Stories by Brandis Friedman

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is lending the city access to technology that police hope will help close thousands of gun cases opened every year.

Aldermen on the City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday approved a plan to lock the Ohio Street pedestrian tunnel between midnight and 5 a.m.

Watch the June 26, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Chicagoans dump more than 800,000 tons of garbage into their bins every year, but once city garbage trucks leave the alley, most of us have no idea where it all goes. We follow the trail.

The Supreme Court has given President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban a split decision. Analysis of that and other big decisions at the court.

When fine art and advertising joined forces: We check out an exhibition of posters from late 19th century France.

Students ages 18 and under can pick up a free lunch on weekdays at school sites across the city, through Aug. 25. Find a location near you.

Before they break for a July Fourth recess next week, Senate Republicans are trying to rally support and votes for a bill intended to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Chicago data scientists competed against teams from Canada and the Netherlands in an annual event that highlights the innovative use of technology to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes. 

From lost jewelry to criminal evidence, a Pontiac landfill that receives trash from Chicago has plenty of bizarre waste stories. 

About 5,000 tons of trash from the Chicago area is dumped every day at a landfill in Livingston County, but hardly any of it goes to waste. How yesterday’s trash becomes tomorrow’s energy.

As Illinois faces an end-of-month deadline to pass a budget, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has introduced a new set of preconditions to a compromise.

An updated “doomsday” picture offered by Comptroller Susana Mendoza: Without a budget in place soon, she won’t be able to write checks to pay for the most basic of services come August.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle says embattled Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, a close political ally, has agreed to an outside evaluation of the property tax assessment process.

Who wins and who loses if a local charter teachers union merges with CTU? Local labor education professor Robert Bruno takes a look at the proposed merger—and the possible impact on CPS.

We salute the sparkling stage presence of a turn-of-the-century star with a cocktail made with Prosecco, limoncello and summer fruit.

The international nonprofit Women Who Code boasts 100,000 members worldwide. This week, it’s relaunching its Chicago chapter and plans to offer meet-ups and other networking opportunities.

Still no budget out of Springfield. Shootings and murders dip in May. The Chicago Bulls ship Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a rare allergy puts Chicago Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa out the for season—and perhaps permanently.

A Chicago businessman pleads not guilty in federal court to charges he stole $7 million from elderly homeowners in a reverse mortgage scheme.

Watch the June 22, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The end of the fiscal year is a week from Friday. Is Illinois any closer to getting a budget passed by that deadline?

A recent review by Hedy Weiss of the Steppenwolf production “Pass Over” has gotten the Chicago Sun-Times theater critic of more than 30 years in some hot water.

Democratic sources tell Chicago Tonight that Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is mulling a run for the post, contingent on whether he can garner enough Democratic support.

Cook County is projecting a budget shortfall of $97.6 million. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins us to discuss county finances, health care and the controversial soda tax.

In the crowded race for governor, businessman Chris Kennedy is making a name for himself by bucking Democratic Party leaders.

New state guidelines adopted this month will help kids get ready for life after 12th grade – whether that means picking a college or finding a job.