Get up close and personal with technology at the Museum of Science and Industry; celebrate the men and women who served our country; and take a tour of future storm water reservoir. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Stories by Linda Qiu
Moody's Downgrades Chicago Schools and Parks
Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit ratings of both Chicago’s schools and parks, one day after its downgrade of the city’s debt to junk status.
Chicago's Credit Rating Downgraded to Junk Status
Moody’s downgraded the city of Chicago’s credit rating to junk status, leading Mayor Rahm Emanuel to call the credit rating agency “out of step” and its decision “irresponsible.”
Weekend Events Around Town: 5/8-5/10
Serenade the moon on the lagoon; drink up the suds at Soldier Field; and enjoy the sounds of a classical rock star. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Weekend Events Around Town: 5/1-5/3
Don your best derby hats for charity; go fly a kite with your kid; and laugh with Chicago's own Jeff Garlin. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Malcolm X College Grad Among Nepal Earthquake Victims
Marisa Eve Girawong, a graduate of Chicago’s Malcolm X College, died in an avalanche resulting from the massive earthquake that struck Mount Everest on Saturday. As the death toll continues to rise, a local medical group is raising money for its partner hospital, Nepal Orthopedic Hospital, in the country's capital of Kathmandu.
Weekend Events Around Town: 4/24-4/26
Nerd out at C2E2; dive into your pysche; and feast on artisan cheese and bread; Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
CPS CEO Takes Leave of Absence Amid Federal Probe
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has taken a leave of absence amidst a federal investigation into a no-bid contract awarded to a company that once employed her.
Weekend Events Around Town: 4/17-4/19
Watch a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic; tour the largest waterwaste plant on earth; and celebrate and feast on America's favorite cured meat. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Mayor Emanuel Names Second-Term Transition Team
Mayor Rahm Emanuel picked a transition team filled with familiar names, including Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool and businessman Michael Sacks.
Weekend Events Around Town: 4/10-4/12
Listen to Debussy sonatas played by a violin virtuoso; watch a hybrid jazz and Hindu temple dance; and sample Latin America’s cinematic offerings. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Runoff Election Day
It's Election Day in Chicago. Voters will decide the fate of the next mayor of Chicago, as well as cast their ballots for alderman in 18 wards.
Weekend Events Around Town: 4/3-4/5
Feast your eyes on flowers, real and painted; view intricate papercuts of iconic landscapes in Chicago and Beijing; and celebrate Easter by donning your best bunny ears or '70s garb. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Weekend Events Around Town: 3/27-3/29
Watch a mariachi opera set in 1910 Mexico; enjoy a musical set in 1950s Las Vegas; and kick off the running season in present day Grant Park. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Weekend Events Around Town: 3/20-3/22
Taste what Chicago has to offer; hear Chicago stories; and listen to the sounds of Chicago blues. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Lucas Museum Faces Legal Hurdles
The Force is not with George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Arts. A federal judge ruled today that a lawsuit intended to block construction of the museum on Chicago’s lakefront can move forward.
Weekend Events Around Town: 3/13-3/15
Celebrate Pi with pie at Adler Planetarium; stop and smell the roses at Navy Pier; and see a softer side of the Vikings at The Field Museum. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel Removes 50 Red Light Cameras
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday the removal of 50 red light cameras at 25 intersections where the number of crashes has fallen.
Preservation Chicago Names 7 Endangered Buildings
Preservation Chicago released today its annual list of seven buildings in Chicago that may be in danger of demolition, and one of them isn’t a building.
"Atchison Blue"
Former WTTW reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist Judy Valente first visited Mount St. Scholastica monastery to lead a retreat for busy professionals. She kept returning to the monastery in Atchison, Kansas as a student. She shares her journey of spiritual healing in her new book, Atchison Blue. Read an excerpt.
Will Iran & U.S. Break Diplomatic Impasse?
Though the historical handshake between President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani didn’t happen at the United Nations luncheon today, there’s already speculation another opportunity may be on its way, and relations between the two countries could continue to thaw. We talk with Middle Eastern political expert, Marvin Zonis. View a timeline of U.S. and Iranian diplomatic relations.
Farm Sanctuary
The horrors of the meatpacking industry are well-documented in history but the current state of meat production may be equally as grim. We talk with the “conscience of the food movement,” vegan activist Gene Baur. See before-and-after photos and read stories of Farm Sanctuary’s successful rescues.
Jackson Jr.'s Items Up for Auction
Jesse Jackson Jr.'s stash could become your treasure. Thirtheen luxury items onced owned by the former congressman are going up for auction online.
"10 Billion"
More than 7 billion people inhabit the earth today, consuming huge amounts of natural resources and altering the face of our planet. When we exceed the current global population, then what? Author Stephen Emmott joins us to discuss his new book, 10 Billion. View graphics of global natural resource consumption.
Childhood Obesity
One in 20 U.S. children are severely obese, and the numbers are rising while treatment remains limited. What does this newly defined class risk mean? A panel of medical experts joins us to discuss.
