Stories by WTTW News

Dignitaries and top chefs come together to celebrate Charlie Trotter. Paris Schutz has the story.

We take a look at a documentary that follows five war veterans, and their new mission to heal after combat through fly fishing. Not Yet Begun to Fight airs tonight on WTTW World. We speak with the documentary's Executive Producer, Steve Platcow.

James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to discuss the Bears’ loss to the Lions, coach Marc Trestman’s decision to keep an injured Jay Cutler in the game, and how the Bears can regroup in time to face the Ravens. Watch a web extra conversation with Big Cat.

We share what you had to say about Native American sports mascots and more in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel discuss Dominick’s exit from Chicago, and the roughly 5,600 employees about to get pink slips. Many of the Dominick’s stores anchor entire shopping centers. What impact will the vacancies have? And what effect will the gay marriage bill have on the next Republican primaries? Watch the web extra conversation.

Illinois Senators and Mayor Emanuel are demanding the new U.S. Attorney focus on combating Chicago street crime. But will that really help-- and what about political corruption? Paris Schutz and his panel take a look.

Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones joins us to talk about his new book, Bigger, Brighter, Louder: 150 Years of Chicago Theater as Seen by Chicago Tribune Critics. Read excerpts from the book.

We share what you had to say about forest preserve restoration in Cook County, and the newly announced City Council Budget Office in tonight’s viewer feedback.

Same-sex marriage passed both chambers on Tuesday in Springfield and is now waiting to be signed by Governor Quinn. State Representative Greg Harris, one of the key sponsors of the bill, joins us from the Chicago Sun-Times Springfield bureau with the latest.

Going into the final week of the veto session in Springfield, the big ticket items on the docket were pension reform, same-sex marriage and mandatory minimums. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us with the latest details.

Just how long have the antique-looking Chicago streetlights been burning? Geoffrey Baer reveals the age of these beauties in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

The Illinois House narrowly approved the same-sex marriage bill that passed in the senate earlier this year. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney joins us to with the latest.

Influential chef Charlie Trotter, whose culinary skills and eponymous Chicago restaurant became world famous, died today at the age of 54. We take a look back at his celebrated career and the impact he had on the world of fine cuisine with three chefs who trained under Trotter. Watch a web extra video from our archives.

We look at the contribution Chef Charlie Trotter made to the Chicago fine dining scene with journalist Louisa Chu, food contributor for WBEZ and host of weekly podcast, Chewing the Fat, writer David Tamarkin, media director for Chef Rick Bayless and editor of Middlewest magazine, and Chicago magazine executive editor Jennifer Tanaka.  

Chicago Transit Authority and Ventra officials promise a quick fix to the new Ventra system. How? Paris Schutz has the details.

In what turned out to be a battle of backup quarterbacks, Josh McCown and the Chicago Bears beat the Packers and secured a share of first place in the division. James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to break down the Bears improbable road win.

The Legislative Veto session is winding down. If something is to get done this year on the big ticket items like pension reform, marriage equality and mandatory minimum prison sentences for gun offenders, it has to happen in the next three days. Which of these will get done and which will get put off yet again? Paris Schutz has the details.

This year, for the first time in this country, more poor people live in suburbs than in American cities. Here in the Chicago region, the number of suburban poor increased 99% over the past decade. Brandis Friedman has the story of how some are confronting these challenges.

Author Rich Cohen joins us to talk about Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football, his new book that captures the heart of the 1985 Monsters of Midway. Read an excerpt.

Bruce Springsteen’s right-hand man Steven Van Zandt recently joined us for a wide-ranging discussion about the Boss, The Sopranos, and why he thinks The Rascals is one of the greatest American bands ever. During his visit to our studio, we also recorded a web extra conversation—which we are broadcasting on Chicago Tonight. Read an Artbeat blog about Van Zandt, view a behind-the-scenes slideshow of his visit to our studio, and watch a web extra conversation.

We share what you had to say about state employee pensions in tonight's viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his guests take a closer look at the Chicago Cubs trial run of new signage at Wrigley Field, and the rooftop owners strenuous objections. Watch the web extra conversation.

The Chicago Police Department announced crime is down, but its overtime costs will be three times higher than expected. Is the drop sustainable or just a band-aid on a longer term problem?

The Federal Reserve will continue propping up the economy, saying Washington is to blame for impeding economic growth. We hear from economists about the prospects of improvement as the nation heads toward its next fiscal deadlines.