Stories by WTTW News

What’s wrong with this picture of an old firehouse on Lake Street near Kedzie? Look closely at how the word “Department” is spelled. Geoffrey Baer is on a hunt for more misspelled signs in the Chicago area for an upcoming edition of Ask Geoffrey. If you know of one, please share the information here.

A huge lake freighter pulls up to storage facility along the Calumet River, poised to haul away piles of the controversial petroleum byproduct called "petcoke."  Elizabeth Brackett has the latest details.

Is a new City Council office the answer to curing the city's financial woes or just another layer of bureaucracy? Paris Schutz has the story.

The Bears are tied again for first place in the NFC North. James “Big Cat” Williams breaks down their latest win over the Cowboys, including Josh McCown’s stellar performance, and the receiving corps’ outstanding effort. Watch a web extra video.

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama leave on Air Force One to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandela Tuesday as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan recalls her year in South Africa while Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Watch web extra videos about the anti-apartheid icon from WTTW's archives.

We share what you had to say about Chicago Tonight's Ventra Special in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Watch the web extra video.

Nelson Mandela died at age 95. Watch web extra videos about the anti-apartheid icon from WTTW's archives.

On a special edition of Chicago Tonight with a live studio audience, we take a close look at the CTA’s problem-plagued rollout of its new Ventra payment system.

Pension reform passed the Illinois House and Senate today. Read official statements from politicians and policy institutes.

The Illinois House passes pension reform by 62-53-1. View an interactive vote graphic to see how each member voted.

The Illinois Senate passes pension reform by 30-24-3. View an interactive vote graphic to see how each member voted.

The pension reform bill passes both the Illinois House and Senate. Carol Marin and Paris Schutz join us live from Springfield with the details. View interactive graphics to see how Senate and House members voted on the bill.

In his newest WTTW special, Geoffrey Baer takes a real time machine to places all over Chicago and looks through it to see things that are now long gone. Geoffrey joins us Tuesday just minutes before the debut of the program to give us a sneak peek. Watch a video preview.

James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the Bears' overtime loss to the Vikings, and coach Marc Trestman’s controversial call to attempt a field goal on second down. Watch a web extra video.

Have Illinois leaders, at long last, come to a pension deal? Will it pass? Paris Schutz has the story.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin joins us to talk about her latest epic biography on the presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft that brought radical change to America. Read a book excerpt.

Today is the first day to file petitions to run in Illinois' 2014 elections. Carol Marin and her guests check in on the governor's race and the other primaries.

Author James Swanson discusses his new book - End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy - chronicling the fateful day 50 years ago in Dallas, Texas. Read an excerpt.

More than 2 million Illinois residents had their food stamp benefits cut this month. We talk with some DuPage County residents struggling to put food on the table.

The Bears fall to 6-5 after an ugly, penalty-plagued loss in St. Louis. James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the shoddy run defense and Josh McCown’s third start this season. Watch a web extra video.

We share what you had to say about Chicago Tonight's American Graduate Special in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists share some thoughts and reflections on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Watch the web extra video.