Stories by WTTW News

State's Attorney Anita Alvarez faces critics and opponents in a contentious forum to answer the question of whether a special prosecutor should handle police shootings. Paris Schutz brings us the latest.

While the start of the Major League Baseball season is still nearly four months away, the Cubs have aleady made headlines in 2016 with plans to beef up security around Wrigley Field. Joining us to talk about the proposed changes is Crain's Chicago Business sports business reporter Danny Ecker.

Tensions are rising between Gov. Bruce Rauner and one of Illinois' largest unions. We discuss what that could mean for the state with Anders Lindall, public affairs director for AFSCME Council 31; and John Tillman, CEO of the  Illinois Policy Institute.

They are some of the most divisive issues of our time: abortion, affirmative action, contraception, unions and immigration. And they are all under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court this term. Three former clerks join us to outline the cases.

Founded in 1905, the Chicago Defender gave a voice to black Americans during the Jim Crow era and helped along the careers of politicians from JFK to Richard J. Daley. Former Defender editor and reporter Ethan Michaeli spent years conducting research and interviews for his extensive new history book.

A show dedicated to the life of the barrier-breaking performance artist opens Saturday at Northwestern’s Block Museum. 

Paris Schutz and his panel discuss the newly released video of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Cedrick Chatman, the powerful Chicago aldermen who delayed a vote on oversight reform and Gov. Bruce Rauner's first year in office.

The new documentary "Equal Under God" follows one man's crusade for the protection of albinos in Uganda. One of the filmmakers – who has another connection to "Chicago Tonight" – joins us to discuss the film.

Former FCC chairman and WTTW trustee emeritus Newton Minow turns 90 on Sunday. While you may remember that he once famously called TV a “vast wasteland,” you might not know that he’s actually a big “Downton Abbey” fan. In honor of his upcoming birthday, we share 10 things about him that might just surprise you.

A federal judge on Thursday ruled to release surveillance video that was originally held under protective order by the city depicting the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager—17-year-old Cedrick Chatman—by a white Chicago police officer in January 2013. We talk with Brian Coffman, an attorney representing the boy's family.

The race to be Cook County's top prosecutor is getting even more interesting. Today, Cook County Democrats changed their minds about endorsing a candidate for state's attorney – in August, the party chose not to endorse anybody – and officially backed a challenger to incumbent Anita Alvarez.

Despite the cold, there's plenty to do with your green thumb – even though it may be a little blue right now. Joining us with some winter gardening ideas and tips is Eliza Fournier of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

See all the boats, hang with Danny Tanner and hipster it up with the best of them. 

Eight times a week, Chicago actor Abby Mueller portrays the great songwriter Carole King in the national touring production of "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." Mueller joins us to speak about the real Carole King and the very musical Mueller family of Evanston. She'll also perform a classic Carole King song live in our studio.

We read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

The former commissioner of Cultural Affairs died Wednesday night.  

Alice, the famous smelly flower of the Chicago Botanic Garden, is bearing fruit – hundreds of them.

Less than two weeks into the new year, Chicago has already had a dramatic spike in violence. This morning, Chicago's interim police superintendent said he is frustrated at the city's ongoing violent crime, calling it a daunting issue for his beleaguered police force. Eddie Arruza has the story.

When President Obama announced last week a series of executive actions to reduce gun violence, he was joined by the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, who was murdered in Chicago three years ago this month. The Pendletons join us to talk about curbing violence in Chicago.

Actions Wednesday by powerful aldermen Ed Burke and Carrie Austin signal City Council might not yet be ready for reform. Paris Schutz has the latest on that and how aldermen have watered-down the mayor’s borrowing plan – for now.

This week the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum brings out some rare specimens from its vault and opens a new pop-up exhibit. 

After more than a month of trials and tribulations, including an unseasonably warm December and apparent vandalism, the Wicker Ice outdoor skating rink is set to open—weather permitting—this Sunday, Jan. 17.

Without even mentioning the election, President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address last night included a number of critiques of the rhetoric from Republican candidates who are preparing for tomorrow's debate in South Carolina. Political communications expert Jason DeSanto discusses the president’s speech and upcoming debate.