Stories by Kristen Thometz
Election Officials to Decide Fate of Amendment
Will Amendment for Independent Redistricting Be on Ballot?
Will an amendment asking voters to choose whether they'd like an independent process to redraw legislative maps actually make it to the November ballot? A lot depends on what elections officials decide today. Paris Schutz has more.
Sighting of Signs
Will the Trump Tower sign start a new trend? We take a look at the history of Chicago signage, and why this topic is such a hot debate.
1871 Gets $2.5 Million State Grant for Expansion
One of Chicago's top technology incubators, 1871, is getting a substantial state grant to expand its Merchandise Mart space another 25,000 square feet.
Giant Heads Turn Heads in Millennium Park
Jaume Plensa's newest sculptures featuring giant heads open to the public this summer in Chicago's Millennium Park. We talk with the Catalan Spanish artist and sculptor on his inspiration behind his latest installation.
New Discovery Questions Earth's Origins
After a decades long search, scientists have found a vast reserve of water 400 miles beneath the Earth's surface that could support new theories on how the planet formed.
Jon Langford
We revisit a profile of Wales native and Chicago rocker Jon Langford, whose latest project involves melding songs and paintings.
Chicago Released from Shakman Decree
A judge declares the city of Chicago free of a 45-year lawsuit regarding political hiring. But is patronage really dead? Paris Schutz has the latest.
Stabilizing Iraq
Should the United States Get Involved?
With Iraq on the brink of imploding as city after city falls to fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS), we talk to a panel of experts about how we reached this point and what, if anything, the United States should do.
Chicago Contenders for Obama Library
Contenders hoping to secure the future home of the Obama presidential library have until today to submit initial proposals. We take a look at some of the proposed sites locally.
Meet Chicago Public Media’s New CEO
After a nationwide search, Chicago Public Media hires Goli Sheikholeslami as its new CEO. She joins us to talk about her time on the job and vision for the future of public radio.
Tiffany Art at Driehaus Museum
We revisit a story of treasures created by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany in an amazing setting – the restored Gilded Age mansion that houses the Driehaus Museum.
Web Extra: The Week In Review: 6/13
Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines.
Weekend Events Around Town: 6/13 - 6/15
A blues festival, a food truck rally and a Father's Day cookout; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 6/13
Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.
Blues for the Taking
City’s Largest Free Music Festival Brings the Blues (and the Soul and the Funk and the Folk and the…)
This weekend the 31st annual Chicago Blues Festival electrifies Grant Park with a diverse line-up that expands the definition of the blues.
Rauner Outlines Budget Plans
Bruce Rauner says he has ideas to cut $1 billion from state government, and one of them involves chickens. But the governor calls it a budget "prank."
Techweek Cancels Controversial Event
There's controversy over a sexist Techweek event. We'll hear how sponsors have turned the outrage into a learning opportunity in the male-dominated world of tech.
Cook County Jail Faces Another Lawsuit
A former jail inmate alleges he was denied food and access to a bed or shower for days at a time in this latest complaint.
BGA Exclusive: Behind the Scenes of BP Oil Spill
Investigation Raises Questions About Oversight, More
The Indiana refinery responsible for the oil spill in Lake Michigan in March wasn't penalized by regulators. The Better Government Association raises questions about oversight and the safety of drinking water.
Ask Geoffrey: 6/12
Geoffrey Baer explores how postal workers almost foiled the plans for D-Day, Chicago's sweet history of candymakers, and a grisly Lakeview murder legend.
Remarkable Tower Restored
It was a center of innovation and commerce for 32 years. And then it went dark, unused for another 32 years. The SC Johnson Research Tower recently opened to the public for the first time ever following a major restoration. We revisit Eddie Arruza’s story.
Viewer Feedback: 6/12
Funding Chicago's Pensions & Rare Plant Painter
We share what you had to say about Chicago's newly-signed pension reform bill and Jay Shefsky's profile on a local prairie painter when read some of our viewer feedback.
Judge to Rule on Fair Maps, Term Limits Amendments
Will a judge throw out the voter-led efforts to institute term limits on lawmakers and to change the state's redistricting process? Paris Schutz has latest.
Richard Pryor, John Belushi and… Maya Angelou?
A Little-Remembered TV Moment from 1977 Blends Comedy and Tragedy
This skit is a reminder of how progressive Richard Pryor could be in pushing the boundaries of storytelling. It's also somewhat shocking by today's standards because of the provocative language used on network TV in the ‘70s.
Hillary Clinton Visits Chicago
Hillary Clinton comes to Chicago, and the former secretary of state sits down for an interview with Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Paris Schutz has the latest.
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Wildfire Smoke Blankets Chicago as Air Quality Alert Issued With ‘Hazardous’ Levels of Pollution Expected
Logan Prison Is Moving 140 Miles North. Here’s What Employees, Incarcerated Women Have to Say
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