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New State Law Aims to Bridge Racial, Economic Divide in Drug Trials

A recent review of government-funded cancer research studies found that the participants were disproportionately white. A new state law attempts to fix that.

Coalition Works Toward 20% Reduction in Chicago Gun Violence

What’s behind the spike in gun violence this year? And what can be done to stanch it? As part of our WTTW Firsthand initiative, we take a closer look at the problem – and possible solutions.

Meet the Chicago Artist Behind ‘Grace and Frankie’

Lily Tomlin plays an artist on the popular Netflix series “Grace and Frankie,” but she isn’t creating the art. It’s actually made in Chicago by artist Nancy Rosen. We visit her studio to learn more.

How ‘Hood Feminism’ Picks Up Where Mainstream Feminism Fails

In her new book, Chicago native and author Mikki Kendall offers a critique of mainstream feminism. She joins us to discuss “Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot.”

Survey: 81% of Illinois Residents Worry About Future Cost of Health Care

According to a new survey, four out of five Illinois residents are concerned about being able to afford some aspect of health care in the future, such as prescription drugs and health insurance.

Crain’s Headlines: Dow Plunges 1,000 Points Amid Coronavirus Fears

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down more than 1,000 points Monday — the worst one-day performance in two years for the blue-chip index, as fears increased over the global economic shock of coronavirus.

Young Musicians Keep Civic Orchestra Vital on its 100th Birthday

Chicago is home to the only training orchestra in North America. And while it’s blooming with youth, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago is turning 100 this season. We sit in on a rehearsal to hear the dynamic sound that only an orchestra can make.

‘Mlima’s Tale’ Traces Global Trail of Destruction of a Grand, Endangered Creature

Lynn Nottage’s 2018 play about the savage slaughter and potential decimation of Africa’s “big tusk” elephant population, and the illicit trade in ivory that drives it, is a stunning piece of work – equal parts poetry, ritual and an anatomy of corruption.

February 24, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Feb. 24, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Crackdown on Immigrants Who Use Public Benefits Takes Effect

The guidelines that aim to determine whether immigrants seeking legal residency are likely to become a government burden are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to reduce immigration, particularly among poorer people.

Jussie Smollett Pleads Not Guilty to New Disorderly Conduct Charges

The former “Empire” star appeared at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Monday, almost a year to the day after he first entered a similar plea in the initial case against him.

Paczki Day is So Nice, We Celebrate it Twice

Chicago’s Polish bakeries have to prep for two Paczki Days: Fat Thursday, celebrated by Poles, and Fat Tuesday, celebrated by everyone else.

Local Teens Say High School Class Prepared Them to Respond to Emergencies

Two students who took a biomedical science class in the northwest suburbs say the program prepared them for stressful real-life situations. “Everyone should know what goes on in the body and how things work,” said Sarah Touhy.

Karenna Gore Has Some Inconvenient Truths of Her Own to Share About Climate Change

The daughter of former Vice President Al Gore is founder of the Center for Earth Ethics, which frames the environmental crisis in moral terms. She tells us about her work ahead of her appearance this week at a climate change forum in Chicago.

The Week in Review: Blagojevich Returns Home as ‘Freed Political Prisoner’

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is boisterous and unrepentant as he returns home, singing the praises of President Trump. Meanwhile, Gov. J.B. Pritzker pushes a progressive tax in his budget address.

Cook County Cold-Related Deaths Rise to 32

On Friday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office reported four new cold-related deaths in the county.

CPS Watchdog Finds ‘Unusual Patterns’ in District’s NWEA Testing Practices

District contends findings don’t “call into question the accomplishments of our students”

CPS Inspector General Nicholas Schuler said analyses conducted by his office found possible “gaming and cheating techniques,” including longer than average test durations and high numbers of pauses.

Inmate Dubbed the ‘Starved Rock Killer’ Freed After 59 Years

An 80-year-old man who spent nearly 60 years in prison after being convicted of killing one of three suburban Chicago women whose brutalized bodies were found in a state park walked out of prison Friday.

CSO Infuses Beethoven Classics With New Energy and Captures Ophelia’s Descent Into Madness

What Maestro Riccardo Muti and the orchestra have made continually clear throughout this year of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth is how thrillingly modern the composer’s work can feel. 

TV Analyst? Spokesman? Freed Ex-Gov. Blagojevich Goes Job Hunting

Fresh out of prison thanks to a commutation this week from President Donald Trump, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in the hunt for a post-prison career. 

Lincoln Park High School Staffer Removed After ‘Altercation’ With Student

This marks the latest incident at a school that has already seen multiple administrators removed and several investigations launched in recent weeks.

Gloves Come Off in Democratic Debate Over Medicare for All

One particular issue keeps rising to the top of voters’ concerns this primary season. Medicare for All took center stage at the democratic debate in Las Vegas this week – and the candidates pulled no punches.

A Summit at UIC Aims to Make Progress on Poverty

Poverty was front and center at a summit Thursday at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where local policymakers, union leaders, employers and academics focused on how to end poverty in Chicago within a generation.

MSI Chicago Celebrates 50 Years of African American Artists

Chicago artists talk about the long-term impact of the museum’s annual Black Creativity exhibit.

Lightfoot: Revised Chicago Casino Proposal ‘Good for Illinois’

A one-on-one with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who spent part of the week in Springfield lobbying lawmakers to approve a bill that would ease some of the casino taxes and fees. We discuss that and more with the mayor.

Creating the State Street of the Future, Again

Every year, millions of people visit State Street in the heart of Chicago’s Loop. But is the street working the way it should? That’s the question the Chicago Loop Alliance is asking as it considers what State Street could be.
 

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