Stories by WTTW News

No more pencils, but plenty of books. With summer underway and the holiday weekend ahead, we revisit our discussion of hot reads for the season with our literary panel.

July 1 was V-Day in Chicago. Ventra is the only pre-paid fare system for all CTA buses and trains. We'll tell you what riders think of Ventra more than six months after its botched rollout.

CPS officials say they will close a massive budget gap this year with an accounting change that will result in a $650 million windfall. Paris Schutz has more on how that works and reaction from the teacher’s union.

We talk with the attorney representing the group fighting to change Illinois’ self-serving remapping process. 

Data-collecting sensors in the "Array of Things" project are set to go up on city lamp posts by mid-July. But some tech insiders are questioning the amount of data to be stored and whether or not personal privacy is a concern.

The Goodman Theatre stages a beloved American musical that hasn't had a major revival in more than 30 years.

Geoffrey Baer answers the questions of six viewers who wonder what's up with weird objects in and around Chicago.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard is stepping down early from the position he’s held since 1993 in order to become the new RTA chairman. We talk to him about the transition and goals for the transit agency.

Now into summer, Chicago weather continues to fluctuate between sun, fog, and storms. WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skiling joins us with why summer has gotten off to a foggy start. Send us your severe weather photos here and we'll use them in our online slideshow.

The Common Core State Standards set expectations for what children should know and learn. Originally adopted by 47 states including Illinois, major pushback against the standards has now developed.

The Supreme Court hands down the last of the 2013-2014 session decisions. We hear from Constitutional experts and former Supreme Court clerks about the rulings.

A new state budget that both Republicans and Democrats say is out of whack goes into effect tomorrow, with a few new wrinkles. Paris Schutz has latest. 

So what exactly would be wrong with building the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in a parking lot between Soldier Field and McCormick Place? 

The great surrealist Rene Magritte gets an exhibition at the Art Institute that delves into the early part of his career, when he evolved as an artist and created many of the dream-like paintings that came to identify his signature style.

We dive into recent headlines surrounding Chicago Public Schools.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the next mayoral election in the web extra video.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines.

We take a look at some of the Supreme Court rulings so far during this session, and preview what cases are to come.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. reflects on the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Chicago is the only U.S. stop on the eight city worldwide triathlon circuit this weekend.

No more pencils, but plenty of books. As we gear up for summer, we discuss some of the hot reads for the season with our literary panel.

Dave Dorman was an 18-year-old  with a love for comic book illustration when he walked into a movie theater and saw “Star Wars” for the first time in 1977. He identified strongly with Luke Skywalker and never dreamed the movie’s director, George Lucas, would eventually own his art. But fate would lead Lucas to Dorman and his art.

One day after George Lucas announced that Chicago will be home to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts, controversy erupts over its proposed location. Eddie Arruza has the details. 

It's official. Chicago will be home to the Lucas Museum. We talk next steps and initial plans with our panel.

We talk with outgoing Chicago Public Schools inspector general James Sullivan about his 12 years looking for waste and fraud at CPS.