Stories by WTTW News

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan throws a curveball, asking voters to approve a possible 3 percent surcharge on millionaires to help pay for education. How does that play into a governor’s race that has already become about class warfare? Paris Schutz has the details on that, and how high-profile Democrats and Independents are coming out in support of Bruce Rauner. Read Newt Minow's endorsement of Rauner.

The Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state’s strict eavesdropping law that made audio recording anyone in public illegal without consent. The court ruled that the law "criminalizes a wide range of innocent conduct." We have analysis from Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. Read the court's opinion and watch Paris Schutz's 2011 story on the Eavesdropping Law.

We share what you had to say about our discussion on the pros and cons of legislative term limits and how they work and our conversation with Illinois House of Representatives' 39th District challenger Will Guzzardi when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Bruce Rauner has won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the November election. Carol Marin and a roundtable of top political reporters digest last night’s primary election results and look ahead at how the races are shaping up for November. View an interactive graphic of March Primary Election results.

Bruce Rauner has won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the November election. Check out the winners for key races in the March Primary Election.

We share what you had to say about our GOP Governor Forum when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Sen. Mark Kirk had strong words today in reaction to the latest news out of Ukraine. Paris Schutz has the details. Read President Obama's statement on Ukraine from this morning and watch a web extra video.

Carol Marin and her panel of guests break down the top races as the candidates make their final push before Tuesday’s March Primary election. Joining us are Chicago Tribune Editorial Page editor Bruce Dold, Chicago Sun-Times political reporter Natasha Korecki, and Crain’s Chicago Business political columnist Greg Hinz. Visit Chicago Tonight's 2014 March Primary Elections page for the latest stories, forums and videos.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at the process and history of dyeing the Chicago River green – a city tradition since 1962, and a family tradition since its inception. Meet the men who turn the river bright green each year in this story originally told by John Callaway on March 17, 2004.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists assess how serious Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is about challenging Rahm Emanuel for mayor in 2015. Watch the web extra video.

Watch web extra video clips of the Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates from the post-forum news conference.

The Republican candidates for Illinois governor join us for a special one-hour candidate forum, moderated by Phil Ponce. Joining us are Bill Brady, Dan Rutherford, Kirk Dillard and Bruce Rauner. View timelines of the candidates' political careers and a behind-the-scenes slideshow, and read a recap of our live chat.

A Cook County judge makes a surprise ruling that he says will end the Burge torture saga once and for all in Chicago. Paris Schutz has the latest.

We share what you had to say about our conversation with Illinois Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas and director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, about the number of state residents enrolled and the final month of the Affordable Care Act when we read some of our viewer feedback.

We share what you had to say about The Civic Federation's proposal to balance the state's budget by taxing retirees when we read some of our viewer feedback.

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.