Stories by Marc Vitali

Founded in 1923, the private for-profit school at 332 S. Michigan Ave. built a reputation on preparing graduates for careers in art and illustration.

Ahead of Fourth of July celebrations, local first responders and health care workers are reminding residents to practice firework safety by leaving fireworks to the professionals.

Steppenwolf Theatre commissioned a powerful new play receiving the strongest reviews of the summer on the Chicago stage. “Little Bear Ridge Road” stars Laurie Metcalf in her return to Steppenwolf after a 14-year absence.

A Chicago educator is on a mission to take off with Chicago’s Black and Brown girls and explore the world of aviation.

Eli Lilly’s Kisunla was approved for mild or early cases of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. It’s only the second drug that’s been convincingly shown to delay cognitive decline in patients, following last year’s approval of a similar drug from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a series of challenges to Illinois’ assault weapons ban — for now — but a pair of justices indicated a willingness to take up the case in the future.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Tuesday released videos showing the fatal May 27 shooting of Tracey Watson, who was killed in the middle of the 300 block of South Cicero Avenue during an altercation with a second man.

A long holiday weekend is a great opportunity for Chicagoans to play tourist in their hometown, but with the NASCAR Street Race set to circle Grant Park July 6-7, what’s even open to visit?

The decision is expected to have a sweeping impact on policies for the unhoused, but local advocates are hoping the effect will be muted in Chicago and Illinois.

A new court ruling allows cities to ban homeless individuals from sleeping outside. What does it mean for Chicago? And the city’s piping plover family just got a bit bigger.

Residents of south suburban Matteson were in for a shock the morning of June 27 when a major freight train derailment caused nearly 25 cars to fall off the tracks, resulting in a temporary evacuation order for up to 300 people.

Voters in all seven states that have had abortion questions before voters since 2022 — California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont — have sided with abortion rights supporters.

Starting Monday, Illinois residents without U.S. citizenship can receive a standard driver’s license as part of a new law that aims to reduce instances of discrimination. The standard driver’s license replaces Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses, used by more than 300,000 Illinois residents.

In a historic 6-3 ruling, the justices said for the first time that former presidents have absolute immunity from prosecution for their official acts and no immunity for unofficial acts.

Piping plover chicks have also recently hatched at Illinois Beach State Park.

Five people were killed by gunfire over the weekend across Chicago, including a trio who were fatally shot Sunday morning in Greater Grand Crossing.

The story of Carmen, that gypsy girl of southern Spain who set men on fire, began as a novella in 1845 and was turned into a beloved opera in 1875. “Carmen.maquia” is a dynamic interpretation on stage at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children in the 5 to 14 age group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The SAFE-T Act included a provision known as the Pretrial Fairness Act that ended the use of cash bail in Illinois, meaning a person cannot be jailed while awaiting trial simply because they can’t afford a dollar amount assigned by a judge.

Martin Mull, whose droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development,” has died, his daughter said.

President Joe Biden tries to shore up support after a shaky debate. CPD’s mass arrest policy for DNC protests raises alarms. And former Ald. Ed Burke is sentenced to just two years on corruption charges.

Let’s hear it for the girls, and for the 1960s — a decade of liberation and change, change, change, especially for American women. “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical” brings the decade to life, writes WTTW News theater critic Hedy Weiss.

Abortion remains legal as an emergency medical procedure in Idaho, for now, after a Thursday U.S. Supreme Court ruling, while a bill that would cement those protections in Illinois law awaits Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s signature.

Chicago police will be canceling days off and staffing an “abundance” of officers along the route of the city’s Pride Parade this Sunday.

The 2012 Cup Series champion and Roush-Fenway-Keselowski team co-owner talks street racing, skyline views and his love for the city.

A raspy and sometimes halting President Joe Biden tried repeatedly to confront Donald Trump in their first debate ahead of the November election.