Stories by WTTW News

Monday's storms left hundreds of thousands without electricity. ComEd has been working around the clock to restore power to customers but full restoration could take days. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

What are the health hazards associated with thawing food in your powerless refrigerator? Our Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss this and other health-related concerns caused by the storm.

Is gambling expansion a safe bet to solve the state's financial woes? We address the issue with State Rep. Lou Lang and State Rep. Jack Franks.

Paris Schutz has the story of why one suburb is fighting for more bees, and why some residents there feel a bit stung.

BROKE, USA Do payday lenders and pawn shops offer a valuable service to the working poor or do they exploit their customers? We talk to Gary Rivlin, the author of a new book who says there is a "poverty industry" that takes advantage of people in need.

Jay Shefsky takes an in-depth look at an important piece of Chicago cultural history—the original Wienermobile! The New York Times article Oscar Mayer

President Barack Obama continues to push for a deal on raising the debt ceiling. But can it get done? And what happens if it doesn't? Illinois Senator Mark Kirk joins Carol Marin with more.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is cutting up Chicago's credit cards. Comptroller Amer Ahmad tells us about the city's latest cost-cutting and scandal-reducing measures.

There is new competition for ComEd as gas company Nicor enters the residential electricity market. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to talk about what that could mean for Chicago consumers.

Curb Your Enthusiasm's Jeff Garlin joins us to talk about his new stand-up comedy show in town—and his efforts to curb some of his own appetites.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Mayor Rahm Emanuel ushers in a new era of ethics reforms in city government. A vicious beating and stabbing in Lakeview brings renewed fear to the city. Former top cop Jody Weis is hired by the Chicago Crime Commission. State workers lose their raises as Gov. Pat Quinn cuts nearly $400 million from the state budget. City Council approves gun ranges in Chicago. Summer travel costs you more as airlines raise rates. And in sports, bypassed Paul Konerko is finally voted an all-star as the Sox struggle to reach .500.

Reform is coming to Cook County in the form of quarterly performance reports. We sit down with County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about the unveiling of the new initiative.

Chicago's demographics have changed considerably over the last 10 years and now the City Council is deciding how to remap the city's wards. Eddie Arruza and his panel of aldermen look at what's at stake and who's battling for control.

We hear from Dr. David Ansell, the author of a new book about the history of Cook County Hospital.

It has been stalled for years by financial troubles and political upheaval. But there actually may soon be a Museum of Broadcast Communications. Paris Schutz shows us some of the hidden TV and radio relics already on display in the museum's new building.

He looks right at home in the jungle. But Tarzan is really from Oak Park, and the man who played him in the movies went to Lane Tech. Geoffrey Baer takes a look at what's born and made in Chicago.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

Gun ranges will now be legal in Chicago. The Chicago City Council passed the ordinance today, keeping Chicago one step ahead of a federal court decision that could mandate the ranges. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

While the president held the first ever Twitter Town Hall today, Republican candidates are lining up to face Obama in the 2012 presidential race. Our Carol Marin and her panel of political analysts will discuss the growing field and more.

Summer is in full swing. And along with sun, swimming and street festivals, mosquitoes are also a reality of the season. How much of a concern are West Nile-infected mosquitoes? Illinois' Director of Public Health talks about that and other public health concerns.

The Adler Planetarium takes you into deep space for an immersive new exhibit. We speak with the president of this Chicago institution about the science behind their latest venture.

The "Spider-Man" musical has been in the news for months now. But will it have legs beyond Broadway? Hedy Weiss reviews the show for us, along with three new shows a little closer to home. More on the Story: Read about the shows More on Weiss

We meet a Chicago man who wants to change the way America thinks about table tennis. Places to play ping pong/table tennis in Chicago

Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduces new ethics reforms to Chicago's City Council. Paris Schutz has more on what it means for taxpayers.

Gov. Pat Quinn whacks an additional $376 million from the state's budget, signing it hours before the deadline. Eddie Arruza and his panel examine whether the cuts to Medicaid and school spending are enough to help ease Illinois' fiscal crisis.