Stories by Kristen Thometz

Drivers in Illinois will soon be allowed to pass cyclists in no-passing zones, and bicycling on the shoulder of the road will also be legal. Learn more.

Despite ongoing funding issues and declining enrollment, students at Chicago Public Schools graduated last year at the district’s highest rate on record, with more students earning a diploma than in each of the past six years.

In addition to luscious food pics and contoured abs, users of the popular photo-sharing app can find a bevy of advertisements for plastic surgery. But a new study finds that many providers are not board-certified plastic surgeons. And that, they say, is an issue.

Despite more than 5,000 public comments opposing the permit, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources this week approved an application for the controversial oil-drilling practice.

The Chicago-born recording artist said money raised through the New Chance Arts & Literature Fund will be split among nearly two dozen Chicago schools to help boost arts programming and facilities.

New technologies that could change the way we live and work will be on display this month during a reality TV-inspired competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Everyone who has been touched by cancer has a story to tell. Through Brushes with Cancer, artists find inspiration from those stories to create reflective works of art.

Chicago’s iconic T. rex Sue will get a makeover when the largest dinosaur ever discovered comes to town. Stretching 122 feet from snout to tail, the titanosaur is longer than two accordion CTA buses end to end.

To counter the divisiveness of President Trump’s proposed border wall, artist and Pussyhat Project co-founder Jayna Zweiman is seeking the public’s help to create 2,000 miles of welcome blankets to give to new immigrants.

Springfield finally passes a school funding bill. More taxes for Chicago schools. City Council cracks down on Uber and Lift. And the Bears get ready for regular season opener.

At long last, Illinois has tossed its old method of funding schools in exchange for a formula that aims to send more state money to the poorer districts that need it most.

Chicago’s top cop, 57, was already feeling well enough to check a few emails just hours after his surgery, doctors Rush University Medical Center said.

Watch the Aug. 31, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Summer days are drawing to an end, but gardeners looking to maximize the growing season have some options for planting, even as they harvest other crops.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan sues for federal oversight of Chicago police reform—with the city’s blessing. We discuss the lawsuit.

The veteran actors join us to discuss a new show opening Sept. 7 at Steppenwolf Theatre.

Emma Goldman was an anarchist, feminist and freethinker at a time when just talking about birth control was enough to get you imprisoned.

Northwestern University students spent more than a year designing and building a fully solar-powered home that will soon be part of an international competition organized by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Chicago Sun-Times sports columnist, a former college football player, joins Carol Marin to discuss football safety, concussions and his recent decision to donate his brain to science.

Construction management teams bidding for a leading role in the Obama Presidential Center must commit to specific diversity and inclusion goals, the Obama Foundation announced Thursday.

Curators and students at Columbia College Chicago have devised a way to get viewers to reimagine the meaning of a photograph.

Days after state legislators approved a historic education funding reform bill, Illinois has now received a green light to begin implementing another new system to keep school districts accountable.

Watch the Aug. 30, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The Illinois House Republican leader speaks with Carol Marin about the school funding compromise and other battles in Springfield.

Exactly how much more money can Chicago homeowners expect to pay to fund Chicago teacher pensions?

Two of Chicago’s most celebrated guitar players join us in conversation and performance.