Stories by WTTW News

The makeover of the Chicago City Council is now complete and the change will be dramatic. Yesterday's runoff elections brought some surprises with four incumbents going down to defeat. Eddie Arruza talks with several of the aldermanic newcomers.

Wilmette was one of just a few suburban communities to pass a school funding referendum yesterday. We take a look at key election results from the suburbs. Information on the referendum

There's an increasingly bitter debate going on in one of Chicago's wealthiest suburbs. We hear about the Village of Winnetka's affordable housing proposal, and why some opponents say it will bring criminals to the North Shore community.

What are the 10 "most threatened" historic sites in Illinois? The head of a group that wants to bring attention to these endangered landmarks tells us why they are at risk. More on the Story: Map and info of endangered landmarks Landmarks Illinois website

She's been an acclaimed designer for Tiffany and Co. for over 30 years. Artist Paloma Picasso is here to talk about her life, her work and her legacy. More on the Story: Paloma Picasso Timeline

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel is warning Chicago unions: He wants longer school days and fewer absences from laborers. We hear from both the Chicago Teachers Union and the union that represents Chicago Streets and Sanitation workers. Local mom reactions to longer school days Are you for or against longer school days?

What does the nuclear crisis tell us about Japanese culture? We talk to two experts about Japan's calm and collected nature in the face of tragedy. An article on Japan's stoicism after the earthquake

Everybody seems to agree that youth - especially "at-risk" youth - need mentors. But the problem with many mentoring programs is that the mentors don't stick around long enough. A Chicago mentoring program aims to fix that. More information on Aim High

Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi talks about becoming the first Asian American to win gold, and her new children's book. More on Kristi Yamaguchi's book

After the polling places close, we have the latest results in the Aldermanic Runoff Elections. Aldermanic Runoff Elections page Chicago Board of Elections website

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read viewer mail.

It's been another day of cancellations and inspections. Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at what Southwest Airlines is doing to address the problems that caused part of a mid-air fuselage tear Friday and how it may affect Chicago travelers. More on Southwest controversy

Chicago's inspector general continues finding waste and mismanagement in city departments, from truck drivers sleeping on the job to missing medicines from city clinics. Eddie Arruza talks to Joseph Ferguson about his recent reports. Chicago Inspector General's website

McDonald's is going to hire 50,000 new employees on April 19. Find out why when WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to look at the week in business. McDonald's Careers

New condos popped up everywhere over the last two decades -- but were they built to last? Paris Schutz reports on the leaky truth behind many Chicago condos, and why the trickle effect has homeowners fearing the worst. Hear one homeowner's story, from mold infestation to lawsuit Photo gallery: upload your own leaky condo photos

Single-sex education is on the rise. Why do proponents say it can be so beneficial to students? We talk with one supporter, Johnnetta Cole, one-time president of both Bennett College for Women and Spelman College. She's now the president of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art.

Jay Shefsky takes us north of the border to the legendary Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Great Lakes Dragaway website

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, the CHA's most notorious public housing project, Cabrini-Green, is being torn down. Mayor Daley's trying to slash costs, this time by cutting rat patrol crews. Meanwhile, Chicago's Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discuss consolidating elections and health care service to save millions. Winnetka debates affordable housing there. Illinois schools are hoarding billions in cash. And in sports, baseball is back! Guests:

These prehistoric figures were part of a popular Field Museum exhibit for over 40 years before they were removed.   So where are they now?  Geoffrey tells us the surprising answer.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail.

Two nuns took to the Chicago streets 43 years ago asking unsuspecting passersby a simple question--"Are you happy?"  Their candid exchanges were documented in a film airing tonight on WTTW.  We'll get a preview.

A truly inventive opera uses live actors, robots, and futuristic set design.  It's called "Death and the Powers" and we'll talk to the composer -- a cellist and inventor whose technologies helped create Guitar Hero.

This sport is all about moving from point A to point B over any obstacle. We'll show you how a group of Chicagoans are training in the harrowing discipline of Parkour.

We sit down with the two aldermanic candidates in the 45th ward runoff. Meet John Garrido and John Arena.

The Daley administration is reportedly ready to privatize recycling in Chicago. Could it become the next parking meter fiasco? Eddie Arruza and his panel look at why Mayor Daley is pushing for one more privatization contract before leaving office.

It's been four weeks since Jody Weis stepped down as Chicago Police Superintendent. What's his legacy with the police department? What is he doing now? And who does he think should replace him? Weis joins us to answer these questions and more.