Stories by WTTW News

This week, we gave you a sneak peek at the city's next beautification project. Originally known as the "The Bloomingdale Trail," the giant abandoned railway on the northwest side will soon get a major facelift and new name - "The 606." We have some of your thoughts about the changes to a piece of the city's history in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

The one-day Springfield special session comes and goes with the fate of pension reform now in the hands of a committee. Find out who is on that committee.

Citing the state’s inability to deal with a crippling financial crisis, Bill Daley is stepping into the governor’s race. We talk with the former White House Chief of Staff. View a timeline of Daley's career.

Sources tell Chicago Tonight that a long-awaited deal on a gaming bill was reached last month -- until a clerical misunderstanding killed it. Paris Schutz has details, and what it says about the current state of dysfunction in Springfield.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Daley offers a three-point plan for pension reform, calling Gov. Pat Quinn out for "failed leadership." Daley is calling on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to issue an opinion on the constitutionality of pension reform bills. Watch the full news conference.

Bernie Sahlins, co-founder of The Second City and mentor to John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray, died over the weekend at age 90. We remember Bernie Sahlins in his own words – from his visit to WTTW studios in February 2004. Watch his appearance from our archives.

We have some of your thoughts about our recent interviews with Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and with Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford 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 pros and cons of the city’s bike share program, and its political ramifications for Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Also, they delve further into the possibility of a school property tax hike, and what impact that would have on voters in the 2015 mayoral election.

Chicago Police arrest alleged street gang members in the first prosecution under the Illinois Street Gang RICO law, designed to hold gang leaders accountable for violence. Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez and other officials held a press conference to discuss the takedown. Watch the web extra video.

We share what you had to say about Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis's appearance on our show this week in tonight's viewer feedback.

A flood watch is in effect for the region from 4:00 pm Wednesday afternoon until 4:00 am Thursday morning. We chat with WGN-TV’s chief meteorologist Tom Skilling about what to expect, and how to protect your family and property.

Top lawmaker Tom Cross accuses House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton of playing politics to hold up pension reform. Paris Schutz has the story.

Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, columnist, reporter and television analyst. Since 2011, he has written a column for Bloomberg View, a worldwide commentary site housed under Bloomberg News. The Chicago native joins us to discuss his new book, The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies. Read an excerpt.

Last Sunday, the Tony Awards had a strong Chicago accent. Steppenwolf Theatre’s Broadway production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? won Tonys for “Best Revival,” “Best Director” and “Best Actor, Tracy Letts.” Before it went to Broadway, the show played at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and we spoke with some of the principal actors. Watch a web extra video.

Hoping to make some progress on pension reform before next week's special session, Governor Quinn calls a meeting with the General Assembly's legislative leaders. Paris Schutz has the latest from their meeting. 

The Blackhawks are back in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Legendary Hawks broadcaster Pat Foley is here with a preview.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett joins us to discuss her Five Year Plan. 

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists examine the shaping race for the Republican gubernatorial primary in this web extra conversation.

The National Security Agency is collecting phone records of Verizon wireless customers. We dig through the legal implications of doing this, and if this truly is an effective way to counter terrorism.

We asked for your thoughts about the Chicago Sun-Times' decision to lay off their entire photo staff. We read what some of you had to say in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

The Chicago City Council passed the mayor's revised parking meter deal by 39-11. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez has paid more than $500,000 in taxpayer money to a Chicago lobbyist, according to USA Today. Paul Singer, the author of the article, joins us.

Springfield’s inability to reform the state’s pension system has all sorts of consequences: for unions, for the markets, and for taxpayers across the state. We discuss the future with some of the key players.

Chicago Public Schools says 78 percent of students from closed schools have already enrolled in their new schools. But parents say the process is too difficult. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.