Stories by Kristen Thometz

Researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Chicago are part of a team developing a visual prosthesis that aims to restore partial vision in people who have become blind.

A second judge has tossed a case brought by former Gov. Pat Quinn calling for the Chicago Board of Education to be transformed into an elected body.

Hollywood produced its biggest plot twist ever at the Academy Awards featuring a best picture winner with Chicago ties.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Jesse Ruiz on how the district lost its “moral high ground” because of school budget cuts.

We share some of your reactions to our 4th Ward aldermanic forum.

The nation’s prison system was in the spotlight last week at an event hosted by Chicago Ideas and the New York-based Vera Institute of Justice.

The heightened potential of a state employee strike did nothing to sway Gov. Bruce Rauner, who on Friday swiftly dismissed the notion of returning to the bargaining table with AFSCME.

Chicago Public Schools announced Friday it will return $15 million in frozen discretionary funds to high-poverty district schools, citing a “disproportionate impact” that freeze had on predominantly African-American and Hispanic schools.

At least 16 states have legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes. Could Illinois be next?

Emanuel won’t honor Trump’s rollback of transgender student rights, and Chicago schools will refuse entry to immigration agents without a warrant. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.

Inspired by President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, a team of local journalists launched a website this week to tell the stories of immigrants and refugees living in Chicago.

Watch the Feb. 23, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Illinois public officials and school districts weigh in on which bathroom or locker room a transgender student should use. 

Editors from Trains Magazine tell us why Chicago is America's railroad capital.

Debate over how an elite North Shore high school should present a seminar on civil rights and racism.

The longtime speaker announced Thursday he has appointed a dozen House Democrats to address unanswered questions in the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission’s final report and draw up equitable school funding reform legislation.

A stunning confession in the most notorious civil rights case of the 20th century.

The Chicago River is a lot cleaner than it used to be. And after years of litigation, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and environmental groups have agreed to a settlement and will work together to make the river even cleaner. 

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is serving up a gothic new staging of the Stephen Sondheim hit “Sweeney Todd.” We discuss that show and other new productions, with the Chicago Sun-Times dance and theater critic.

Live blues, a jazz fest and a vintage pop-up show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The ASPIRA teachers union issued a near-unanimous vote Wednesday evening in favor of walking off the job in what would be the nation’s first-ever charter school teachers strike.

With nearly 20,000 homeless youth in Chicago, an all-night benefit aims to raise awareness and funds for 13 homeless agencies, shelters and drop-in centers. Learn more.

A group of Southeast Side residents and activists met Tuesday night to formulate a plan for confronting the latest threat of pollution in one of Chicago’s most industrialized areas.

In the depths of a Chicago winter – and especially when there's a winter heat wave – sometimes you just have to get outside. But what if you’re not one for skiing or skating? We decided to go fish.

Watch the Feb. 22, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

NASA said earlier this week it had a major announcement coming Wednesday. What an announcement it turned out to be.