Stories by WTTW News

A local man built a full-size working replica of an 1860's steam locomotive in his spare time. Now he's at work on the Lincoln Funeral Car.

The origins and history of a lakeside building known as 999 Lake Shore Drive have eluded city dwellers for years. Author Richard Fizdale worked to uncover the truth only to find most of the rumors circulating are mostly fabricated.

A gunshot victim who became paralyzed created a foundation to help others who suffer the same fate. Learn about Eric Wilkins and Broken Winggz.

New troubles surface regarding a nursing home owned by Bruce Rauner's company. Why an ugly war over nursing home care is taking center stage in the gubernatorial race today.

As a bill to regulate the commercial ride-share industry lands on Gov. Pat Quinn's desk, we talk to representatives of the traditional taxi industry and rideshare company Uber about the regulation. 

Earlier this month Chicago Public Schools unveiled its budget for 2015. We analyze the district’s $5.7 billion budget.

Urban Prep Founder & CEO Tim King was honored at the 2014 BET Awards for his work at Urban Prep Academies. We sit down with King to talk about the award and Urban Prep Academies. 

We talk Green City Market fresh produce and demo a recipe from the market's new cookbook.

The Taste of Chicago, a benefit for cancer research, and an Irish festival; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists dish on a number of topics including the Justice Department asking state lawmakers to hold-off having members of Gov. Quinn's inner circle testify about an anti-violence program tainted by scandal.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week's headlines.

The Chicago Landmarks Commission voted unanimously to allow Wrigley Field to undergo a $575 million renovation and expansion that has caused considerable controversy between the Cubs owners and rooftop.

Insolvency looms for the federal Highway Trust Fund. Brandis Friedman has more on what that means for Illinois highway construction workers and motorists.

The Justice Department asked state lawmakers to hold-off having members of Gov. Quinn's inner circle testify about an anti-violence program tainted by scandal.

Fresh from sharing the Broadway stage with Denzel Washington, Chicago actor/director David Cromer joins us to talk about his latest projects. He’s joined by another mainstay of the Chicago stage, Marc Grapey, who’ll tell us about performing with Cromer in “The Normal Heart” and his Three Oaks Theater Festival in Michigan.

At 30, Monifa Thomas was a health and medicine reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times. Not long after she passed a complete physical, Monifa had a stroke and was paralyzed on her right side and had great difficulty speaking. We revisit the story of her recovery, return to her medical beat. 

Chicago's Pocket Con convention is set to spotlight black characters in comic books and works from black artists.

Three local friends routinely visit abandoned industrial sites in the Midwest, enter the buildings, and take only photos. They don’t carry crowbars or anything that might attract the attention of the police.

Hundreds of thousands of city residents have chosen to get their electricity through the municipal aggregation program. But now many of those might want to opt out because of higher rates. Paris Schutz has more.  

From state spending to patronage hires to gubernatorial race hijinks, there is no shortage of topics in the political sphere this week. We discuss these topics and implications for the city and state with our panel. 

Navy Pier attracts between 8-9 million visitors each year, but traffic drops as temperatures do in the winter. The non-profit that runs Navy Pier wants to add a hotel to attract visitors year-round. 

Chaz Ebert and Steve James ("Hoop Dreams") join us to talk about "Life Itself," the new documentary on the life of film critic Roger Ebert.

We revisit a profile Jay Shefsky did on a Chicago artist on a personal crusade to paint and preserve 200 rare native plants.

Geoffrey Baer talks plotters and spotters, is a boulder beholder, and beats feet on School Street.

Chicago native Ed Paschke’s neon and surreal paintings, which have been displayed publicly and privately around the world, made their debut on the city’s northwest side. A decade ago, Paschke died at the age of 65 a day after he gave an interview to Artbeat Chicago.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel supports a recommendation from his task force that the city’s minimum wage be raised to $13. Some City Council members believe that’s not high enough and business owners are against the hike altogether.