Stories by Kristen Thometz

Miguel del Valle, a former Illinois state senator, will serve as the president of the Chicago Board of Education. Mayor Lightfoot announced his appointment and six others Monday morning.

Watch the June 3, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

“There Is Greatness In Me” is the defining song in this riveting musical that releases the full “greatness” in its lead character by way of an electrifying performance by veteran Chicago actress Barbara E. Robertson. 

The 5,000-square-foot public library will house multimedia collections, have community programs, a children’s area and offer space for reading and studying.

Two people were also stabbed to death, bringing the total number of homicides over the weekend to 10. In a Monday morning press conference, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson called the violence “despicable.”

Thousands of gravely ill cancer patients each year seek “compassionate use” access to treatments that are not yet on the market but have shown some promise in early testing and aren’t available to them through a study.

The National Weather Service says the 8.25 inches of rain that fell in May was the highest total for the month since records started being kept in 1871. 

During a whirlwind week in Springfield, Illinois lawmakers voted for a host of measures that left rookie Gov. J.B. Pritzker claiming triumph for the progressive agenda he’d promised.

By Saturday night, Republican representatives joined with Democrats who control the General Asssembly to agree to a massive package of bills comprising a $40 billion budget.

It’s been a tumultuous week in local politics. We break down the Burke indictment and address the fallout. Plus: Mayor Lightfoot’s dramatic first City Council meeting, the deadline dash in Springfield and more.

As she releases 2,000 pages of documents related to the high-profile case, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx claims she recused herself because of a false rumor that she was related to the “Empire” actor.

Six months from now, when Illinois residents ring in the New Year, they need not settle for a swig of champagne. They’ll be legally able to toke up.

Jerhonda Pace has come forward to say publicly that 11 new sex-related felony counts against R. Kelly stem from allegations she made about the R&B singer.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot questions whether Ald. Ed Burke, the 50-year veteran of the City Council, can effectively represent his ward while under indictment on racketeering and other charges.

A Cook County judge will decide next month whether a special prosecutor is needed to review the handling of the Jussie Smollett case by the state’s attorney’s office.

Prosecutors say Mohammed Shariff, who illegally dispensed hundreds of thousands of opioid pills, “showed an abject disregard of patients and perverted his companies into engines of unlawful profit.”

In need of a vacation, but don’t want to travel too far? We share our favorite local activities and weekend getaways for a last-minute road trip or a city staycation. 

Many companies are trying to develop early detection “liquid biopsy” tests that capture bits of DNA that cancer cells shed into blood.

Noting Thursday that many rivers in Illinois are flooded, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there’s a multi-agency effort underway to address the “grave” situation.

A $39 billion budget. A public works program. Casinos. Legalized recreational marijuana. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois lawmakers have a single day – until 11:59 p.m. Friday – to wrap up all of that, and more.

The U.S. attorney’s office returns a sweeping indictment against longtime 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke. Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls the allegations “alarming” and says Burke “must resign immediately.”

Are Chicagoans getting the information they need to stay safe at the beach – and in the lake? A new task force has some recommendations for Chicago beaches.

Four Chicago aldermen weigh in on the new power dynamics at City Hall as Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes control – and a longtime alderman is indicted.

A new trove of documents is shedding light on the Chicago Police Department’s investigation into “Empire” star Jussie Smollett’s “false report” that he was the victim of a hate crime.

From the wives of Henry VIII to Frankenstein’s monster, there is plenty to see on local stages right now. Theater critic Hedy Weiss shares her take on five shows currently on stage.

The R&B superstar is facing 11 new charges, three months after he was initially hit with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for allegedly assaulting multiple women between the late 1990s and early 2000s.