Stories by Marc Vitali

Meet the self-taught Chicago artist who could make dazzling art out of anything he found. Known as Mr. Imagination, he turned bottlecaps, mirrors, and scraps of wood into delightfully original works of art.

A NOVA special called Big Bang Machine about the Large Hadron Collider airs at 9:00 pm Wednesday on WTTW11. Don Lincoln, one of the top scientists from the documentary, joins us to discuss the role of Fermilab -- located just outside of Chicago -- in the experiments at CERN in Switzerland.

Rauner Sworn In as Illinois Governor Appointed vs. Elected School Board Out of Jail, Back to School Rethinking Retirement and the Golden Years Bass Guitars Homemade in Chicago and Played Around the World

Bruce Rauner takes the oath of office as Illinois’ 42nd governor. Paris Schutz has more on what Rauner said during his inaugural address.

Over the weekend, Bruce Rauner announced a series of cabinet secretary, agency director and boards and commission appointments.

Should Chicago have an elected school board? The issue separates Mayor Rahm Emanuel from his challengers. And voters from 38 wards will have a chance to weigh in on Feb. 24 when they can vote on an advisory referendum. We take a closer look.

Whether it’s been 10 years or 30 years since they dropped out of high school, men and women who went on to serve time in jail or prison are finally getting their diplomas. We explain how programs like St. Leonard’s Ministries are getting help from Cook County to keep people out of jail and reduce violence.

Some may characterize the years following retirement as relaxing and blissfully uneventful. Author Chris Farrell challenges that interpretation with his book Unretirement: How Baby Boomers Are Changing the Way We Think About Work, Community and the Good Life. He joins us.

Lakland Guitars has made an impact in their 20 years in Chicago. Their instruments are played in U2 and the Rolling Stones. Chicago Tonight goes behind-the-scenes to find out what it takes to make an electric bass that can bring a bottom-heavy sound to a band's rhythm section.

We share what you had to say about the great pension debate and schools closing due to cold weather in tonight's viewer feedback.

Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss this week’s headlines.

In the wake of the massacre at of the Paris offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists discuss freedom of the press, and whether fear of retribution impacts reporters. 

The City Lost and Found, No Pants Subway Ride, and Handmade Market Chicago; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Springfield Special Session Should Schools Close on Cold Days? Founding Editor of "The Onion" on Paris Terror Attacks The Great Pension Debate Mayoral Candidate Willie Wilson

Illinois lawmakers met in Springfield for a special session to decide how to fill the vacancy created by the passing of Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

The Illinois Senate passed special election bill HB4576 by 37-15. See how members voted in our interactive graphic.

The Illinois House passed special election bill HB4576 by 66-40. See how members voted in our interactive graphic.

For the second day, Chicago Public Schools are closed because of cold weather, but not everyone agrees.

The shooting massacre at the Paris office of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo has shaken the tenets of not only parody, but freedom of expression. Scott Dikkers is the founding editor of The Onion and served as editor-in-chief of the popular satirical news organization for 14 years. He joins us to discuss his experiences working in news satire, and how the deadliest attack France has seen since 1961 may affect the genre’s landscape.

Illinois still has one of the worst funded pension systems in the nation. But reform efforts seem to be at a standstill until the Illinois Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of a pension bill passed last year. The court is scheduled to hear arguments in March.

Chicago businessman Willie Wilson has put $1 million of his own money into his effort to take down incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel. We talk with Wilson about his background, why he wants to be mayor, and whether he thinks he has enough support to win.

A show at The Art Institute looks at the transformation of American cities in the 1960s and '70s. We revisit the story.

We share what you had to say about the proposed Washington Park site for the Obama Presidental Library, the unethical conduct at Chicago Public Schools, and finding the joy in the everyday with Mike Leonard in tonight's viewer feedback.

CPS Cancels Classes for Second Day Obama Library Plot Thickens Ironing Out Medical Marijuana Details Ice Ribbon Zamboni Ask Geoffrey: 1/7 Chicago Area Spirits on the Rise

Chicago Public Schools will be closed for a second day tomorrow because of the extreme weather.

Obama Library proposals from The University of Illinois at Chicago and The University of Chicago are getting added help from the mayor's office to ensure the library stays in the Midwest as The U of C finally releases proposal specifics. Hearings are set for next week to aid The U of C in securing city park land for the proposed Jackson Park and Washington Park locations. Some fear the hearings will serve to push through rushed legislation for a land grab.