Stories by Paris Schutz

Gov. Bruce Rauner makes another move to take over Chicago Public Schools. This one, he says, could happen without legislative approval.

The political awakening of Chicago's gay and lesbian community is documented in a new book called "Queer Clout: Chicago and the Rise of Gay Politics."

Saturday's Republican primary race in South Carolina gave a big boost to political outsider Donald Trump, and left many Republicans stunned when the establishment candidate, Jeb Bush, dropped out of the race. Geoffrey Cowan's new book traces the history of the presidential primary process from its first days in 1912. 

The touring production stops by MCA this week as part of the city's ongoing Shakespeare 400 festival.

There are signs that climate change is having negative effects on maple syrup production. Researchers are now surveying maple trees in the Midwest to look for them.

A persistent group of nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless met with Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday to push for his support of a bill that would unlock $310 million in state aid to fund homeless programs.

The celebrated, reclusive author of the Pulitzer prize-winning book “To Kill a Mockingbird" is reported to have died in her sleep at an assisted living facility in Alabama.

WTTW’s 2016 Voters’ Guide to the Primary is an online resource designed to inform voters about the candidates running for Cook County office in the March 15 election. Learn more.

Political and police accountability tops this week's news. Join Joel Weisman and guests for discussion and analysis of the week's top stories.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office prosecutes crimes committed in Cook County, the largest consolidated court district in the U.S.; serves as legal counsel for Cook County government agencies; and serves as legal counsel for all Cook County public officials.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is the keeper of the records of the Court. The Clerk is responsible for serving the court, the legal profession and the general public by recording court decisions and events; handling fines, bail bonds and other financial transactions; and supporting the court system with record storage, microfilming, automation and other services.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) is governed by a nine-member board elected at-large with three commissioners elected every two years. During the March 15 primary, some candidates will run for six-year terms, while others will run for terms that last two years.

The Cook County Board of Review is a three-member board, elected from three electoral districts, that hears and decides taxpayer complaints on assessed value or exempt status of real property in Cook County. In 2016, a one commissioner each from two of the three districts will be elected.

The office of the Recorder of Deeds records, stores and provides information that is accurate, legible, timely and easily retrievable for public and private use. The office also creates public records of land transactions, federal and state tax liens, articles of incorporation, and uniform commercial code filings.

Watch the February 18, 2016 full episode of Chicago Tonight.

Law enforcement agencies like the Chicago Police Department are increasingly using cellphone tracking devices, or Stingrays, to gather data on people. Why some Illinois legislators are trying to tone it down.

The death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has created new battle lines between the president and Senate Republicans. Is a constitutional crisis on the horizon?

The disaster in Flint has spotlighted the dangers and adverse health outcomes of lead seeping into communities’ drinking water. Elizabeth Brackett reports on the lead pipes carrying water into Chicago and suburban homes. 

Hear what viewers had to say about Toni Preckwinkle's comments on the state budget stalemate and our candidate forums for the 4th and 7th Congressional Districts when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Enjoy another restaurant week in the Northwest suburbs, see the reinstallation of the "Above and Beyond" dog tag exhibiton and watch Shirley King pay tribute to the King of Blues.

Surrealism is the focus of a show at the Museum of Contemporary Art. We'll get a tour of the weird and the wonderful.

Avril Lavigne. Mariah Carey. Outkast. Usher. Rihanna. You've heard these names and many others made famous by music mega-mogul L.A. Reid. The current CEO and chairman of Epic Records has not only scouted star talent, but also penned quite a few top 10 hits himself. Reid tells us about his new memoir.

Candidate statement: "I believe that the State’s Attorney of Cook County plays two important roles. The first is to prosecute crime no matter who commits it. That means being tough on crime without regard to race, uniform, politics or money. The job requires a dogged determination to remain wide-eyed about evidence … and blind to outside influence."

Candidate statement: "I have devoted my entire legal career to public service as an Assistant State’s Attorney, working for justice, fairness and compassion and advocating for victims of crime across Cook County."

Candidate statement: "I am running for State’s Attorney because our criminal justice system is broken–and incumbent State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is part of the problem."