Stories by Kristen Thometz

Last week, state lawmakers passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to cut retirement benefits for some city workers. Even though the bill left out a controversial property tax hike provision, Gov. Pat Quinn has yet to sign the legislation. We discuss the effect Chicago’s reform could have statewide, and other topics, with our panel of Illinois lawmakers. Read an article.

Maggie Daley Park is taking shape with the addition of white building blocks called GeoFoam. We tell you how that will form the rolling hills of the park and how soon it may be open to the public. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Scientists are forecasting that El Niño – a weather pattern that brings warmer than average temperatures to the U.S. – will likely develop later this year. We discuss what El Niño means for Chicago’s upcoming seasons with Paul Sirvatka, professor of meteorology at the College of DuPage. Read an interview.

A documentary airing on WTTW11 Monday titled The Trials of Muhammad Ali profiles the boxing legend's years in exile and court fight for freedom. Director Bill Siegel joins us. View a timeline of Ali's career.

We share what you had to say about the possibility of a Star Wars museum in Chicago and concerns that Cook County's employee computer system may have been hacked in tonight's viewer feedback.

Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn and Republican Challenger Bruce Rauner agreed on one thing at Friday’s appearance before a giant crowd of suburban and downstate teachers union members. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the ramifications of the Northwestern football team’s effort to unionize. Watch the web extra video.

Cardinal Francis George says he’s asked the Vatican to begin the process to find a successor to take over as Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. George appeared before reporters Friday morning, a few days after undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in his kidney and liver. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

ReptileFest, a women's film festival, and a fashion show; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Is White Mystery too wild for Chicago Tonight or just wild enough?

George Lucas’s Star Wars museum could land in Chicago. Married to Chicago investment executive Mellody Hobson, Lucas has called Chicago his “second home” and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is rolling out the red carpet in a bid to capture the new museum. We discuss Chicago’s chances. Read an interview with Don Welsh, Choose Chicago CEO and President.

Next Door is the place people frequent when they can’t get any work done at home, when they are looking for extra space to hold a meeting, and where they want to network and collaborate with like creative minds. It’s also the place where they receive financial coaching and discover their inner awesome. Read an article and view a slideshow.

In a post-recession economy, many people are fearful of credit and credit card debt. But one program is helping people with poor or no credit get credit cards. Brandis Friedman explains why this program is actually helpful. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

New York Times obituary writer Bruce Weber was teetering between life and death, and questioning what it all meant in 2011. To cope, he took his second bike ride across the country. We talk with Weber about his ride experience and the book that arose from his meditation. Read an interview and a book excerpt.

ReptileFest returns to the University of Illinois at Chicago this weekend, bringing with it hundreds of species of reptiles and amphibians from all over the world. Chicago Herpetological Society president John Archer and "Frog Lady" Deb Krohn visit our studios to give us a preview of some of the creatures we can expect to see this weekend. View an interactive graphic and behind-the-scenes slideshow of reptiles.

In part three of our Vivian Maier series, Jay Shefsky introduces us to several people trying to unravel the mystery of the celebrated photographer.

We share what you had to say about Chicago crime, the city's apparent shortage of ambulances, and Jay Shefsky's profile of an owl-loving nature photographer in tonight's viewer feedback.

There is concern today that the Cook County employee computer system may have been hacked. Read an article.

At the request of five aldermen, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is calling to restore paid Sunday parking on the north and northwest sides of the city. Merchants in these areas claim that parking can be difficult for customers when there is no time limit enforced. We discuss the measure with Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). Read an article and view a map of streets with free Sunday parking that could be affected by this legislation.

Susan Herman, president of the American Civil Liberties Union, joins us to discuss her book, Taking Liberties: The War on Terror and the Erosion of American Democracy. Read a book excerpt and view a timeline of laws designed to prevent future terrorist attacks.

Our science guy, Neil Shubin, is back to talk about the new PBS three-part series based on his bestselling book, Your Inner Fish. Watch a preview and read an overview of the series.

In part two of Jay Shefsky's series on photographer Vivian Maier, we meet other owners of her remarkable archive and explore the international explosion of interest in her work.

It's a victory for Mayor Rahm Emanuel as Chicago pension reform passes the Illinois General Assembly and heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for approval. Paris Schutz has the very latest details. View our interactive vote graphics to see how House and Senate members voted on the bill.

The Illinois Senate passes Mayor Rahm Emanuel's pension reform bill. View our interactive graphic to see how Senate members voted.

The Illinois House passed Mayor Rahm Emanuel's revised pension reform bill today in Springfield. View an interactive vote graphic to see how House members voted.