Stories by Nick Blumberg

The state's six-month stopgap budget sailed through the Illinois General Assembly by a huge vote margin last week, just before the fiscal year deadline. Only four lawmakers voted against the plan. They join “Chicago Tonight” to explain their decision.

Lawmakers and the governor strike a six-month budget deal. Schools get funding to open in the fall. The Bears lose a legend, and the Cubs' Kris Bryant makes history. Joel Weisman and guests discuss these stories and more.

A new study finds a program that works with at-risk young men in Chicago reduced overall arrests in the group by 35 percent, violent crime arrests by 50 percent and boosted on-time high school graduation for participants by 19 percent.

The University of Chicago's startup accelerator and entrepreneurship center lands a multimillion-dollar gift to expand. Meet the alumni donor and the center's director.

Meet a Chicago police officer who says she faced retaliation after investigating corrupt cops, and find out how she hopes to help other whistleblowers.

As Chicago remembers victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, it's also preparing to celebrate Gay Pride Month over the next two weekends. Hear details from the parade coordinator.

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss this week’s news, including the end of the spring legislative session in Springfield without a budget and the possibility that schools won’t open in the fall.

An annual study from the University of Illinois at Chicago finds that aldermen are increasingly voting independently from Mayor Rahm Emanuel on contested issues.

A whistleblower lawsuit filed by two police officers claim that Chicago police have a “code of silence.” We discuss whether the code exists with our guests.

Ron Magers signs off Wednesday night after 51 years in television news, including almost 35 in Chicago. He started here at WMAQ-Channel 5, where he co-anchored with “Chicago Tonight” host Carol Marin for 13 years. In April, Magers sat down for a conversation with his former “TV wife.”

There was a flurry of late-session activity in the Illinois House and Senate on Tuesday, but still no budget deal.

Days after a bipartisan group filed a constitutional amendment that would take redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers, a lawsuit was filed to get the proposal thrown out.

With less than a month until the end of the presidential primaries and caucuses, Donald Trump appears confident he'll pick up the Republican nomination. Despite Hillary Clinton’s commanding lead in pledged and unpledged delegates, Sen. Bernie Sanders pushes on.

The "Subversive Copy Editor" discusses tips for navigating the often-tricky process of editing someone else's work.

If you're in search of great beer in Chicago, a new interactive website can help. The founders of Chicagos.Beer join "Chicago Tonight" to explain.

It’s a dream job, no doubt about it. But Homewood native Jason Benetti works hard to keep his cool while calling games for the team he grew up rooting for.

Congressmen Mike Quigley and Randy Hultgren join "Chicago Tonight" for a conversation about issues facing Congress, including national security, health care and lead levels in water. They'll also give us their thoughts on the 2016 presidential race.

Faced with major, ongoing financial pressure, the Archdiocese of Chicago is looking hard at its mission and membership. Archbishop Blase Cupich talks about the Chicago Catholic Church's money woes and how it might reorganize and revitalize itself.

A new video featuring two local journalists unveils the hostility some female sports reporters face online. One of the journalists, Julie DiCaro, joins us to talk about the attacks she faces and how she fights back.

Lead levels in the water supply are getting nationwide attention after the ongoing crisis in Flint, Michigan came into the spotlight. Now, CPS says it will test for lead in the water at 28 schools, even though it's not legally required to.

Tougher regulations for financial advisers are aimed at protecting consumers planning for retirement. But could new rules make it harder to get investment advice?

Newspaper giant Gannett makes a bid to take over the parent company of the Chicago Tribune. A look at what Gannett's offering, and whether it's likely to succeed.

Delays in rape kit testing and strained law enforcement resources nationwide mean that victims of sexual assault may face long waits for their attackers to face prosecution. 

The Chicago Tribune's Pulitzer prize-winning architecture critic discusses a new lakefront proposal for the Lucas Museum and architecturally significant churches like St. Adalbert's in Pilsen that preservationists warn are at risk.

The Chicago Police Department faces a scathing review from a reform task force that says many Chicagoans believe officers are "fundamentally racist." Joel Weisman and guests discuss this story and more on this week's show.

The veteran DJ and Radio Hall of Famer is back on the air following cancer surgery earlier this year. Learn about her new project blending a history lesson with live music.