On this edition of Chicago Tonight’s Field Trip, we take a look at the dinosaur that was king before the T-Rex. Watch the web episode and view a slideshow.
Stories by christine hurley
Chef Rick Bayless
Christmas and New Year’s Eve are fast approaching, which means parties and entertaining. Chef Rick Bayless joins us to share a festive margarita recipe and shrimp cocktail with a Mexican twist. Read his recipes.
"Days of Fire"
The New York Times' White House correspondent Peter Baker discusses his new book, Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House. He addresses who was really pulling the strings behind the scenes during George W. Bush’s two terms. Read an excerpt.
Peter Baker
Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, Peter Baker, joins us to check in on fixes to HealthCare.gov and the potential political fallout from the glitches in the 2014 midterms.
A “Masterpiece” Mind
We talk with, Rebecca Eaton, the executive producer of Masterpiece and get the inside scoop on America’s beloved British dramas. We also check to see what’s to come next season on Downton Abbey. Read an excerpt from Eaton's book.
Web Series Episode 4: Chicago Tonight’s “Field Trip”
Ruffling Some Feathers
This edition of Chicago Tonight's Field Trip is for the birds. We discover parasites that live on winged creatures and how studying them can help humans. Watch the web extra video and view a slideshow.
Pension Committee
Members of the pension committee join us to talk about the likelihood of the state's $97 billion dollar pension problem getting resolved during next week's veto session.
Pulse of Springfield
Will the General Assembly solve the $100 billion pension problem? What is happening in the race for Illinois Governor? And, will same-sex marriage pass during the second week of the Veto Session? Carol Marin and her panel of guests break down what’s happening in Springfield.
"Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair"
The Field Museum opens its hidden collections to display artifacts and specimens from 120 years ago. We get a preview of Opening the Vaults: Wonders of the 1893 World’s Fair. View a slideshow of images from the exhibit.
"The Men Who United the States"
New York Times best-selling author, Simon Winchester, talks about his new book: The Men Who United the States: America’s Explorers, Inventors, Eccentrics and Mavericks, and the Creation of One Nation, Indivisible. Read an excerpt.
Future of the GOP
Now that the government shutdown is over, the Republican party needs to look towards the 2014 elections. Who are the shining stars? And just how can the GOP fix their perceived messaging problem? We take a look at what's ahead for the Republican party.
"How We Do It"
A book called How We Do It: The Evolution and Future of Human Reproduction explores the science of sex and childbirth. We revisit a conversation with the book's author. Read an excerpt.
Web Series Episode 3: Chicago Tonight’s “Field Trip”
Bugs in Illinois
On this edition of Chicago Tonight's Field Trip, Jim Louderman, a researcher from The Field Museum, takes us to Northerly Island to collect a sample of bugs. Watch episode 3 of our web series.
Rep. Peter Roskam on Shutdown
We check in with Chief Deputy Whip Peter Roskam about the ongoing government shutdown.
Health Care Exchange Kickoff
We check the pulse on the first day of the health insurance exchange open enrollment.
Looming Shutdown
The fiscal year ends on Monday and the federal government still does not have a solution on how to fund the upcoming year. We break down the chances of a shutdown and the effects it would have.
Alan Dixon
Alan Dixon talks about 40 years of public service in his new book, The Gentleman from Illinois. Read an excerpt and watch web extra interviews with Dixon from WTTW's archives.
Richard Wolffe
We take a look at what Bill Daley was like inside the Obama administration. Read a book excerpt.
Jim Durkin
Illinois Rep. Jim Durkin talks about his new role as the minority leader of the Illinois House. View a timeline of his career.
Web Series Episode 2: Chicago Tonight's "Field Trip"
Chicago's Tropical Reef
On this edition of Chicago Tonight's Field Trip, we hit the road with The Field Museum’s Fossil Invertebrates Collections Manager to hunt for fossils from a time when Chicago was a tropical reef. Watch the video and view a slideshow.
Tribune: Emanuel Aide & Indicted City Comptroller Linked
We talk with Chicago Tribune reporter Bill Ruthhart about his story detailing business ties between a top aide in Mayor Emanuel’s office and the indicted city comptroller. Read Ruthhart's full story.
Pat Brady
Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady has a new gig. He is going to lobby state lawmakers to pass same-sex marriage on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union. He talks about this next chapter.
Illinois Lieutenant Governor
Republican candidates for governor State Sen. Kirk Dillard and Treasurer Dan Rutherford announce their picks for lieutenant governor. We take a look at their running mates with Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney. Learn more about their picks.
Shuttered Schools
What's in store for the closed Chicago Public Schools buildings? The chair of a new committee shares some details about what's ahead.
Barbara Byrd-Bennett
Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to grade the first day of school.
