Stories by WTTW News

John von Rhein, Classical Music Critic, Retires from Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Tribune’s newly retired classical music critic looks back on four decades of listening. 

CPS Releases Building Inspection Results. Did Your School Pass or Fail?

One in four CPS schools failed a recent round of blitz inspections designed to examine things like overall cleanliness and pest control. See if your school passed or failed its inspection.

Before Firing Head of City Shelter, Mayor’s Office Squashed Talk of Overcrowding, Euthanasia, Sources Say

The ouster last weekend of Chicago Animal Care and Control’s executive director, whose short tenure resulted in the fewest instances of euthanasia at the agency since that data has been recorded, has got folks howling across the city.

‘Reckless’ Anti-Violence March on Dan Ryan Expressway Could Lead to Arrests: State Police

Illinois State Police are asking the Rev. Michael Pfleger to reconsider a planned gun violence march on the Dan Ryan expressway this weekend, telling protesters they could face arrest and calling the potential for injury or loss of life “enormous.”

Diplomat’s Memoir Chronicles Relationship with Cuba’s Past and Present

Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. ambassador, shares stories from her new memoir, “Our Woman in Havana.”

In Wake of Janus Decision, What’s Next for Public Unions

Unions – and their foes – are fast on the heels of a landmark Supreme Court ruling issued last week on Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a case with Illinois roots.

July 2, 2018 - Full Show

Watch the July 2, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

New Exhibition Examines ‘Americans and the Holocaust’

We speak with Daniel Greene, an adjunct professor of history at Northwestern University who is the curator of a new exhibition at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

New Chicago Bike Map Highlights Most ‘Mellow’ Routes

As Chicago tries to become a more bike-friendly city, a transportation journalist offers his own, low-stress routes.

Lawsuit: Chicago State University Officer Threatened to Shoot Woman After Concert

Karen Coruthers claims a CSU officer pointed his gun at her and her young daughter “without justification.” Now she’s suing the university’s Board of Trustees and others in federal court.

Pat Quinn’s Quest to Term-Limit Chicago Mayors

The former Illinois governor joins us to discuss his campaign to set a two-term limit for Chicago mayors.

Do Newspaper Closures Impact Government Spending? One Study Says Yes

“A lot of studies show that when newspapers close, local politicians become lazy and voters become less informed and there’s lower voter turnout,” said Chang Lee, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Mercury Theater’s ‘Avenue Q’ Revival Taps Into Irresistibly Funny Truthiness of Life’s Disappointments

The surprising thing about “Avenue Q” is just how wise, witty, open-minded and openly devoid of by-the-book political correctness it manages to be. 

Clunky ‘Cher Show’ Better Suited for Vegas Than Broadway

The most winning aspect of this flashy new musical at the Oriental Theatre is how three different actresses with powerful voices so deftly capture Cher at various stages of her life.

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Emanuel’s Affordable Housing Proposal

Paris Schutz and guests discuss Mayor Emanuel’s affordable housing proposals. 

The Week in Review: Supreme Court Deals Blow to Unions

The Supreme Court deals a major blow to public sector unions. Chicago Public Schools launches a new office to handle sexual abuse allegations. And the Cubs struggle on the road.

June 28, 2018 - Full Show

Watch the June 28, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Viewer Feedback: ‘Chicago Merits Much Better Than This’

Your thoughts about the proposed addition to Chicago's Union Station.

Emanuel on Term Limits, Chicago’s Affordable Housing Challenges

“Gov. Quinn has been working on this – he doesn’t have the signatures ready,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said of efforts to place a binding referendum on the November ballot asking whether Chicago mayors should be limited to two terms.

How Are Supreme Court Justices Selected and Approved?

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy will retire July 31. Who will replace him? And how will they be selected?

Judge Orders Asylum-Seeking Mom Reunited with 9-Year-Old Son in Chicago

U.S. District Judge Manish Shah wrote in an order issued Thursday that continued separation of the mother and child “irreparably harms them both.”

2-Month Checkup on UChicago Trauma Center

The center has seen nearly 500 patients since opening May 1. “It’s as busy as expected to be, and as well as we can expect early on,” said Dr. Selwyn Rogers, founding director of UChicago Medicine’s trauma center.

Towering Trolls Keep a Watchful Eye on Morton Arboretum

We take you on a visit to the west suburban forest under the watchful eye of six suspicious – and sizable – trolls.

Chicago Cooling Centers: Places to Beat the Heat This Summer

With summer heating up, Chicagoans can visit these air-conditioned facilities to catch a break from the heat. 

Climate Change Could Kill Off Bees, Northwestern Study Finds

Slight increases in temperature could lead to the extinction of bees in southwestern states in the near future, according to a new study from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Van Dyke Case: ‘Prejudicial’ Media Coverage Cited in Defense Change of Venue Motion

Attorneys for Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke say prejudicial and inflammatory comments made by public officials have amounted to a "public execution" of their client.
 

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