Stories by Nicole Cardos

The 91st Academy Awards ceremony takes place Sunday night. We check in with two Chicago film critics ahead of the big night. 

The fight over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax is already being influenced by nonprofit groups that are not required to disclose their donors. 

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined his counterparts in 15 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for declaring a national emergency to build a wall on the southern U.S. border. 

In just a few years, Ron Wilson reintroduced Bowen High School’s wrestling program and turned it into a city and regional powerhouse. Now, Wilson, a special education teacher turned firefighter, continues to lead the Boilermakers. 

Gary Sinise spoke with Chicago Tonight about his new book, “Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service,” his work advocating for veterans and the history of Steppenwolf Theatre. 

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett walked out of the Cook County jail on Thursday about two hours after a hearing in which the judge set his bond at $100,000.

Researchers estimate that more than one million pangolins have been taken from the wild over the past decade as demand has soared for their meat and scales. What one local institution is doing to save these scaly anteaters.

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the “pain and anger and racism” in Chicago in order to promote his own career, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Thursday.

R&B singer R. Kelly is moving out of his Chicago recording studio because a judge has stymied his creativity by barring him from working there overnight due to building-code violations, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Facing accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday.

Watch the Feb. 20, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Six days to go until Chicago’s mayoral and aldermanic elections, and in many races, it’s anybody's guess who will win. Paris Schutz and Carol Marin take us behind the scenes in this week's political roundtable. 

Hours after Chicago police deemed him a “suspect” in his own alleged attack, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been charged with disorderly conduct, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled his first budget proposal Wednesday, calling it an “austere” spending plan meant to serve as a “bridge” to future budgets. 

Northwestern University communications professor Jason DeSanto breaks down the performance of Chicago mayoral candidates during a series of televised forums. 

Stephanie Alison Walker’s new play serves as a chilling reminder of a particularly horrific period in Argentina’s history when, from 1976 to 1983, that nation was under the thumb of a brutal military dictatorship.

For almost 50 years, 20th Century TV and Stereo has repaired stereos, tape decks, VCRs and more. But the mom-and-pop shop is fighting to remain relevant as technology continues to evolve.  

State and local politicians and officials weigh in on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first state budget address. 

A new Chicago startup called Juno4Me connects women with free birth control from reputable health care providers. 

Blooming orchids, an outdoor beer fest and a massive bike ride usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveils his first annual budget proposal amid an estimated $3.2 billion deficit and billions more in unpaid bills. Watch the address and get complete coverage throughout the day.

Chicago's top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor.

If the mayoral candidate forum Monday was punctuated by testy exchanges between Susana Mendoza and Bill Daley, Tuesday’s crew of five candidates – moderated by Carol Marin – kept it mostly civil.

Join us Tuesday at 7 p.m. for our third and final mayoral candidate forum, moderated by Carol Marin. Watch on WTTW11 or live on Facebook and YouTube.

Watch the Feb. 19, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

An obscure city commission voted Tuesday to approve a $900 million tax increment financing district that will help fund infrastructure upgrades for the proposed $6 billion Lincoln Yards development.