Stories by WTTW News

It's day one of the government shutdown. We assess the local impact.

Just how serious is the government shutdown? Federal employees missing paychecks will feel it, but what about the economy as a whole? And who is really to blame? We have analysis.

He was a polarizing and enigmatic president, not unlike the man who would succeed him 100 years later. We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning author of a new biography of President Woodrow Wilson.

With the government hours away from a possible shutdown, we take a look at the impact on Chicago. Paris Schutz has the details.

James "Big Cat" Williams breaks down the turnovers and shoddy tackling that led to the Bears' first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions. Watch a web extra video.

A book called Picturing Illinois takes a look back in time through Chicago history using picture postcards. We revisit a conversation with the book's authors. View a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about sand mining near a state park and the state of the economy in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the possibility of an African American candidate running against Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the prospect of ADM moving to Chicago. Watch the web extra video.

Illinois lawmakers must be paid, a Cook County judge ruled on Thursday, in response to Gov. Pat Quinn's decision to suspend lawmakers' salaries because of their failure to solve the state's pension crisis. Judge Neil Cohen ruled the move to withhold pay unconstitutional. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney gives us the details. Read the full order, along with statements from Quinn and Cullerton.

We share what you had to say about violence in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build or expand Chicago schools, and tougher Illinois gun laws in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Will the Cornell Square Park shooting be the catalyst for Springfield to toughen Illinois gun laws? Paris Schutz has the latest on what Mayor Rahm Emanuel had to say.

Four suspects are in custody for the mass shooting in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Paris Schutz has the latest.

We take a closer look at what happened the night of the Back of the Yards mass park shooting, and examine Chicago's persistent violence, with Felicia Davis, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's deputy chief of staff, and Chicago Tribune reporter Peter Nickeas.

Just months after closing 47 Chicago schools, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to build or expand other schools has drawn fresh outrage from teachers and parents. Phil Ponce talks with Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz about the issue.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice brought the Prairie School of Architecture to Europe. We take a look at the innovations of architect Barry Byrne with Vincent Michael, the author of The Architecture of Barry Byrne. Read a book excerpt and view a slideshow.

All eyes are on the U.S. Senate as a potential government shutdown looms. Paris Schutz has more on what Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois members of Congress are planning to do.

Police are questioning people of interest in the shooting rampage that left 13 people injured in a south side park. We have the latest on what's become another Chicago violence story making international headlines.

The Bears pound Pittsburgh in primetime to remain undefeated. James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his weekly post-game analysis. Watch a web extra video.

We share what you had to say about the CTA's new Ventra fare card payment system and on new options available for flu vaccines in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue their conversation about Chicago gun crimes by asking whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel needs to change his personal way of handling the issue. And, are there are other strategies that haven’t been tried to curb the violence? Watch the web extra video.

RIC Blackhawks schedule: Blackhawks Travel Squad: October 25 – 27: Denver, CO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #1 November 21 – 24: Pittsburg, PA NHL Sled Classic January 3 – 5: St. Louis, MO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #2 February 7 – 9: San Antonio, TX  Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #3 March 7 – 9: Chicago, IL Midwest Sled Hockey Championship “Wirtz Cup” April 10 – 13: Marlborough, MA USA Disabled Hockey Festival “National Championships”

We analyze what Wednesday's Federal Reserve announcement to continue the stimulus program will mean for the economic recovery.

The billionaire maker of Beanie Babies admits to not paying taxes on offshore bank accounts. Paris Schutz has more on a government crackdown that could nab more tax cheats in the future.