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New Technique for Repairing Old Water Lines Could Save Neighborhood Trees

Water line repairs can be a costly mess. But what if there was a way to fix old water mains without tearing up streets, and old trees? There actually is, and Chicago is dipping into the waters of this technology with a pilot program. 

Crain’s Headlines: Lightfoot Administration Rolls Out Pot Plan

The Lightfoot administration makes its first moves to regulate the recreational marijuana industry, releasing guidelines on where the new businesses can locate. And here’s the catch: they’re all outside the city’s central business district.

Should Chicago Increase Its Minimum Wage to $15 by 2021?

At a City Council hearing on Tuesday, committee members discussed a proposal to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2021. Activists say it’s long overdue. But could it hurt small businesses? We debate the issue.

Kim Foxx Hopes to ‘Right Wrongs of the Past’ With Pot Expungements

A new partnership between the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and a nonprofit could help clear tens of thousands of low-level marijuana convictions from Cook County records. State’s Attorney Kim Foxx explains.

An Advice Columnist Taps into the Pain, Poetry and ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ of Life

In 2010, Cheryl Strayed rather reluctantly agreed to write an unpaid online advice column under the name of “Dear Sugar.” Those columns come to life in this beauty of a show, artfully adapted for the stage by Nia Vardalos (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”).

Lawyer: Chicago Archdiocese Has Paid Out $80M to Law Firm

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has paid $80 million to victims of sexual abuse by clergy represented by a single law firm alone since 2000, the Minnesota-based attorney who heads the firm told reporters.

Lifelong Dollhouse Maker Dreams of Creating a Museum

Pat Lohenry has loved miniatures for as long as she can remember. And as a teenager, she went from playing with them to making them. Today, her basement is full of her creations.

September 17, 2019 - Full Show

Watch the Sept. 17, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Cokie Roberts, Longtime Political Journalist, Dies at 75

Cokie Roberts, the daughter of politicians who grew up to cover the family business in Washington for ABC News and NPR over several decades, died Tuesday in Washington of complications from breast cancer. She was 75.

Ocasio-Cortez Backs Liberal Challenger to Dem Congressman

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is making her first endorsement of a liberal challenger to an incumbent House Democrat, backing Marie Newman in the primary against eight-term Rep. Daniel Lipinski in Illinois.

Many US Women Say 1st Sexual Experience Was Forced in Teens

The first sexual experience for 1 in 16 U.S. women was forced or coerced intercourse in their early teens, encounters that for some may have had lasting health repercussions, a study suggests.

Indiana, Illinois AGs Investigate After Fetal Remains Found

Indiana’s attorney general said Monday that he will work with his Illinois counterpart to investigate what he called the “grisly discovery” of more than 2,000 medically preserved fetal remains at the Illinois home of a late doctor who performed abortions in Indiana.

General Iron Deal Spurs Debate About Land Use, Air Quality

A longtime scrap metal recycler reaches a deal with the city to close up shop at its location next to the Lincoln Yards site and move operations to the Southeast Side. But not everyone is happy about it.

In Joliet, Commercial Fishers Join the Fight Against Asian Carp

If Asian carp invade the Great Lakes, experts say the fish would have a devastating effect on the marine food chain and the region’s $7 billion fishing industry. We get a look at efforts to keep them out of Illinois waterways.

The Reparations Debate is Heading to City Council

A new resolution on reparations is scheduled to be introduced in City Council this week. Alds. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward) and Nick Sposato (38th Ward) weigh in on the topic.

Basketball Diplomacy Takes a Great Theatrical Leap Forward at Steppenwolf

Playwright Lauren Yee possesses a special gift for animating and personalizing history, and for penning exceptionally dynamic dialogue. And although not a single basketball is dropped into a hoop during “The Great Leap,” the sport comes to life.

Crain’s Headlines: Amazon Adds 400 Jobs to Chicago Office

The retail giant is roughly doubling the number of employees in its Loop office. But these aren’t warehouse jobs – the new hires that will work in fields including cloud computing, advertising and business development. 

Author Paul Tough on ‘How College Makes or Breaks Us’

College admissions have been major news in recent months after a bribery scam came to light. A new book explores how the higher education system is failing many low-income students and students of color.

New Book Pegs Trump’s Rise to Evolution of Modern Television

A conversation with “Audience of One” author James Poniewozik, the chief television critic for the New York Times.

Business is Buzzing This Summer for a Chicago Beekeeper on Wheels

It’s a job as old as time, but one Chicagoan is beekeeping in her own unique way. Meet graphic designer-turned-beekeeper Jana Kinsman.

Allison Arwady Nominated to Become CDPH Commissioner

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has nominated Dr. Allison Arwady to become the next commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. Arwady has been serving as acting commissioner since June.

Lightfoot Proposes Citywide Ban on Flavored E-Cigarette Products

As underage vaping and hospitalizations linked to vaping continue to rise, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for a citywide ban on flavored e-cigarette products. “The dangers are manifesting themselves literally every day. We must act and we will,” she said.

September 16, 2019 - Full Show

Watch the Sept. 16, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Rocker Ric Ocasek, Frontman of The Cars, Dead at 75

Ric Ocasek, The Cars frontman whose deadpan vocal delivery and lanky, sunglassed look defined a rock era with chart-topping hits like “Just What I Needed,” was discovered dead Sunday afternoon in his Manhattan apartment.

After Bankruptcy Filing, Purdue Pharma May Not be Off Hook

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and its owners expressed sympathy but not responsibility for the nation’s opioid crisis as the company filed for bankruptcy protection late Sunday night.

Pineiro’s 53-Yard Field Goal Lifts Bears Past Broncos 16-14

Eddy Pineiro won Chicago’s nerve-wracking kicking competition. Now, he’s winning over Bears fans and teammates who suffered through the double-doink miss by Cody Parkey that sent them home from the playoffs.
 

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