Stories by WTTW News
Classic Chinese Fable Comes to Life
“The White Snake” chronicles the tale of a gentle serpent spirit who transforms herself one day into a beautiful young woman and travels down to the world of humans. So begins Mary Zimmerman’s interpretation of the classic Chinese fable into a spectacular Goodman Theatre production. See a slideshow from the play.
Diners Discuss Chicago's Future
Chicago Tonight Takes Part in New Community Initiative
Elizabeth Brackett, Eddie Arruza and Brandis Friedman participated in the Chicago Community Trust initiative called On the Table. Last night they hosted three dinner-and-discussion forums.
Karen Lewis Weighs In on Rahm's Re-election, More
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis discusses her opposition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election, who she would like to see run against him, the union’s proposal for a new tax on financial transactions and much more.
Durbin Proposal Tackles Student Loans
As student loan debt spirals out of control, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin pushes legislation to lower interest rates and save individual borrowers thousands.
New $14.5M Farm Purchase Raises Eyebrows
Cook County Forest Preserve Acquisition Largest in 45 years
The Cook County Forest Preserve District makes its biggest land purchase in nearly 50 years snapping up a foreclosed 400 acre horse farm in Barrington Hills. We look at how the Forest Preserve was able to afford the $14.5 million property and what it might become.
James 'Big Cat' Williams Talks NFL Draft
Former Bear Breaks Down This Year's Draft
Coming off the worst defensive season in Chicago Bears history, it's no surprise General Manager Phil Emery used this year's draft to beef up the team's defense. Read an interview with the Bears new signee and former Northern Illinois University quarterback, Jordan Lynch.
Viewer Feedback 5/12
Crain's Corner: Web Do-it-Yourself Eye Exams Coming Soon
We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.
Web Extra: The Week in Review: 5/9
Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 5/9
On this edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Joel Weisman and his guest discuss this week's headlines.
Islamic Groups Denounce Nigerian Abductions
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) and the Nigerian Islamic Association decry the kidnappings and violence in Nigeria. They also distance themselves from Boko Haram, saying the terrorist group is extremist, but not Islamic. The U.K. have also joined the international effort to rescue the girls.
Chicago's Human Trafficking
As the nation rallies together to bring back the girls abducted in Nigeria, nearly 25,000 women and girls fall victim to trafficking in Chicago every year. Tonight, we address Chicago’s human trafficking problems, possible solutions.
Crain's Corner
Web Do-it-Yourself Eye Exams Coming Soon
Do-it-yourself online eye exams could transform the world of optometry. We talk to a Crain’s Chicago Business reporter about a local start-up that has just scored $1 million in seed money to make it happen.
Sayonara ‘Sausage Superstore’
Hot Doug’s to Close in October
Iconic gourmet hot dog spot Hot Doug’s, known for its exotic hot dogs and sausages as well as its duck fat fries, is closing. Hot Doug’s owner Doug Sohn tears himself away from the counter to tell us about his decision to close the “sausage superstore.”
Sacred Artist
As a Muslim girl growing up in Turkey, Meltem Aktas wasn’t planning to make a career of Christian art. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of the sacred artist. View a slideshow of her work.
Celebrating Studs Terkel
Three-Day Festival to Honor His Life, Work
The University of Chicago and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts will host Let’s Get Working, a three-day festival honoring the life and work of Chicago icon and University of Chicago alum Studs Terkel.
Viewer Feedback: 5/8
Crain's Corner: Smartphone App Rollout to Pay Parking Meter Looms
We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.
Illinois Gubernatorial Election 2014
Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of Illinois' 2014 Gubernatorial Election. We’ve gathered information here about the final candidates, Democrat Pat Quinn, Republican Bruce Rauner, and Libertarian Chad Grimm.
City v. Park Grill Case Advances
The City of Chicago's lawsuit against the Chicago Park District and the owners of the Park Grill in Millennium Park is in its second week in the Daley Center. Check in for the latest developments.
Race for Governor Heats Up
We’re at the six-month mark to the General Election. The gubernatorial race heats up as both Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican candidate Bruce Rauner come under scrutiny. We take a look at that and more.
Crain's Corner
Tech Stock Drama
The volatility of tech stocks are apparent today with an 18 percent plummet for Groupon as it moves from email-based business to a marketplace setting. Twitter also took a 20 percent hit this week. But analysts are buzzing about Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, some say it could have the largest initial public offering in tech history.
Prairie Perennials Inspire Home Gardens
New Book Highlights Lessons Learned from the Lurie Garden
We talk to the author of a new book, “Gardening with Perennials,” about lessons local gardeners can learn from Chicago’s Lurie Garden. This unique Millennium Park garden pays homage to Chicago's transformation from flat marshland to innovative green city.
Quinn Initiative Faces Another Blow
Yet another probe into Gov. Pat Quinn's troubled $55 million anti-violence initiative, as a GOP lawmaker seeks to get subpoena power over the program started by Quinn in 2010. Read the original State's Auditor General report. Watch web extra videos.
Shift on Public Prayer
The Supreme Court's decision on May 5 upheld the right to public prayer in civic settings. Does the close 5-4 vote indicate a new tilt toward conservatism? Is the decision an expansion of rights for communities?
Crain's Corner
Smartphone App Rollout to Pay Parking Meter Looms
Chicago is expanding its pay-by-smartphone app to pay parking meters. The plan is to have the service for all Chicago parking meters by summer's end.
Rowing Upstream
Chicago Training Center Teaching Students to Row
In communities where sports like basketball and soccer are king, a team of Chicago teens is, literally, rowing upstream through the sport of competitive rowing. We look at how the Chicago Training Center is teaching students more than just physical fitness.
Scientific Chicago with Rabiah Mayas
Advancements in robotics technology are changing the fields of medicine, defense, and manufacturing. We talk with Rabiah Mayas about that and more.
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Obama Presidential Center to Soon Release More Museum Tickets for September Through January
Not Waiting for Dems, State Rep. Ugaste Proposes New Bears Bill
Matt Brewer, Former Chicago Housing Authority Board Chair, Joins Mayoral Race
Trump Abruptly Cancels Signing a Bipartisan Housing Bill, Blindsiding Republicans
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