler who scored the biggest commission of his career: a painting of Pope Francis for the cover of TIME magazine’s Person of the Year issue. View a slideshow of Seiler's artwork.

A street near Soldier Field honors a fallen World War II hero. Geoffrey Baer has that soldier's story, and he answers your questions in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Thousands of pages of secret church documents are released as part of a court settlement showing how the Archdiocese of Chicago moved predator priests from parish to parish for years, exposing children to abuse. We meet the attorneys for the victims who fought to get the documents opened to the public. Read the detailed documents.