Stories by WTTW News

We are now in day three of a federal government shutdown. We take a look at what it will take to get things up and running again.

Earlier this week, Phil Ponce spoke with financial analyst Terry Savage and economics professor Edward Stuart about the government shutdown. It was a lively conversation and it brought in a lot of reaction. We share what some of you had to say in tonight's viewer feedback.

Best-selling author Tom Clancy died at age 66. Back in 2002, Elizabeth Brackett interviewed Clancy on an episode of Chicago Tonight. Watch the web extra video from our archives.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and local leaders are scrambling to make a deal to privatize Chicago’s ports. Paris Schutz has the story.

Why did beautiful bronze reliefs at a Hyde Park church create an artistic controversy? Geoffrey Baer answers this question and more in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

It's day one of the government shutdown. We assess the local impact.

Just how serious is the government shutdown? Federal employees missing paychecks will feel it, but what about the economy as a whole? And who is really to blame? We have analysis.

He was a polarizing and enigmatic president, not unlike the man who would succeed him 100 years later. We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning author of a new biography of President Woodrow Wilson.

With the government hours away from a possible shutdown, we take a look at the impact on Chicago. Paris Schutz has the details.

James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the turnovers and shoddy tackling that led to the Bears' first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions. Watch a web extra video.

A book called Picturing Illinois takes a look back in time through Chicago history using picture postcards. We revisit a conversation with the book's authors. View a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about sand mining near a state park and the state of the economy 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 possibility of an African American candidate running against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the prospect of ADM moving to Chicago. Watch the web extra video.

Illinois lawmakers must be paid, a Cook County judge ruled on Thursday, in response to Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to suspend lawmakers' salaries because of their failure to solve the state's pension crisis. Judge Neil Cohen ruled the move to withhold pay unconstitutional. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney gives us the details. Read the full order, along with statements from Quinn and Cullerton.

We share what you had to say about violence in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build or expand Chicago schools, and tougher Illinois gun laws in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Will the Cornell Square Park shooting be the catalyst for Springfield to toughen Illinois gun laws? Paris Schutz has the latest on what Mayor Rahm Emanuel had to say.

Four suspects are in custody for the mass shooting in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Paris Schutz has the latest.

We take a closer look at what happened the night of the Back of the Yards mass park shooting, and examine Chicago's persistent violence, with Felicia Davis, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's deputy chief of staff, and Chicago Tribune reporter Peter Nickeas.

Just months after closing 47 Chicago schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build or expand other schools has drawn fresh outrage from teachers and parents. Phil Ponce talks with Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz about the issue.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice brought the Prairie School of Architecture to Europe. We take a look at the innovations of architect Barry Byrne with Vincent Michael, the author of The Architecture of Barry Byrne. Read a book excerpt and view a slideshow.

All eyes are on the U.S. Senate as a potential government shutdown looms. Paris Schutz has more on what Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois members of Congress are planning to do.

Police are questioning people of interest in the shooting rampage that left 13 people injured in a south side park. We have the latest on what's become another Chicago violence story making international headlines.

The Bears pound Pittsburgh in primetime to remain undefeated. James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his weekly post-game analysis. Watch a web extra video.