Stories by Michael Lipkin

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been focusing on the potential economic upside of the NATO summit since his lobbying brought it to Chicago, but it’s his security plans that have had some up in arms.

Illinois was pegged as a pivotal win for GOP presidential hopefuls. Mitt Romney won big, but there were very few surprises in state elections. Carol Marin and her panel have the details.

We're joined by winners of the contentious 8th and 10th Congressional primaries. They talk general election strategy and more.

Find out what Chef Rick Bayless is cooking up on stage when we visit a rehearsal of his new show at Lookingglass Theatre.

The record-breaking hot weather is jump-starting Chicago gardens. Eliza Fournier of the Chicago Botanic Garden joins us with spring gardening tips.

He photographed the city and its people. We remember Lee Balterman, who took remarkable Chicago pictures for more than half a century.

Tuesday night marked the end of an undoubtedly contentious primary season in Illinois. Learn more about how it all went down.

Illinois voters are weighing in on presidential nominees in the Republican primary, and congressional and legislative races. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

A new book examines Chicago's status as a global city.

It's a big expansion for Roosevelt University, as a 21st century vertical campus opens in the Loop. But it's left the college with some big financial challenges. We hear how the university is trying to get back on track.

Republican presidential candidates crisscross the state looking for votes. Our Elizabeth Brackett followed Rick Santorum to downstate Dixon, Illinois. Elizabeth and Carol Marin take a look at Tuesday's primary.

What's the word on the wonderful weather? We hear from a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.

A rare musical treat at Chicago's Lake View High School. Two classical music superstars pay students a visit and offer up some of their world-class artistry. We tell you why.

The Anderson family from Oak Park began an experiment in 2009: trying to buy things only from African American-owned businesses. How difficult was it for the family to buy black for an entire year? Maggie Anderson is here to tell us.

Does an Avondale mural combine Polish patriotic and hip-hop elements? Geoffrey Baer explores this beautiful piece in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey. 

A former All-American wrestler turned suburban wrestling coach must tell his students that he now faces his toughest match.

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

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on!

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagovich takes the long and winding road to prison in Littleton, Colorado. We talk with Scott Fawell about what life may be like behind bars.

The winning redesign team of the Navy Pier contest was chosen, but not necessarily the design itself.  We find out why.

The flag of Chicago re-imagined by artists; plus rock posters and other prime examples of the city's rich printmaking history.

Lots of shenanigans are going on in the 22nd District where longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan is being challenged by 25-year-old political novice Michele Piszczor. Elizabeth Brackett reports in a web-exclusive story.

Rod Blagojevich addresses a throng of reporters and supporters before heading off to Colorado on Thursday to begin serving a 14-year prison sentence. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

We meet the two Democratic candidates vying for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County position.

We continue our discussion with the two candidates vying for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County position in our web-exclusive video.

New questions surface surrounding Mayor Emanuel's controversial speed-camera proposal. Paris Schutz has more on why some aldermen are up in arms.