Arts & Entertainment

Lukas Verzbicas

He's one of the top high school runners in American history, and he hails from right here in the Chicago area. Ash-har Quraishi reports on the latest phenom in American distance running.

• More on the Story: Web article, videos & photos
• Chicago Tribune article

Chicago Business News

Chicago Business News

WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss Chicago's push to boost sagging tourism figures, new plans to renovate Navy Pier and other top business headlines.

• Chicago Business article on tourism push
• Chicago Tribune article on Navy Pier renovation
• Chicago Sun-Times article on McCormick Place unions
• Examiner article on West Nile Virus in Chicago
• The Wall Street Journal article on Kraft

Business

Illinois Budget Cuts

Gov. Pat Quinn whacks an additional $376 million from the state's budget, signing it hours before the deadline. Eddie Arruza and his panel examine whether the cuts to Medicaid and school spending are enough to help ease Illinois' fiscal crisis.

• More on the Story: Budget cuts breakdown
• Did the governor and the state lawmakers do the right thing by cutting the state's education budget by $269.4 million?
• More on the budget
• Shriver Center
• Illinois Policy Institute
• Chicago Sun-Times article
• Chicago News Cooperative article

Politics

Ethics Ordinance

Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduces new ethics reforms to Chicago's City Council. Paris Schutz has more on what it means for taxpayers.

• More on the Story: Ethics ordinance
• List of Currently Registered Lobbyists
• Mayor's Press Release: Taste of Chicago
• Chicago Tonight's Mayor Emanuel page

The Week in Review

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, former governor Rod Blagojevich is found guilty on 17 counts, including trying to sell President Obama's Senate seat. Mayor Rahm Emanuel says union work rule changes are needed -- or layoffs will come. Controversy continues over Alderman Ed Burke's security detail. Governor Quinn signs a workers compensation reform bill and tightens seat belt laws. Former first lady Lura Lynn Ryan dies with former governor Ryan out of prison and at her side. And in sports, the dismantling of the champion Blackhawks continues. The White Sox struggle to get back to .500 while the Cubs slump closer to baseball's worst record.

Guests:

• Paul Meincke, ABC 7 News
• Julie Unruh, WGN
• Bruce Dold, Chicago Tribune
• Jim Litke, Associated Press

More on the Story:

• More on the Story: Week in Review (6/27 -- 7/1)
• Weekend Events Around Town: 7/1 -- 7/4

Viewer Feedback

Viewer Mail

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail.

• Send Chicago Tonight your comments

Ask Geoffrey

Ask Geoffrey

Geoffrey Baer tells us about the man who amassed an impressive collection of artifacts, once housed in a private residence on Chicago's South Side, and where you can view it now, in tonight's Ask Geoffrey.

• Arms and Armor at the Art Institute of Chicago
• Paul Revere American Legion Post 623
• Smith Park
• Ask Geoffrey your own questions and watch previous segments online

Arts & Entertainment

The Wilder Life

Writer and Chicagoan Wendy McClure traveled the country to rediscover her favorite childhood series in her new book, The WILDER LIFE: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie.

• More on the Story: Read an excerpt
• More on the book
• More on the author
• More images from McClure's journey

Cultural Connections

Cultural Connections: Evanston History Center

Amelia Earhart is just one of many famous names on a quilt with ties to Evanston history. Eddie Arruza tells us about the "curious patchwork" of artifacts currently on display at the Evanston History Center.

• More on the Story: View a slideshow of the exhibit
• More on the exhibit
• Evanston History Center
• Watch more Cultural Connections online

Arts & Entertainment

Scott Stantis: Political Cartoons

We talk to the Chicago Tribune's political cartoonist Scott Stantis about covering the Blagojevich trial, and he gives us tips on how to draw the new mayor.

• Chicago Tribune cartoons
• Stantis' blog: Taking a Stantis
• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page