Stories by Paul Caine

Chicago school principals are faced with the unenviable task of trying to plan for the new school year amid massive financial uncertainty. At a time when most would be hoping to finalize hiring decisions, they have no idea what their budget will be and how many teachers and other support staff they can afford. We learn what it's like to try and plan for the new school year with so many unknown factors.

According to a Crain's Chicago Business analysis, Chicago police and fire pensions could drive up property taxes by more than 30 percent. Crain’s senior reporter Thomas A. Corfman joins us to explain the analysis.

Construction gets underway this week on the Argyle Streetscape project in Uptown, which will create a first-of-its-kind Chicago street that's shared among bikes, cars, and pedestrians.

We take a look at a local organization that helps transgender people improve their work skills, find jobs, and overcome social stigmas facing the trans community. 

The Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier joins Chicago Tonight with tips and demonstrations on how to make the most of your garden in July.

Several mothers of young men killed by gun violence in Chicago are named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against three suburban Chicago communities: Lyons, Riverdale, and Lincolnwood. Attorneys who filed the suit Tuesday morning explain that those towns have lax or insufficient methods of licensing and regulating their gun dealers, and are therefore disproportionately impacting poor and minority communities in Chicago.

State lawmakers are expected to meet this week to consider a temporary, one-month budget in an effort to stave off the devastating effects of a government shutdown. But as the budget stalemate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democrat-controlled General Assembly continues with no clear resolution in sight, who wins and who loses? 

A story by WBEZ and This American Life in April revealed that heroin abusers from Puerto Rico were being sent to unlicensed drug rehab programs in Chicago, many of which appear to be little better than flophouses and use methods that are questionable at best. The facilities often force clients to give them their identity papers for safe keeping, and don't always give them back when the clients leave. A follow-up report from WBEZ has found that some of the Puerto Rican addicts sent to Chicago appear to be victims of identity theft.

Can Chicago condo buildings ban smoking in owners’ units? Some buildings are making the change. We talk with Crain’s Chicago Business real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin about that, the new disclosure rules coming, and the latest trends in the housing market.

Last summer, Sean Graney, founder of The Hypocrites, debuted All Our Tragic, his lengthy adaptation of every extant Greek tragedy. As the performance returns to the stage, we revisit our story on the 12-hour play.

The Art Institute of Chicago offers a fresh perspective on French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas in Degas: At the Track, On the Stage, an exhibition focusing on works that feature movement or performance.

The famed frenzy of open outcry trading that filled the Chicago Board of Trade’s pits for more than 80 years will cease Monday. The closure of most of the futures pits comes as most futures are traded electronically these days. Eddie Arruza visited the CBOT and has the latest.  

Lawmakers left Springfield for the Fourth of July weekend without a budget deal in place triggering a partial government shutdown. We talk with legislators from both sides of the aisle about what to expect if the impasse continues and what's on the session's agenda this week to resolve the fiscal crisis.

Vice President Joe Biden has run for president of the U.S. twice, most recently as an early Democratic contender in the 2008 primary. A Chicago-based movement called Draft Biden is hoping he’ll run once more.

All of the schools in North Chicago have been in some state of academic failure for years. To address the unmet needs of the students and schools, a nonprofit was formed by a local family foundation. Brandis Friedman reports on the district’s transformation.

In the wake of the Grateful Dead's final shows, we reflect on the weekend with a music industry professional and a dedicated Deadhead.

When it comes to treating our sewage, Chicago has a history of thinking big from reversing the flow of the Chicago River to the creation of Deep Tunnel. Jay Shefsky visited the Thornton Quarry and went to the bottom of Deep Tunnel to see where the water will flow into the new reservoir later this year. We revisit that story.    

On Wednesday, July 1, the Illinois Senate passed a one-month temporary budget by a vote 37-0. View an interactive graphic of how each senator voted.

On Wednesday, July 1, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to pass a one-month temporary budget by a vote of 67-32. View an interactive graphic of how each representative voted.

Fourth of July celebrations are happening all across the Chicagoland area. But there are also other great events happening from the Windy City RibFest to the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks. 

Celebrate Independence Day underneath a colorful display of fireworks. Chicago Tonight has your picks for shows in the Chicagoland area on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4. 

The state's failure to reach a budget agreement has caused a government shutdown, and now top officials are hashing out in court what exactly can and can't stay open. Medicaid and social service providers are in limbo wondering if they and other government providers will be able to make payroll and stay open, as the legislative standoff drags on. 

The Cook County Board will soon vote on whether or not to increase the sales tax, as proposed by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and Cook County CFO Ivan Samstein join us tonight to share their thoughts on the proposed tax hike.