Stories by Matt Masterson

The defendants include two Harvey police officers, a private consultant to the city and two cousins with “high-ranking relatives” inside the city’s government.

From Meryl Streep to ventriloquist dummies, Laurie Simmons has had some unusual collaborators. We take a look at a career-spanning show by a photographer who populates fantastic worlds.

Over the past two years, a newly formed coalition of health care institutions and professionals has raised $10.5 million to fund initiatives it deems vital to improving the life expectancy of West Side residents.

A new Northwestern study is the first to show that female scientists receive less money when applying for federal grants than their male counterparts. 

Former Rep. Aaron Schock of Illinois has agreed to repay tens of thousands of dollars in taxes and to campaign committees in exchange for prosecutors dismissing his felony corruption case.

R&B star R. Kelly cried, stood up and ranted about being “assassinated” during his first interview since being charged with sexual abuse, calling his accusers “liars.” 

A stunning program interlaced the formidable talents of dancers and choreographers from each company, suggesting that the two, if not quite identical twins, are the very closest of kissing cousins, different only in some distinctive rhythmic impulses.

Affordable housing, neighborhood overcrowding and transparency over TIF funds are dogging the massive Lincoln Yards proposal. The latest on that and other big development projects.

Watch the March 5, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Children who are regularly exposed to coal tar-based pavement sealants are 38 times more likely to develop cancer, according to the environmental group the Sierra Club. 

Nadia Bull, an auxiliary police officer in a western suburb of Chicago, claims her department “turned a blind eye” after she was forced into sex and sexually harassed by her superiors for years.

WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer has explored almost every inch of the Chicago area in TV specials for more than 20 years. On Tuesday, he hits the road – and stops by to tell us about his adventures.

Last month, the big-box store announced a second round of cuts as it phases out store greeters in favor of a more demanding customer host role. A local disability advocate calls the move “shortsighted.”

The outgoing 20th Ward alderman is set to appear at a change-of-plea hearing on March 21. He was charged in 2016 with 15 federal charges including fraud, bribery and extortion.

A top U.S. regulator wants to meet with Walgreens leaders to discuss whether the drugstore chain has a problem with illegal tobacco sales to minors.

Hillary Clinton says she won't run for president in 2020, but vows she’s “not going anywhere.”

Michael Cohen’s attorney Michael Monico shares his thoughts on his client’s testimony before Congress.

Watch the March 4, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

The Chicago Police Department now has a monitor to oversee big reforms. The latest on the appointment and what it means for policing moving forward.

For more than half a century, a plant at the Garfield Park Conservatory has been growing slowly and imperceptibly. Until last fall. We visit the rapidly ascending century plant.

British director Richard Jones has attempted to yank Handel’s rarely mounted Baroque opera into a more modern era by devising a wholly gratuitous, meaningless and needlessly coarse vision of the work. I just didn’t buy it.

The unnamed pup, born Dec. 15, can be seen alongside his mom on select days in the zoo’s “Tropic World: Africa” exhibit.

A veteran Chicago police sergeant claims he was demoted after refusing to approve a report he believed would falsely justify the officer-involved shooting of an unarmed teen in 2017.

The health system said in a recent financial filing that the exposed data may include names, addresses, birthdays, Social Security numbers and health insurance information.

Luke Perry, who gained instant heartthrob status as wealthy rebel Dylan McKay on "Beverly Hills, 90210," died Monday after suffering a massive stroke, his publicist said. He was 52.

Autopsies have determined that a Joliet man shot and killed his girlfriend and their two children before he fatally shot himself as police initially believed.