Stories by Chloe Riley
Original 1893 World's Fair Paintings Discovered in Storage Facility
| Chloe Riley
Three original Japanese sliding door paintings from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition were discovered in a Chicago Park District storage facility, the CPD announced Wednesday.
CPS Board Votes on Controversial Budget
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously today to pass a much-criticized $5.6 billion budget that includes almost $480 million from the state, $1 billion dollars in borrowing, and what teachers and parents are calling massive cuts to special education. Brandis Friedman joins us tonight with the latest from downtown.
Dealing With a Disgruntled Employee
| Eddie Arruza
A horrifying incident unfolded on live television this morning when a reporter and her cameraman were shot and killed by a man reported to be a former colleague. On Chicago Tonight, we'll look at what businesses can and should do to look for and address the potential dangers of a disgruntled employee.
Corpse Flower Hours Away From Big Bloom at Chicago Botanic Garden
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Botanic Garden is on death watch. Officials there say the famed titan arum plant, more popularly known as the "corpse flower," could bloom in a matter of hours and emit its notorious foul odor. Chicago Tonight was on the scene on Wednesday. Also, watch a livestream of the famous plant called Spike.
Put A Ring On It? What Ashley Madison Says About Modern Love
| Hunter Clauss
The radioactive mushroom cloud of marital unhappiness set off by the hacking of adultery website Ashley Madison keeps growing. But what does the website and its popularity say about modern marriages? And how do Ashley Madison, dating websites, and smartphone apps affect how we build relationships? Tonight, we’ll hear from Eli Finkel, a professor of social psychology at Northwestern University.
Octopus Genome Reveals Sea Creature's Secrets
| Nick Blumberg
This month in Nature, an international team of researchers released some of their key findings after a first-of-its-kind study of the genome of the California two-spot octopus. The team found a massive and unusually arranged genome, with many genes unique to the octopus that could provide clues to the unusual animals. One of the researchers, University of Chicago neurobiologist Cliff Ragsdale, joins Chicago Tonight to discuss the ongoing project.
A Rowdy Good Time: Drag Boat Racing at Blarney Island
| Jay Shefsky
Boats fly by at speeds up to 150 miles per hour on an 800-foot course. There is drag boat racing every Thursday night all summer long at Blarney Island on Grass Lake. Chicago Tonight's Jay Shefsky goes to the races and takes a 94 mph ride on a race boat.
Ask Geoffrey: August 26
Who designed the Marshall Field’s clock?
| Erica Gunderson
In this edition of Ask Geoffrey, viewers ask our local history expert about the Marshall Field’s clock, a World War II memorial in Lincoln Park and the Chicago Federal Building’s dome.
State Budget Stalemate: Week 8
| Paris Schutz
Still no budget in Springfield and now the state's comptroller says Illinois is starting to fall far behind in paying its bills. We have the latest on this and other news out of Springfield on Chicago Tonight with Amanda Vinicky.
Chicago Dramatists Names Meghan Beals New Artistic Director
| Chloe Riley
West Town-based theater company Chicago Dramatists has named Meghan Beals as artistic director, following the death of longtime artistic director Russ Tutterow in May.
Controversy Over the Little Pink Pill
| Eddie Arruza
The FDA has approved the first drug designed to boost libido in pre-menopausal women. Is it really effective and safe? We look at the so-called female Viagra and the massive marketing campaign behind Addyi.
60 Years Later: The Murder of Emmett Till
| Brandis Friedman
The death of the 14-year-old Chicago boy, brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955, became far more than just another lynching during the Jim Crow era. His mother's decision to display the mutilated body of Emmett Till during his funeral altered the course of history by invigorating a movement. Till's family remembers his life and his death, and compares his story to those we hear today.
Performance Review: Amazon's Peculiar Tactics Under the Microscope
| Hunter Clauss
Let’s be honest: At the end of the day, who doesn’t like complaining about work? That’s probably one reason a recent New York Times story on the intense workplace culture at online retailer Amazon is so fascinating. Tonight, we’ll discuss Amazon’s performance review methods with Howard Tullman, CEO of tech incubator 1871; and John Challenger, CEO of outplacement and career transitioning firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.
A Look at Rare Paintings from Indiana Dunes Artist Frank Dudley
| Marc Vitali
Struggling artist Frank Dudley visited the Indiana Dunes 100 years ago and discovered his life's work – painting the fragile and constantly evolving landscape and promoting and preserving the dunes. We look at the enduring impact of Dudley's dramatic oil paintings.
Another Slam Dunk for Michael Jordan Brand?
| Andrea Guthmann
A jury last week thought Michael Jordan's lawsuit against the now defunct Dominick's grocery chain was a slam dunk. But did his multimillion-dollar brand score points with the public? We’ll discuss the situation with Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn, and attorney Eldon Ham, who’s represented numerous athletes in endorsement contracts.
Chicago Bears, Cubs Sideline Key Players
| Sean Keenehan
It was a rude awakening Monday morning for the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs, as both teams announced today that they will be heading into September with some key players sidelined.
Mayor Emanuel Looks to Residents for Budget Solutions
| Hunter Clauss
If you have any ideas about how Chicago can come up with more than $750 million to help balance its budget—then the city wants to hear them. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office today announced three town hall meetings as he prepares to unveil his 2016 budget to the City Council on Sept. 22.
Wall Street Sell-Off Sparked by Plunge in Chinese Stocks
| Nick Blumberg
The Dow Jones took a nosedive this morning, dropping more than 1,000 points when trading opened. The markets recovered some of their losses, but investors still appear rattled by disappointing economic news from China. We'll hear what to expect in the days to come and how it might affect your day-to-day life from three economic experts.
Third Way Out of State Budget Impasse Emerges
Change in Corporate Income Tax Floated
| Paris Schutz
There’s a potential third way out of the deadlock over how to close a $6 billion state budget gap. Gov. Bruce Rauner is refusing to sign off on a budget without changes to collective bargaining and public employee unions. And the Democrats are refusing to go along with that. So, what are the alternatives? Paris Schutz has the details.
Corpse Flower Ready to Bloom at the Chicago Botanic Garden
| WTTW News
The Chicago Botanic Garden is getting ready for the big stink. His name is Spike, and the nearly 70-inch tall titan arum has been in the spotlight for weeks. Learn more about the rare plant and watch a livestream from the CBG.
Viewer Feedback: August 24
| WTTW News
We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, August 21
| WTTW News
From a Senate override of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of mandatory mediation in state labor contract disputes to Cook County Democratic slatemakers snubbing State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez and U.S. Rep Tammy Duckworth, Joel Weisman and his panel have your week in review.
Chicago Tonight's Weekly News Quiz: Round 2
| WTTW News
Were you watching this week? Test your knowledge with these six questions.
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