Stories by WTTW News

With the debut of the city's first Bitcoin ATM, and a Bitcoin demo taking place on Capitol Hill, many are wondering if virtual currency is making its way to becoming mainstream, and whether it has the potential to replace paper currency.

Chicago Tribune Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin has the latest on the work at Maggie Daley Park and the architectural team picked to build the Lucas Museum.

It was his 75th birthday. Hundreds attended a VIP event featuring music, belly dancers, and speakers honoring his life’s work, and the public opening of the Ed Paschke Art Center in Jefferson Park drew thousands from the neighborhood. Ed Paschke was celebrated in style. We revisit our story about the opening of the northwest side art center.

Chicagoan Joan Harris, a philanthropist and arts patron, was honored with the 2013 National Medal of Arts award by President Barack Obama on Monday, July 28. We talk with Harris about the award and the impact she’s had on the arts.

Illinois is not typically known for its wines, but for more than a century the state has produced a wide variety with little recognition. Join us as we explore the budding wine culture with certified sommelier Clara Orban, author of “Illinois Wines and Wineries: The Essential Guide.”

Big money, bare-knuckle, Washington-style politics come to Chicago. Two new Political Action Committees, or PACs, are going head-to-head over Mayor Rahm Emanuel's re-election, as well as the election of aldermanic candidates who support or oppose him. Paris Schutz has the latest.

The state continues to struggle financially as a result of many obligations - pensions being one of the most immediate. As constitutionality of Senate Bill 1 becomes more uncertain, some lawmakers are looking to amend the constitution in order to move forward. But how will this affect state workers and who will ultimately pay the price?

Will Chicago gas stations be required to offer E15 fuel? Gen. Wesley Clark joins Chicago Tonight to discuss the new E15 fuel legislation and more.  

We remember the “war to end all wars” through the photos and letters of some Chicagoans.

A Chicago design firm is competing with others around the country to create a new, better bike for city riding. All the designs were unveiled Friday, July 25. Phil Ponce will test drive the new bike Monday, July 28, and talk with the designers.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines in this web extra video.

As Toni Preckwinkle gears up to keep her job as Cook County Board president, she is faced with a number of issues. We ask about some of her greatest challenges and where she plans to go from here.

Mayor Emanuel unveils a multi-million dollar plan for an office tower along the Riverwalk. Brandis Friedman has the details.

The Chicago Park District has turned to DNA testing to see if dogs are to blame for high E.coli levels. We talk to the head of Chicago's beaches to see if it's safe to swim.

This year two Illinois teenagers made it to the National High School Musical Theater Awards in New York City and one of them even took home top honors.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when read some of our viewer feedback.

The Chicago Public School board votes today on the controversial 2015 budget that has been slammed by observers for using a "gimmick" to help close nearly a $1 billion hole.

Ukrainian separatists have returned the bodies of those who died in the recent plane crash after much negotiation. We have the latest on the situation in Ukraine after a Malaysian Airlines plane was shot down near the Russian border.

New research shows one common treatment for high cholesterol may not be worth the risk.

The Chicago Park District has teamed with a local sculptor's group to turn trees that were condemned into public art.

Home sales are up in Chicago, but the market is still a long way from recovering to pre-crash levels.

Illinois officials are touting one of the largest drops in unemployment in Illinois history. But is the picture really that rosy? Paris Schutz goes behind the numbers. 

AbbVie, the research arm of Abbott Laboratories, bought the Dublin-based Shire pharmaceutical company last Friday for nearly $55 billion. We break down the economic impact this move will have on Chicago.

President Obama signed an executive order that protects workers for the federal government and workers of federal contractors from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. We take a look at the order and its impact. 

Ever click "I agree" before reading the disclosure? Omri Ben-Shahar speaks with us about his book focused on the purpose and shortcomings of mandated disclosures.