Stories by Marc Vitali

A city treasurer with a love of horses managed to embezzle nearly $54 million from a small town of just 16,000 people. The new documentary “All The Queen’s Horses” looks at the case of Rita Crundwell.

From the obvious game changers to the surprising—and controversial—a new book by the publisher of N’DIGO profiles the biggest Chicago icons.

The number of hate crimes recorded across the country rose nearly 5 percent last year, according to new data from the FBI. In Chicago, the number of recorded incidents rose 34 percent over 2015.

Teen birth rates in Chicago have reached a new low, according to city officials. In 2015, there were 27.5 births per 1,000 girls ages 15-19, a 67-percent drop from 1999.

The biennial award is bestowed upon three promising researchers under the age of 45 making significant contributions to understanding the disease or improving treatments. 

Oversight officials released several clips showing the shooting death of teen Juan Flores after he pinned an officer between his SUV and a squad car in September.

Sexual harassment takes the focus in Springfield and City Council. Aldermen approve a new police training center on the West Side. Sears plans to shutter more stores. And the Bears take on the weakened Packers. 

Watch the Nov. 9, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The opioid epidemic in Illinois is more acute than in many other states, according to the National Safety Council. We discuss the crisis and a new memorial that highlights the human toll of opioid addiction.

Taylor Bennett talks about his rising rap career, and the inevitable comparisons with his brother, Chance the Rapper.

Exploring the little-known story of an all-black infantry regiment from Chicago that fought in World War I. A discussion with documentary filmmaker Mario Tharpe.

Illinois’ female state senators announce their informal tribe will operate as an official, bipartisan caucus devoted to advancing legislation to empower women. But hours later, the chamber kills a measure on gender pay equity.

Monarch butterfly populations have dropped by more than 80 percent over the past two decades. A bill approved this week aims to boost the monarch’s recovery by protecting milkweed, a plant that serves as the butterfly’s only source of food. 

A tech billionaire with a famous name talks about bringing his “real food” movement to the Windy City. 

When Helen Lambin got a small tattoo for her 75th birthday, she had no intention of ever getting another. But the experience “made me feel sort of adventurous and wild,” she remembers.

Yingying Zhang disappeared in June. Now, attorneys for the man accused in her kidnapping and death are requesting a delay in the trial, in part because they want to investigate possible sightings of the victim.

Northwestern University scientists believe they may have found the “Achilles’ heel” of cancer. In a recent study, researchers were able to almost completely eradicate the disease in laboratory cell cultures.

The EPA likely won’t be able to determine the source of a late October oil spill in the Chicago River because the agency was notified about the spill two days after it occurred, the EPA said Tuesday. 

A Chicago Public Schools watchdog report recommended her termination just two months ago, but on Thursday, York Alternative High School Principal Sharnette Sims received an apology from the district and was told she’ll be reinstated to her position, effective immediately.

It’s not mandatory by law yet, but Illinois legislators began formal lessons Wednesday on how to conduct themselves without “unwelcome” behavior and contacts that could be perceived by victims as sexual harassment. 

The city’s military academies help some Chicago Public Schools students reach new heights. We visit Air Force Academy High School.

Grammy winner and Chicago native Chance the Rapper showed up at Wednesday’s City Council meeting to give aldermen—and Mayor Rahm Emanuel—a piece of his mind.

Watch the Nov. 8, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The city’s former deputy mayor in charge of neighborhood redevelopment talks about her new role as CEO of World Business Chicago.

President Donald Trump this week again claimed—erroneously—that Chicago has the “strongest gun laws in our nation,” pushing back against the idea the tough legislation will reduce gun violence.

Geoffrey Baer gets ready for a new voyage along the Chicago River with viewer questions about the history of our city’s favorite Y-shaped waterway.