Stories by WTTW News

The mother of David Koschman files a federal lawsuit over a violation of civil rights. Nanci Koschman cites a cover-up by police and prosecutors in the death of her son David in 2004. Last month, Richard "RJ" Vanecko, the nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with David's death. Carol Marin has the latest details. Watch the full news conference and read the lawsuit.

As Russia moves swiftly to annex Crimea, we talk with former NATO Ambassador Ivo Daalder about the crisis in Ukraine and what he thinks the West’s response should be. View a timeline of key events in Ukraine's political crisis and read an article about the local Ukrainian population’s reaction to the current state of affairs.

As Russia continues to assert its influence in Crimea, concern grows among the Chicago Ukrainian community. Read an article.

The Chicago River has long been thought of as Chicago’s second shoreline, overlooked by Lake Michigan. In Chicago’s River At Work And At Play, author Neal Samors and photographer Steven Dahlman explore the history and future of the Chicago River. Read an interview with Samors, view a slideshow, and read the preface of the book, written by former Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Vietnam veteran Lon Hodge struggled for years with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder until he got a PTSD service dog named Gander. Lon says that Gander has saved his life. Now, Lon and Gander help other vets and work to raise awareness about PTSD, veteran suicide and service dogs. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile. Read an interview with Fran Menley, Service Dog Trainer at Freedom Service Dogs of America, about how they rescue, train and pair dogs with veterans and people with disabilities.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s proposed constitutional amendment that would raise income taxes on people making more than $1 million a year. They also talk about the soaring cost of the Illinois race for governor, as well as the media’s coverage of the candidates. Watch the web extra video.

A magic show, an art exhibit and a spring food tasting event; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan throws a curveball, asking voters to approve a possible 3 percent surcharge on millionaires to help pay for education. How does that play into a governor’s race that has already become about class warfare? Paris Schutz has the details on that, and how high-profile Democrats and Independents are coming out in support of Bruce Rauner. Read Newt Minow's endorsement of Rauner.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said the Fed may start  raising rates around six months after quantitative easing—ahead of what experts were expecting. We take a closer look at how the markets react to her comments at her first live press conference, and how her first policy meeting may affect the economy. Read an article, watch Yellen’s full press conference, and read a transcript of her remarks.

The Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state’s strict eavesdropping law that made audio recording anyone in public illegal without consent. The court ruled that the law "criminalizes a wide range of innocent conduct." We have analysis from Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. Read the court's opinion and watch Paris Schutz's 2011 story on the Eavesdropping Law.

Are hospitals over-prescribing antibiotics to their patients? A recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that some clinicians prescribe three times as many antibiotics than clinicians in other hospitals, which can sometimes result in a patient taking an antibiotic for too long, potentially causing super-resistant infections. We discuss the effects of overdosing on antibiotics and how hospitals can improve antibiotic-prescribing. Read an interview and view a graphic of antibiotic prescriptions in the U.S. by state.

The antibiotic stewardship program is offered in a health care facility or hospital that is designed to help improve the way antibiotics are used and prescribed. Read an article.

Brutal winter conditions this year devastated the bird population in the Midwest region. The Field Museum has collected roughly 60 specimens but many more have perished as a result of starvation from limited open water on Lake Michigan. We speak with Field Museum research assistant and ornithologist Josh Engel about the phenomenon. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Hollywood photographer Peter Sorel was born in Hungary, but now calls Chicago home. From One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to Frida and Life of Pi, Sorel has documented and created poster images for more than 120 memorable movies. Read an article and view a slideshow of Sorel's work.

We share what you had to say about our discussion on the pros and cons of legislative term limits and how they work and our conversation with Illinois House of Representatives' 39th District challenger Will Guzzardi when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Voter turnout in Chicago is expected to be around 16 percent for the March Primary Election, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. The low turnout benefited the debut of electronic poll books in Chicago's precincts. Read an article.

The March Primary is over and the parties are coalescing around their respective candidates for governor. Paris Schutz has more on what is shaping up as a bruising battle. Read an article and view a map of Republican gubernatorial votes by county.

Bruce Rauner has won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the November election. Carol Marin and a roundtable of top political reporters digest last night’s primary election results and look ahead at how the races are shaping up for November. View an interactive graphic of March Primary Election results.

Challenger Will Guzzardi beat State Rep. Toni Berrios for the Illinois House of Representatives' 39th District in the March Primary Election. He joins us.

Dr. Brendan Reilly describes himself as a dinosaur in the medical field, and in his new book One Doctor: Close Calls, Cold Cases and The Mysteries of Medicine, he tells the stories of some of his most memorable patients, the changes that have taken place in practicing medicine, and why he’s a dying breed. He shares all that and unveils the mysteries of medicine. Read an article and a book excerpt.

The craft brew industry in Chicago has exploded in the last few years and shows no signs of stopping. Is there a saturation point for Chicago’s market? We talk with leaders on the craft brew scene and explore the growing trend. Read an article, view a slideshow, and take a craft brew QUIZ.

Geoffrey Baer sheds some light on a colorful Chicago firehouse tradition that has a maritime connection, the real life Mr. Selfridge’s time in Chicago and the location of the city’s first revolving doors this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Bruce Rauner has won the Republican gubernatorial primary and will face incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in the November election. Check out the winners for key races in the March Primary Election.

Voter turnout for Tuesday's March Primary Election has been low, and less than 9 percent of registered voters in Chicago have cast ballots as of 6:00 pm. Voters today will determine who will appear on the November ticket for Republican and Democratic races ranging from governor to the state legislature. Read an article.

As we race closer to the November election, one item that’s being pushed to be on the ballot is legislative term limits. Joining us to discuss the pros and cons of term limits and how they work are Director of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs Chris Mooney and UIC Political Science Professor Dick Simpson. Read an interview and view a map on term limits in the United States.