Stories by Amanda Vinicky
State of the State Preview: Bipartisan and Blows
| Amanda Vinicky
Even as Gov. Bruce Rauner is expected to call for bipartisanship Wednesday, a source with knowledge of the speech says he will call for legislation that takes direct aim at House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Viewer Feedback: ‘We Must Develop Public Transportation’
| Jay Smith
Our story about so-called “congestion pricing” has a lot of you talking. We read comments from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
$107 Billion Borrowing Plan Could Save State Pensions
| Paris Schutz
Lawmakers consider a radical new proposal to solve the state’s massive pension crisis. Why they think it’s the best way to go.
The Amazon Race: What HQ2 Win Would Mean for Chicago
| Andrea Guthmann
Chicago may be on Amazon’s top 20 list, but what will it take to win it all – and at what cost?
Rare Triple Lunar Treat Includes Eclipse, Blood Moon
| Eddie Arruza
If the skies over Chicago cooperate over the next 12 hours, the moon will offer a very rare triple feature.
Chinese Scientists Cloned Monkeys. Are Humans Next?
| Evan Garcia
China’s landmark cloning of primates has some worried it sets a dangerous precedent. We discuss the breakthrough – and what it could mean for the future of cloning.
Duerson Act Debate: Who Should Decide on Tackle Football for Kids?
| Erica Gunderson
Former pro football players are joining the effort to ban tackling in youth football. We talk pros and cons of the newly introduced Duerson Act.
Sue the T. Rex Begins Move Upstairs Next Week at Field Museum
| Alex Ruppenthal
The Field Museum’s famous dinosaur will be moved to the second floor as part of a planned makeover, and to make room for the eventual installation of a touchable cast of the largest dinosaur ever discovered.
Education Equity Group Calls for Community Referendum on NTA Transition Plan
| Matt Masterson
A local group focused on ending racial and class-based school segregation is asking the Chicago Board of Education to review alternative proposals to CPS’ plan to transform a high-performing Near South Side elementary into a high school.
Risk of Getting the Flu Remains High in Chicago
| Kristen Thometz
City health officials remind residents it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine. “This is a serious year,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita.
CTU Members Approve Merger With Charter School Teachers Union
| Matt Masterson
More than two-thirds of CTU voting members cast ballots in favor of merging with the Chicago Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff. “We've embraced our common struggle to support our workers, our students, their parents and our neighborhoods,” CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey said.
Rauner, Ives Get Heated in Only Primary Matchup
| Amanda Vinicky
The Republican candidates for governor squared off Monday for the first, and potentially only, time.
The Mirage Tavern: Remembering the Undercover Series 40 Years Later
| Evan Garcia
A phony tavern in 1970s Chicago exposed the city’s widespread corruption. We revisit the groundbreaking Chicago Sun-Times series with two of the journalists behind it.
Block Museum Explores William Blake’s Influence on the Age of Aquarius
| Marc Vitali
A who’s who of great artists and writers of the 20th century was influenced by one who died in semi-obscurity nearly 200 years ago. We take another look at “William Blake and the Age of Aquarius.”
Outcome Health Patches Up Feud with Investors
| WTTW News
High-flying Chicago tech startup Outcome Health came crashing to Earth last year with investors. We get the latest from John Pletz, senior reporter at Crain’s Chicago Business.
2018 Academy Awards: A More Inclusive Age of the Oscars?
| Erica Gunderson
This year’s Oscar picks for best picture are an unusually mixed bag of genres, including the comedy-horror film “Get Out.” Two film critics weigh in on this year’s nominees.
Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight
| Kristen Thometz
For first time since the height of the Cold War, the hands of the Doomsday Clock, a symbolic indicator of how close we are to a global catastrophe, have been moved to 11:58 p.m. This is the closest the clock has been to midnight since 1953.
Teen Smoking Rate Drops to Historic Low in 2017, City Says
| Kristen Thometz
Fewer Chicago teens are smoking cigarettes, according to city data. But the mayor and city health officials want to reach a “tobacco-free generation,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Morita.
Chicago ‘Not Well-Placed’ for Super Blue Blood Moon
| Alex Ruppenthal
Wednesday’s “super blue blood moon” marks the convergence of three lunar events, but it will hardly be visible to viewers in Chicago.
Police: Burglars Disguised as Utility Workers Robbing South Side Homes
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department is warning South and Near South Side residents of a string of burglaries after men apparently posing as utility workers broke into multiple homes over the past month.
Judge Says Illinois Should Approve ComEd’s Bronzeville Microgrid
| Alex Ruppenthal
ComEd should be allowed to proceed with plans to build a first-of-its-kind microgrid in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, a state legal authority said this week. But environmental and consumer advocates aren't satisfied with the project.
The Week in Review: Sessions Threatens Chicago, Emanuel Fires Back
| WTTW News
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatens Chicago and other sanctuary cities. Meanwhile, Illinois politicians are front and center on the immigration debate. And Janice Jackson officially becomes CPS’s CEO. Eddie Arruza and guests discuss these stories and more.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Chicago Women’s March
| WTTW News
Eddie Arruza and guests Heather Cherone, Steve Daniels, Tahman Bradley and Amanda Vinicky talk about the Chicago Women’s March to the Polls.
Competition in Congress: A Primary Preview
| Amanda Vinicky
Who will take U.S. Rep. Luis Guiterrez’s place in Washington? A preview of that highly competitive contest and others coming up next month.
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