Stories by WTTW News

We break down the state of the Illinois governor’s race and what's happening with pension reform in the state.

We revisit an inside look at the long-awaited Goodman Theatre production of The Jungle Book. Watch a web extra video and view a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about the recent CPS layoffs and Len Goodman, an attorney of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich who filed an appeal on his behalf on July 15, in tonight’s viewer feedback.

The Tall Ships Festival begins today at Navy Pier. Jay Shefsky spent 24 hours on the tall ship Lynx this week as it sailed to Chicago. On Thursday's show, Jay gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the Lynx. Today, we have Jay's web extra “video postcard” of dawn aboard a historic two-masted schooner. Watch the video.

Less than a week after medical marijuana became legal in Illinois, the first clinic opens in Chicago. But it's still going to be a while before patients get their prescriptions filled.  Eddie Arruza has the details.

In a whirlwind week for newspapers, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos plans to buy The Washington Post for $250 million, while Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry has purchased The Boston Globe from the New York Times Company. We discuss the future of the newspaper industry in light of the sales.

We speak with a former prosecutor with the Cook County State’s Attorney's juvenile division who says she was demoted for dropping charges in a “wilding” case in the Loop.

Alfonso and Margaret Iannelli were a husband and wife design team who worked with Frank Lloyd Wright and then struck out on their own. We revisit a conversation with Chicago cultural historian Tim Samuelson about this artistic power couple, and a show of their work at the Chicago Cultural Center. View a slideshow, read a book excerpt and watch a video.

We talk with Len Goodman, an attorney of imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who filed an appeal on his behalf on July 15. Read the full appeal.

This past weekend, 300,000 people turned out for the biggest Lollapalooza yet. For its ninth year, 130 bands played on eight stages in three days. The festival brought in more than $4 million in revenue for the city. Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot joins us to discuss some of the festival's highlights. Read an interview and view a slideshow.

We share what you had about the to say about the legalization of medical marijuana in Illinois and the city's budget shortfall 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 debate the ramifications of the Chicago Public Schools’ budget deficit, and whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett have credibility with the voters. Watch the web extra conversation.

Illinois is now the 20th state to allow medical marijuana. Gov. Pat Quinn signed House Bill 1 on Thursday, which legalizes the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Paris Schutz has the details.

In the heart of Chicago, shaded by the afternoon shadow of Michigan Avenue skyscrapers, watered by the mist of Buckingham Fountain wafting through the air, is a farm. The surprising site is one of many small, sustainable, organic farms that have been created and are run by Growing Power, an organization that teaches farming and entrepreneurial skills to kids in Cabrini Green, Altgeld Gardens, Roosevelt Square and other places around the city. We take a look inside. Read an interview with Monte Henige, CEO of Tru Fragrance, a fragrance development company that uses ingredients from Growing Power Chicago in their products.

Chicago Shakespeare’s production of The Comedy of Errors began a tour of 18 Chicago parks. We talk with Chicago Shakespeare’s Executive Director Criss Henderson and actress Lanise Antoine Shelley. Learn more about the program and view a map.

Gov. Pat Quinn responds to the lawsuit filed against him by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton. The two legislative leaders filed suit Tuesday challenging the governor's decision to withhold paychecks from lawmakers until they come up with a pension reform solution. Paris Schutz has the details. Read Quinn's statement.

Humboldt Park neighbors come together to get gangs off the street corner. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

We revisit a conversation with Curb Your Enthusiasm star Jeff Garlin about his new independent film Dealin’ with Idiots, a youth baseball comedy. Watch the film trailer and a web extra conversation with Garlin.

The CTA says it has saved $10 million this year, but it faces a host of other financial problems and the rollout of the new Ventra fare card system. Will fares go up? Paris Schutz has the latest.

Sen. Dick Durbin says the U.S. House of Representatives' bill to cut funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 80 percent would severely impact programs created to address ecological problems facing the Great Lakes. Programs to keep Asian carp out of the lakes would be slashed, among others. Elizabeth Brackett has the details. Read a fact sheet.

Chicago artist Leo Segedin, 86, is still painting about his childhood on the west side, and dancing into old age. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. View a slideshow of some of Segedin's favorite pieces, handpicked by the artist himself.

We share your thoughts about the fire marshal's proposal to change sprinkler code requirements in Illinois in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines. Check out our weekly roundup with links to all of our stories from this week.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists break down how Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel are responding to the CPS budget crisis. Watch the web extra conversation.

Did Illinois business leaders lobby ratings agencies to lower the state's bond rating? Paris Schutz has the latest details on a bizarre twist in the pension debate.