Stories by WTTW News

Mayor Daley's nephew Robert Vanecko has left the real estate company he founded, after it came under scrutiny for the way it invested city pension funds. Elizabeth Brackett caught up with Allison Davis, Vanecko's partner and Daley supporter. Watch extended interview with Allison Davis

The Illinois Legislature has not yet approved a budget and is once again facing an overtime session. What effect will this dynamic have on the process? Carol Marin and her panel of legislators weigh in.

With some of America's biggest banks repaying the government billions of dollars in bailout funds, is it a sign that the economy is on the rebound, or have we yet to hit rock bottom? It's tonight's focus on The Bottom Line.

Egyptian gods, superheroes, wild animals and more. Geoffrey Baer shows us some amazing and easily overlooked ornamentation hiding in plain sight on the facades of Chicago's old buildings. Watch Hidden Chicago

Former Cook County state's attorney Ed Hanrahan died yesterday at the age of 88. We look back at a 2005 story about the Black Panther raid that ended his political career

See and hear the hammered dulcimer in an entirely new light -- or perhaps for the very first time. We have a performance from the Chicago native known as the "Jimi Hendrix" of this unique instrument. Dulcimer Fest Max ZT

Gov. Pat Quinn had another meeting with legislative leaders this afternoon. Rich Samuels reports on their progress as they work to end the state's budget crisis.

Mayor Daley has been taking plenty of heat for his nephew's involvement in city employee pension investments. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look at the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between family and politics.

In our ongoing Chicago Matters series Beyond Burnham, we find out more about the debate concerning Chicago's soil and rubble reuse ordinance.

A new approach to cancer treatment has emerged that emphasizes treating the patient, not the disease. We hear from the President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on how this approach may change the course of cancer therapy for patients everywhere.

We visit an unusual bike shop in the Woodlawn neighborhood, where kids learn from -- and work with -- adult mechanics. And they can earn...a bike. Blackstone Bicycle Works

Hedy Weiss calls it "magic." Lookingglass Theater remounts "Arabian Nights," the show that put the company on the theater map more than a decade ago. She joins us with her full review of this show and two other productions. "Arabian Nights" "The Crowd You're in With" "A Minister's Wife"

Chicago Alderman Isaac Carothers pleaded not guilty today to bribery and fraud charges. However, an admission of guilt could lie ahead, and Rich Samuels tells us why.

Exactly who is accepted into the University of Illinois -- and who is not -- has created a firestorm of controversy in recent days. Carol Marin sits down with a representative from the university, a state lawmaker calling for resignations, and a Chicago Tribune journalist who helped break the story.

Reports say that control of the Tribune Company may be taken over by lenders. Will Sam Zell still be running the show? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's Noon Business Hour joins us with the details.

Two Chicago teenagers witness what is considered the "Super Bowl of rowing" and are inspired to reach for the stars. Christian Farr brings us the story of their journey to London in a follow-up to a story we brought you a year ago about the Chicago Training Center's unique rowing program.

Five Illinois residents, including two in Chicago, have died from the H1N1 flu virus. City public health officials are here to tell us what has changed about the virus in the last few months, and whether or not a vaccine is close.

We learn about the fine art of art restoration when we visit the headquarters of a major Chicago art conservator. The Chicago Conservation Center Zolla/Lieberman Gallery

We hear what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Mayor Daley put on the defensive again by Chicago's parking meter deal; Red-light camera ticket violations could cost $125 if Ald. Ed Burke has his way; Patti Blagojevich defends her husband on national TV in a Costa Rican jungle; slain Chicago police officer Alex Valadez caught in the crossfire of gang violence; Chicago cop Anthony Abbate guilty of aggravated battery for beating up a female bartender on video tape; the White Sox call up first-round draft pick Gordon Beckham; and Blues legend Koko Taylor dies.

State Rep. Deborah Mell sits down with Carol Marin and talks about the special challenges of being Rod Blagojevich's sister-in-law during her freshman year in the Illinois legislature.

Nearly 3 million additional people are expected in the region in the next three decades, and preparing for this increase is no easy task. The chairman of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning explains how the organization is planning for the region's future. Go to 2040

We hear your response to the city's parking meter mess when we read some of our viewer mail.

She was known as the "Queen of the Blues." Chicago's Koko Taylor died yesterday at the age of 80. We revisit Phil Ponce's 2007 interview with Taylor and hear some of her legendary music.

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on accusations against LAZ Parking, the operator of the city's meters, for not complying with the city's minority and women-owned business requirements.

The Chicago school of economics was developed at the University of Chicago in the 1950s, but now some are saying the "Chicago approach" is to blame for the economic collapse. It's the focus of tonight's edition of The Bottom Line.