Stories by Kristen Thometz

Lurking in the still waters of the Montrose Beach Dunes is a plant unlike its neighbors. The small, carnivorous plant found earlier this month is not easy to spot, but its discovery marks the first of its kind in the area. 

Chicago Public Schools unveiled Monday a $5.7 billion operating budget proposal that includes laying off 1,491 employees (479 of which are teachers), raising property taxes by $19 million, and banking on $480 million in pension relief from state lawmakers. Chicago Tonight’s Brandis Friedman walks us through the proposal.

The state has been without a budget for 41 days. Is there a compromise on the horizon? Carol Marin talks with four members of the Illinois House of Representatives about what's happening this week in Springfield.

Police in Hamburg, N.Y. have confirmed they are investigating an alleged incident at the home of Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, but won't provide details. Chicago Sun-Times investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos traveled to the Buffalo suburb to cover the story. He joins Chicago Tonight with more.

A break in the aging pipeline that crosses under the pristine waters of the Straits of Mackinac could be catastrophic for the Great Lakes. Is the old pipeline a threat? Elizabeth Brackett brought us the story in June. We take another look in this encore presentation.

The University of Illinois was the focus of two front-page stories in Sunday's Chicago Tribune, concerning their ranking as the nation's No. 1 party school, a judge's decision last week to allow an academic freedom lawsuit against the university, and failure to turn over private emails about university business. We'll discuss those stories and Chancellor Phyllis Wise's resignation last Thursday with our panel.

We share what you had to say about Paris Schutz’s interview with Mayor Rahm Emanuel when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said Friday that the Chicago Public Schools’ latest contract move could force teachers into another strike.

All year long WTTW will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. Former station volunteer-turned-producer Bud Borg, who grew up in South Shore and attended Roosevelt University, remembers the early days of WTTW.

From the investigation of Blackhawks star Patrick Kane, to a multi-million dollar makeover at Midway Airport, Joel Weisman and his panel have your week in review.

Gov. Bruce Rauner on Thursday said his administration would be willing to help Chicago Public Schools and the city’s pensions, provided the city helps Rauner give local municipalities the ability to limit collective bargaining with public employees. On Chicago Tonight Mayor Rahm Emanuel responds to Rauner’s challenge.

The Chicago River buzzes with life. There are new sections of the riverwalk downtown, kayaks on the river, water taxis – the city is embracing its river like never before. But what about that other hard working river, the Calumet, on the Southeast Side? Jay Shefsky explores the area with a couple of local kayakers.

From hot dogs to marching bands to the art of Japanese flower-arranging, this weekend’s lineup goes a little bit global, a little bit foodie, and a lot entertaining.

Thousands of people walk past dozens of statues in Chicago without a sideways glance. But what if one of them called you with their story? That's the idea behind Chicago Statue Stories. We'll hear how 30 statues have come to life around the city.

We share what you had to say about new rules surrounding child care for low-income families in Illinois, a proposed ordinance to limit where and when you can fly a drone in Chicago, and the state budget standoff.

Illinois Senate President Cullerton's plan to have the state bailout $500 million in Chicago teacher pension costs moves to the House. What will Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner do? We get the latest from Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky.

Voters will get a chance to see 10 of the 16 leading declared Republican presidential candidates square off Thursday in the first primary debate, which is hosted by Fox News and Facebook. We discuss the surge behind Donald Trump’s candidacy and what the crowded field of candidates means for the Republican Party with our panel.

Alds. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) and Ed Burke (14th Ward) have proposed an ordinance that would tighten restrictions on the use of drones in the city, including limits on how close they can fly to O'Hare and Midway airports. Ald. Waguespack joins Chicago Tonight to talk about his proposal, along with Aerial Vision Chicago co-founder Anthony LaRosa.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Chicago Tonight on Thursday to discuss Chicago Public Schools and the city’s budget deficit, the city’s plan for funding its pensions, his plan to phase out seven TIF districts, and whether he expects any financial help from Springfield. What are your questions for the mayor? Share them with us.

This fall, the Chicago Architecture Biennial will assess architectural projects and experiments from around the world. We'll get a preview of what to expect and find out the results of a competition to add kiosks to the city's lakefront.

Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a dreamy memorial, Soldier Field no-man's land, and railroad ruins on Chicago's South Side in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

The Illinois Senate is back in session in Springfield to consider a property tax freeze and possible funding relief for social service providers. Amanda Vinicky will join us with the latest on Chicago Tonight.

Illinois Congressmen Randy Hultgren (R) and Luis Gutiérrez (D) join Chicago Tonight to discuss Iran, Planned Parenthood, clean energy, the 2016 election, and more issues they'll face next month.