Stories by Nick Blumberg
State Lawmakers Pass Nuclear Plant ‘Bailout’
| Nick Blumberg
After a long debate, a last-minute push to bail out two downstate nuclear plants passed the Illinois General Assembly late Thursday at the tail end of the veto session.
Rauner Vetoes CPS Pension Bill, Illinois Senate Responds in Kind
| WTTW News
Gov. Bruce Rauner strikes down a bill for Chicago Public Schools teacher pensions and the Illinois House strikes back. The latest from Springfield.
Trump’s Business Entanglements Create Ethics Concerns
| Paul Caine
How President-elect Donald Trump’s global business empire could create potential conflicts of interest.
Rauner Vetoes $215 Million CPS Pension Funding
| Matt Masterson
Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation that would have provided Chicago Public Schools with $215 million in pension relief funding, blowing a massive hole in the district’s 2017 budget.
Tong’s Trains: The Surprising Backstory of a WTTW Favorite Lunch Spot
| Jay Shefsky
Growing up with a Chinese restaurant on the first floor, an extended family upstairs and a killer train set in the basement. The story behind our neighborhood Chinese lunch place.
Teenage Binge Drinking Can Affect Future Children, Study Says
| Kristen Thometz
Binge drinking as a teen could affect the brain function of your future children, according to a recent Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study.
Mother Inspires Hope, Raises Awareness of Rare Infant Seizure Disorder
| Kristen Thometz
Only 2,500 children are diagnosed with infantile spasms in the U.S. each year. Meet one family that is sharing their story to raise awareness of the uncommon disorder.
Cook County Demolishing Some Older Jail Buildings
| Alexandra Silets
With a two-year decline in jail population, Cook County is demolishing some older jail buildings that once housed inmates.
November 30, 2016 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Nov. 30, 2106 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
Giant Transit TIF Unanimously Passes City Council
| Paris Schutz
Why the City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to create a massive TIF district to fund the CTA.
Sean McKeough, Co-Founder of Riot Fest, Dies at 42
| Reuben Unrau
“His drive and passion really laid the groundwork for an environment for this culture to thrive,” said Louie Mendicino, Sean McKeough’s friend of 10 years. “He created a space for people to cultivate their art.”
CTU President Karen Lewis Calls for Fewer Charters, More Revenue
| Matt Masterson
With labor negotiations finished and a new contract finalized, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis is now calling for an end to the “explosion” of charter school chain growth.
Budget Standoff Stiffens as General Assembly Nears End of Session
| Evan Garcia
The budget standoff is not over as the General Assembly’s fall session draws nearer to a close and to a possible doomsday scenario.
Ask Geoffrey: Where Does Chicago’s Water Go?
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer dives into the history of Chicago’s water and answers viewer questions about ghostly paper images haunting a South Side neighborhood and memories of a space-themed park.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 1-4
| Rebecca Palmore
Holiday markets, an enormous motorcycle parade, World AIDS Day, Cuban rhythms and more usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Inspector General: Chicago Restaurants Falling Behind on Health Inspections
| Evan Garcia
More than half of Chicago’s high-risk food establishments, which mainly include restaurants, were not inspected as frequently as required by city law in 2015, according to a report released Tuesday.
November 29, 2016 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Nov. 29, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
The Future of HIV/AIDS: Treatment, Prevention 35 Years Later
| Alexandra Silets
A look at some breakthrough treatments for HIV and AIDS and a landmark clinical trial for a vaccine ahead of World AIDS Day.
Fashion Studies Overhaul Draws Ire of Students, Faculty at Columbia
| Matt Masterson
A proposed overhaul of the fashion studies curriculum at Columbia College Chicago has upset some students and part-time faculty, who’ve criticized what they see as a move away from strictly manufacturing and design courses toward a more marketing- and business-focused program.
O’Hare Workers Go On Strike
| Paris Schutz
Hundreds of airport workers on Tuesday took to the picket lines around terminals 2 and 3 to protest for higher wages and better work conditions.
City Extends Deadline for Property Tax Rebate Program
| Reuben Unrau
The deadline for Chicago homeowners to apply for a property tax rebate has been extended to the end of the year, city officials announced Monday.
Controversial Energy Bill Gaining Support
| Paul Caine
The so-called Future Energy Jobs Bill would bail out two struggling nuclear plants. Critics say it would amount to the largest rate hike in U.S. history.
Chicago Runners: Get Safety, Self-Defense Tips at Upcoming Event
| Kristen Thometz
In light of attacks on runners earlier this fall, the Chicago Area Runners Association is hosting a free safety seminar on Thursday.
Public Voices Concerns Over Special Education in Revised CPS Budget
| Matt Masterson
Speakers raise questions over special education cuts and $215 million in state funding that has not yet been provided to Chicago Public Schools during dual hearings Monday.
What’s Next for US-Cuba Relations?
| Eddie Arruza
The death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro sparks a wide range of emotions and uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Cuba relations. We have some local reactions.
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