Stories by Nick Blumberg
Forum: Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Candidates
| Nick Blumberg
Dorothy Brown faces the Democrats vying to replace her in next week's Democratic primary.
Rogue Representative Dunkin Fights for Political Life
| Paris Schutz
It's a simple state legislative primary, but observers view it as ground zero in the standoff between Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan. Paris Schutz has more on a race that has the money and mud flying.
Lucas Museum Judge to City: ‘What’s the Secret?’
| Chloe Riley
At a court hearing on Wednesday morning, an increasingly impatient federal judge again asked why attorneys for the city of Chicago have yet to turn over documents which may shed light on the process by which the city leased out lakefront property where the Lucas Museum would sit.
Illinois’ US Senate Candidates
| Alexandra Silets
We meet two of the Democratic candidates vying to be the nominee for U.S. Senator.
Elected CPS Board Gains Traction
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Public Schools system is one step closer to having an elected school board instead of one in which members are appointed by the mayor.
Missed Out on the Van Gogh-Inspired Airbnb Room? Here's Your Second Chance
| Chloe Riley
No need to chop off your ear – the Art Institute is adding extra dates to its Vincent Van Gogh-themed Airbnb listing, a rented room constructed in the style of Van Gogh's 1889 painting "The Bedroom."
Dr. Quentin Young, Physician and Activist, Dies at 92
| Meredith Francis
The longtime advocate for health care reform, whose patients included President Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died Monday at age 92.
Spring is Almost Here: Stop and Smell the Flowers at These Events
| Evan Garcia
It’s official: The first day of spring, March 20, is less than two weeks away. Chicago is gearing up for warmer weather and blossoming flowers with gardening and horticulture events in the area.
Chicago History Museum Proposes $2 Admission Increase
| Chloe Riley
In its proposal to the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners, the museum says an admission increase would "offset the Museum’s increased utilities, maintenance and personnel costs." The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners will vote Wednesday on the proposed increase.
Condemn or Forgive at Hellenic Museum's 'Trial of Antigone'
| Chloe Riley
Who says ancient Greek mythology can't be as compelling as a Netflix true crime series? Play the part of the jury in the "Trial of Antigone," part of a series from the National Hellenic Museum in Greektown, where the audience decides the fate of famous Greek historical and mythological characters.
Illinois’ 1st Congressional District Candidates
| Hunter Clauss
Incumbent Bobby Rush and Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. discuss their race for the Democratic nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
Consumer Debt No. 1 Consumer Complaint, Says Illinois Attorney General
| Kristen Thometz
For the eighth year in a row, consumer debt topped Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s annual top 10 consumer complaints list. And for the first year, education-related complaints make the top 10 list.
Lovie Smith Named University of Illinois Football Coach
| Paris Schutz
A familiar face comes back to Illinois to coach the Fighting Illini. We have reaction from former Bears Coach Lovie Smith on his new gig.
Viewer Feedback: 'Taxpayers Are Refusing to Pick Up This Tab'
| Erica Gunderson
Hear what viewers had to say about the ongoing contract stalemate between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Why a Historic Daniel Burnham Building Sits Empty on Chicago’s South Side
| Chloe Riley
Designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the 61,000-square-foot structure was first a 19th century stable, later housing theatrical costumes and sets in the 1930s. But now it looms, cold and vacant, across the street from its sister, the DuSable Museum of African American History – another Burnham original which has tried unsuccessfully for more than 10 years to bring the empty stable back to life.
Lack of Sleep Increases Snacking, Junk Food Cravings, New Study Shows
| Kristen Thometz
“People need to think of adequate sleep as an important aspect of maintaining good health," said Erin Hanlon, Ph.D., lead author of a new University of Chicago study linking insufficient sleep with increased consumption of snacks and high-energy, high-fat foods.
CPS, CTU Back Off Threats
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union seem to be engaged in a game of “chicken,” where the both sides continue to decelerate before collision.
The Week in Review: Chicago Teachers Hit with Furlough Days
| Alexandra Silets
Teachers threaten an April strike. The Illinois House votes to strip Mayor Rahm Emanuel of school board control. Homicides soar and police morale sinks. And baseball is back. Joel Weisman had guests for these stories and more.
Local Priest, Music Festival Use Jazz to Tackle Hunger
| Meredith Francis
The Chi-Town Jazz Festival doubles as a fundraiser for area food pantries. The founder, a local priest, says jazz is a fitting genre to address social issues like hunger.
After Blackface Controversy, Chiditarod Cracks Down on Costumes
| Evan Garcia
This weekend's festive Chiditarod shopping cart race will raise thousands of dollars and pounds of food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository, but organizers this year are making special efforts to prevent teams from dressing in offensive costumes.
Illinois’ 11th Congressional District Candidates
| Nick Blumberg
Hear from two of the three Republican candidates running on March 15 to unseat 11th District Democratic Congressman Bill Foster.
Early Voting Soars in Madigan vs Gonzales Race
| Paris Schutz
Early voting numbers in the March 15 primary are up this year. But in one ward, the numbers are towering over all of the rest.
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