Stories by Kristen Thometz

Republican candidates for Illinois Lieutenant Governor -- Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, and Jil Tracy -- gave a brief news conference following the forum. Read an article.

For the first time in Illinois, the Lieutenant Governor candidates are running with a candidate for governor. We meet the four Republican candidates and hear their vision for their jobs, and for Illinois. Read an article and a recap of our live online chat.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of Illinois' 2014 March Primary Elections. We’ve gathered information here about the growing Republican and Democrat fields, and some of the key issues in the races. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Early voting started March 3 and the general primary is on Tuesday, March 18. Candidate Forums: Wednesday, March 5: GOP Senate Forum: Doug Truax (Jim Oberweis declined our invitation to participate) Thursday, March 6: Lt. Governor Forum: Maria Rodriguez, Steve Kim, Jil Tracy, Evelyn Sanguinetti Monday, March 10: GOP Treasurer Forum: Tom Cross and Bob Grogan Thursday, March 13: GOP Governor Forum: Bill Brady, Kirk Dillard, Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford

“Would you like to subscribe to public television, or would you prefer a knee to the groin?”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ordinance in today's Chicago City Council meeting banning new petroleum coke facilities and blocking expansion of existing facilities. The ordinance is co-sponsored by Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and Ald. John Pope (10th). Elizabeth Brackett has the details on that, and other City Council news.

Downers Grove businessman Doug Truax and entrepreneur Jim Oberweis are competing in the Republican Primary for the opportunity to take on incumbent U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Truax joins us. Oberweis has declined our invitation to participate. Read an article, and view bios and career timelines of the candidates.

The CNN series Chicagoland debuts this week. We talk with series producer Yoav Attias and Pulitzer prize-winning Chicago journalist and co-writer, co-producer and series narrator, Mark Konkol, about the dichotomy of Chicago, and the picture it paints of the city on a national stage. Read an article about the Chicago premiere.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for Illinois Treasurer. You can read profiles of the candidates and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Tuesday, Oct. 21: Illinois Treasurer Forum

Love him or not, people want to know: what was Sting like? Honestly, I was in King Sting’s galaxy for exactly 14 minutes last Thursday in a room with a lot of other people. If you want a real take on his personality, you should ask someone who’s known him for at least 15 minutes.

As Russian troops tighten their grip on Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and Western powers scramble to respond, we talk with Chicagoan and former U.S. ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder.

Just weeks before Gov. Pat Quinn is set to make his budget address, government watchdog group The Civic Federation releases a proposal it says will balance the state’s budget. The plan would pay down the state’s backlog, but would impose a tax on pension and social security income. Civic Federation President Laurence Msall and State Director for AARP Illinois Bob Gallo discuss how the proposal could affect retirees. Read the full report.

The majority of Chicago Public Schools students in 3rd-8th grade are taking the ISAT test this week, though parent groups who oppose the test say the number of students who have opted out of the test continues to rise. Elizabeth Brackett reports. Watch a web extra video interview with Sarah Chambers, a teacher at Saucedo Scholastic Academy.

Elizabeth Brackett was there as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jimmy Fallon, along with thousands of others, hit the frigid Lake Michigan waters on Sunday for this year's Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Read her blog, watch videos and see photos.

The first wave of concealed carry licenses in Illinois are ready to be printed and sent to their new owners. Brandis Friedman has an update on the process.

Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of the 2014 race for the U.S. Senate. You can read profiles of the candidates, view timelines of their careers, and catch all of their appearances on Chicago Tonight. Wednesday, Oct. 22: U.S. Senate Candidate Forum

As the March 31st deadline for Affordable Care Act enrollment draws closer, we check in with Illinois Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas and director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, about the number of state residents enrolled and the final month of the program. Read an article.

Sting talks to us about his riskiest project to date – writing the upcoming musical The Last Ship, inspired by the shipyard in his hometown of Wallsend, England. Read a blog, watch a web extra video, and view a photo gallery.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists delve further into the Blackhawks/Penguins game at Soldier Field, the Chicagoland series debuting March 6 on CNN, and why late-night host Jimmy Fallon is taking a polar plunge in Lake Michigan. Watch the web extra video.

A polar plunge, a tour of Chicago's theater district, and a zombie maze game; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart are being sued for an alleged culture of brutality and violence at Cook County Jail. Paris Schutz has the details.

Mike Webster is a Republican running for Secretary of State against incumbent Jesse White.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy joins us to discuss the increased use of the so-called Hug-A-Thug interventions, whether the severe weather has played a role in Chicago’s declining crime rate, and the impact that the capture of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán may have on drugs and gangs in Chicago.

Illinois is now rated as the least credit-worthy state in the nation. It seems increasingly likely that some form of state tax reform must be a part of any plan to address the state’s long-term fiscal woes. But what type of reform? State Rep. David McSweeney and State Rep. Christian Mitchell debate the merits of a progressive vs. a flat tax. View an infographic from Reboot Illinois for a nationwide overview on taxes.

New research shows that the combination of mentoring and intensive tutoring can make up for three years' worth of lost learning for 9th and 10th grade boys who were previously at risk of dropping out down the road. Brandis Friedman has the story. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman joins us with a sneak peek at the 2014 season. Read more about the concert season.