Stories by WTTW News
New Guide Helps Identify Native Trees, Shrubs for Your Garden
| Paul Caine
Why native trees and plants not only look good but are better for local wildlife and the environment. A discussion with author Charlotte Adelman.
Trump to Sign Sanctions Against Russia ‘Soon’
| Nick Blumberg
Vladimir Putin orders hundreds of U.S. diplomats out of the country as tensions escalate with Russia.
A Fresh Look at the Colossal Photography Archive at Columbia College
| Marc Vitali
Curators and students at Columbia College Chicago have devised a way to get viewers to reimagine the meaning of a photograph.
Ordinance Aims to Punish Parents of Gun-Toting Kids
| Alexandra Silets
Should parents be held responsible if they know their kids have guns? We speak to Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) about a new ordinance.
Art Conservation Expert Does Museum Work for Free
| Jay Shefsky
Art conservation can cost thousands of dollars. Meet one man who’s dedicated to restoring works of art pro bono.
Broccoli, Kale Could Slow Cognitive Decline, Study Finds
| Kristen Thometz
Your mother was right to tell you to eat your broccoli. Eating nutrient-rich foods like broccoli, spinach and kale could slow age-related cognitive decline, according to a new study.
Rauner Issues Amendatory Veto of Education Funding Bill
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner made generous use of his veto pen to redline money for Chicago Public Schools and to make other sweeping changes to a major revamp of education funding.
2 Plains Zebras Debut at Lincoln Park Zoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
The young males belong to a highly social zebra species and will eventually share a habitat with the zoo’s giraffes.
PolitiFact Rates Rauner’s SB1 ‘Bailout’ Claim as False
| Matt Masterson
Just before Gov. Bruce Rauner issued a long-anticipated amendatory veto of an education funding reform bill in Springfield, top political fact-checkers cast doubt on one of the governor’s biggest criticisms of the legislation.
Governor Gets Education Funding Bill, But Schools’ Future Remains Hazy
| Amanda Vinicky
The future of school funding is now in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s hands, after Democrats finally sent him legislation he’s made a show of demanding they release. Now the question is what Rauner will do with it.
Mayor Declines to Say Whether He’ll Reappoint Police Board President
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Police Board could be without a president Tuesday. The term of current President Lori Lightfoot expired Monday.
The Future of Health Care After Republicans Fail to Repeal and Replace
| Alexandra Silets
A bipartisan coalition of 43 House members, including three from Illinois, said Monday they’ve come up with a compromise plan to stabilize the health care market. What happens next?
City Forecasts Smallest Budget Gap in a Decade
| Paris Schutz
Preliminary numbers released Monday show that the city’s financial picture is improving. But is the news all good?
Illinois State Fair to Auction Off $100,000 in Unclaimed Property
| Eddie Arruza
The nine-day event has something for everyone, including an attraction that’s been found to lure folks to the fair who might not otherwise go: an auction of unclaimed property.
Viewer Feedback: ‘The Chicago Public School System Is a Failure’
| WTTW News
We hear from you about the the school funding debate in Springfield.
Book Inspires Young People to Create ‘No Small Plans’ For Chicago
| Nick Blumberg
A new graphic novel wants to empower Chicago teenagers to push for the city they deserve. Meet one of the teens who created the book.
Red Cross Facing ‘Critical’ Blood Shortage
| Kristen Thometz
“Blood donations are being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in, which could lead to delays in patient care,” said Laurie Nehring of the American Red Cross. “We are doing everything we can to prevent that from happening.”
Toxic Metals Study Examines Kids’ Toenails on Chicago’s Southeast Side
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago researchers are looking for lead, manganese and other metals that could affect lung function in children with asthma.
Durbin to CDC: Investigate Manganese Risks on Chicago’s Southeast Side
| Alex Ruppenthal
The Illinois senator is calling on federal environmental and public health regulators to conduct a new assessment of toxic pollutants in one of the city’s most industrialized areas.
Pest Spotted in the WTTW Garden
| Kristen Thometz
We’re not the only ones enjoying the tomatoes. The Organic Gardener Jeanne Nolan shares her advice on how to rid our garden of a cute – yet pesky chipmunk.
New Study Has ‘Strong’ Praise for Illinois Education Accountability Plan
| Matt Masterson
Illinois was praised for the clarity of its four-tier school ranking system and its focus on student growth, which makes up half of the weight behind a school’s annual rating in the proposed system.
Cook County Judge Tosses Soda Tax Lawsuit
| Paris Schutz
The Cook County penny-per-ounce sugary beverage tax is back, pending an appeal. Friday, Cook County Judge Daniel Kubasiak granted a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that the law did not violate the Illinois Constitution.
The Week in Review: School Spending Showdown
| Alexandra Silets
Despite Gov. Bruce Rauner’s demands that the school spending bill be sent to him this week, Democrats say they’ll give it to him on Monday. In Chicago, officials are expanding gunshot detecting technology to more high-crime areas.
Historical Happy Hour: A Toast to the Everleigh Sisters
| Erica Gunderson
We raise a glass to a pair of sisters who made a fortune as brothel owners in the City of Big Shoulders with a ladylike drink.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Obama Presidential Center to Soon Release More Museum Tickets for September Through January
Not Waiting for Dems, State Rep. Ugaste Proposes New Bears Bill
Steel Slag Meets Prairie at Chicago’s Marian Byrnes Park, See This Natural Wonder in an Unnatural Setting
Matt Brewer, Former Chicago Housing Authority Board Chair, Joins Mayoral Race
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter