Stories by WTTW News

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists tackle education topics: the ISAT controversy, and why some teachers refused to administer the state-mandated test; the national spotlight shining on Fenger principal Elizabeth Dozier in Chicagoland; and the role Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s education policy could play in the next mayoral election. Watch the web extra video.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of Illinois' 2014 March Primary Elections. We’ve gathered information here about the growing Republican and Democrat fields, and some of the key issues in the races. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Early voting started March 3 and the general primary is on Tuesday, March 18. Candidate Forums: Wednesday, March 5: GOP Senate Forum: Doug Truax (Jim Oberweis declined our invitation to participate) Thursday, March 6: Lt. Governor Forum: Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, Jil Tracy, Evelyn Sanguinetti Monday, March 10: GOP Treasurer Forum: Tom Cross and Bob Grogan Thursday, March 13: GOP Governor Forum: Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford

Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ordinance in today's Chicago City Council meeting banning new petroleum coke facilities and blocking expansion of existing facilities. The ordinance is co-sponsored by Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and Ald. John Pope (10th). Elizabeth Brackett has the details on that, and other City Council news.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for Illinois Treasurer. You can read profiles of the candidates and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Tuesday, Oct. 21: Illinois Treasurer Forum

The majority of Chicago Public Schools students in 3rd-8th grade are taking the ISAT test this week, though parent groups who oppose the test say the number of students who have opted out of the test continues to rise. Elizabeth Brackett reports. Watch a web extra video interview with Sarah Chambers, a teacher at Saucedo Scholastic Academy.

The first wave of concealed carry licenses in Illinois are ready to be printed and sent to their new owners. Brandis Friedman has an update on the process.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for the U.S. Senate. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Wednesday, Oct. 22: U.S. Senate Candidate Forum

Sting talks to us about his riskiest project to date – writing the upcoming musical The Last Ship, inspired by the shipyard in his hometown of Wallsend, England. Read a blog, watch a web extra video, and view a photo gallery.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the Blackhawks/Penguins game at Soldier Field, the Chicagoland series debuting March 6 on CNN, and why late-night host Jimmy Fallon is taking a polar plunge in Lake Michigan. Watch the web extra video.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart are being sued for an alleged culture of brutality and violence at Cook County Jail. Paris Schutz has the details.

Mike Webster is a Republican running for Secretary of State against incumbent Jesse White.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy joins us to discuss the increased use of the so-called Hug-A-Thug interventions, whether the severe weather has played a role in Chicago’s declining crime rate, and the impact that the capture of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán may have on drugs and gangs in Chicago.

Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman joins us with a sneak peek at the 2014 season. Read more about the concert season.

The Civil War is remembered through art and literature that capture the American spirit on the Northern home front. We revisit a preview of The Newberry Library's exhibit, Home Front: Daily Life in the Civil War North. A book of the same title is a companion volume to the collaborative exhibition. Read an excerpt.

We share what you had to say about our conversation with Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire on the life and legacy of Harold Ramis and the skyrocketing pothole claims in the city when we read some of our viewer feedback.

The brutal winter has led to skyrocketing pothole claims in the city. What can residents do? And when will they be filled? Paris Schutz has the story. View the city's Pothole Tracker map to see where potholes have been patched in the last seven days.

A chunk of transportation history rests in the Chicago River. Geoffrey Baer talks trains and technology in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Writer, actor and director Harold Ramis died at the age of 69. Joining us to talk about his life and career are Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire. Watch a 1997 Wild Chicago clip featuring Ramis and host Will Klinger, and watch all of Ramis's appearances from WTTW's archives.

Who knew that the king of gothic cartoons came from Chicago? We visit an in-depth exhibit of Edward Gorey -- who influenced everyone from Maurice Sendak to Tim Burton -- at the Loyola University Museum of Art. View a slideshow of artwork.

Chicago actor, writer and director Harold Ramis died at age 69. Watch web extra video interviews with Ramis from WTTW's archives.

After more than a decade on the run, notorious drug kingpin Joaquín "el Chapo" Guzmán was captured by Mexican authorities on Saturday. We hear from the head of the Chicago Crime Commission on Guzmán's arrest, and the chances that he'll ever be brought to trial in Chicago where he was indicted in 2009 on numerous charges by federal authorities. View a timeline of Joaquín "el Chapo" Guzmán's criminal career.

Former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych is on the lam, wanted for his role in the mass murder of dozens of protestors in Kiev. We hear the latest about the unrest in Ukraine, and get a primer on its history and politics from Northwestern University history professor Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern.  

We share what you had to say about our conversation with ADHD Doesn't Exist author Dr. Richard Saul and the ruling to expedite same-sex marraige licenses when we read some of our viewer feedback.

More winter storms rock the Chicago area; the Republican candidates for governor debate in Springfield, while Gov. Pat Quinn refuses to debate Democratic opponent Tio Hardiman; the faculty at UIC stages a strike to demand higher wages; and Northwestern football players state their case to unionize to the National Labor Relations Board.