It was a center of innovation and commerce for 32 years. And then it went dark, unused for another 32 years. The SC Johnson Research Tower recently opened to the public for the first time ever following a major restoration. We revisit Eddie Arruza’s story.

A Little-Remembered TV Moment from 1977 Blends Comedy and Tragedy

This skit is a reminder of how progressive Richard Pryor could be in pushing the boundaries of storytelling. It's also somewhat shocking by today's standards because of the provocative language used on network TV in the ‘70s.
We sit down with Chicago native Drew Sidora about her journey to becoming a leading lady and what’s next in her career. 
Meet a Chicago artist on a personal crusade to paint and preserve 200 rare native plants. Jay Shefsky has her story.
We revisit a story about a Chicago artist who has been painting since the 1940s and is just now getting his due.
Julia Collins is a 31-year-old business consultant from Wilmette, Ill. and won 20 games straight on the game show Jeopardy. This makes her the top female player in the game's 50-year history. We sit down with Collins to chat about the Jeopardy experience, her winnings, and her example of female achievement.   
Making the American Body author Jonathan Black gives us a look into the fitness industry and its impact on the American body consciousness.
The community-based agency Avenues to Independence is celebrating the reopening of its Thrift Shoppe, which serves as a job training center. We meet several families who have benefitted from the group’s work.
A food festival, a Star Trek convention, and a street art fair; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
The Chicago art scene of the 1960s was wildly imaginative. We talk to the director of a new film that gives the most complete look yet at the many artists who became known as the Imagists.     
Friday marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the massive Allied invasion of Nazi occupied Europe that turned the tide of World War II.  Everyday the number of veterans who took part in that historic event are diminishing. But we hear from one Chicago-area veteran who was among the first to storm the beaches of Normandy.
A street festival, a tribute show and a food truck show; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
Tarell Alvin McCraney, an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre, was the recipient of a $625,000 “genius grant” from the MacArthur Foundation this year. We revisit our conversation with him. Read an interview.
Poet and writer Maya Angelou died on May 28, at the age of 86 in her home in Winston-Salem, N.C. Read what local leaders and artists recall about her impact and presence on the world's stage. 
Geoffrey tracks down a missing fountain, a stockyards priest and mysterious sand dunes in tonight’s edition of "Ask Geoffrey."
 

Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors