Stories by Paris Schutz
Key Questions Remain Ahead of Obama Center Vote
| Paris Schutz
Next week, the city is poised to take the first of several votes on the Obama Presidential Center. Why some community groups want to slow down the process.
ERA Battle Moves to House, Supporters on Brink of Victory
| Paul Caine
After a decadeslong battle, Illinois may be on the brink of ratifying the federal Equal Rights Amendment. The pros and cons of passage.
Blair Kamin on the Northerly Island Engineering Fiasco
| Alexandra Silets
Why parts of Northerly Island are still blocked off years after erosion damaged the walking and biking path.
Not-So-Secret Menu Item Lands Uptown Restaurant on James Beard Stage
| Brandis Friedman
How a “secret” menu item at Sun Wah BBQ landed the Chicago restaurant a prestigious James Beard America’s Classics award.
Understanding the Red Flags of Domestic Violence
| Nick Blumberg
New York’s attorney general resigns after claims of violent behavior. A look at domestic abuse by men who publicly champion women’s causes.
Harvard Scientist: Climate Change May Be Worse Than We Think
| Eddie Arruza
“While climate change may not yet have had its huge impact on biodiversity, just wait,” says Harvard professor Daniel Schrag. “What’s coming is really extraordinary.”
Shedd Vet in Madagascar to Treat 10,000 Confiscated Tortoises
| Alex Ruppenthal
A Chicago-based animal care expert is playing a key role in an unprecedented effort to save thousands of critically endangered tortoises that were found in squalid conditions in an abandoned home off the southeast coast of Africa.
Illinois Cleared for New Mental Health, Addiction Pilot Programs
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois has won long sought-after permission from the federal government to take a more flexible approach to treating opioid disorders, drug abuse and other behavioral health issues.
For Giant Globes Founder, Business is a Global Endeavor
| Jay Shefsky
Matt Binns is equal parts artist, inventor and businessman. We visit his workshop to see how his company’s custom-made globes are constructed.
Tom Skilling on Chicago’s Wild Weather Swings
| Nick Blumberg
Why the fourth-coldest April on record also brought us summer-like temperatures – and what we can expect from the coming weeks.
Reports: Promised Cops Not Hitting Chicago Streets
| Alexandra Silets
The number of beat cops in Chicago is down despite a promised hiring surge, according to two new reports. We speak with two local journalists and the head of the police union.
Breaking Down Racial Barriers in the US
| Nick Blumberg
Beverly Daniel Tatum, the author of a groundbreaking book on segregation in America’s schools and neighborhoods, on why it’s so crucial – and difficult – to talk about race.
Chicago Zoo, Brewery Partner on Beer to Help Parrots Hurt by Hurricane
| Alex Ruppenthal
One of the world’s most endangered birds finds itself in even greater peril after a hurricane ripped through its habitat last year. But you can help – by drinking beer.
Teller Brings Dark Magic to ‘Macbeth’
| Marc Vitali
Witches, sorcery and ghosts: Shakespeare’s spookiest and shortest play gets adapted into a horror thriller with modern day magic.
Brilliant Cast Rocks Buddy Holly Back to Life
| Hedy Weiss
Zachary Stevenson – a bravura performer who is the spittin’ image of the character he plays, and who possesses the voice, moves, guitar licks and irresistible energy of the “original” – is proof that Buddy Holly lives.
Lisa Madigan Challenges Proposal to Lower Fines for Automakers
| Alex Ruppenthal
A group of 13 attorneys general are speaking out against a Trump administration proposal to reduce penalties for automakers that violate fuel efficiency standards.
Tronc Voluntarily Recognizes Chicago Tribune Union
| Kristen Thometz
After more than 85 percent of eligible employees signed cards in favor of union representation, the media company that owns the Chicago Tribune agrees to voluntarily recognize the Chicago Tribune Guild.
Shedd Scientists, Volunteers Track Migrations of Great Lakes Fish
| Alex Ruppenthal
Why more than two dozen volunteers have been tracking migrations of white and longnose suckers, an often overlooked family of fish.
‘Grace’ Captures Breast Cancer Survivor’s Journey, Mastectomy Tattoo
| Kristen Thometz
Grace Lombardo never thought she’d get a tattoo, but then she got breast cancer. Her story of survival and recovery is told in a new documentary.
Van Dyke Case: Citing ‘Serious Safety Concerns,’ Judge Seals Courtroom for Witness Testimony
| Matt Masterson
In a 10-page written order, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan noted that as many as nine witnesses called to testify Friday “could be exposed to harm” if their names were to be made public.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Bring Out the ‘Big Boy Pants’
| Alexandra Silets
Paris Schutz and guests discuss the feud between the Daley family and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The Week in Review: Paul Vallas Comes Out Swinging
| Alexandra Silets
In his mayoral campaign kickoff, Paul Vallas calls Mayor Rahm Emanuel a “bully.” Is the #MeToo movement finally catching up to R&B star R. Kelly? And can the Bears draft picks save the team?
A Conversation with Sandra Cordova Micek, New CEO of WTTW, WFMT
| Evan Garcia
Meet the new president and CEO of Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent company of WTTW and WFMT.
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