Stories by Michael Lipkin

Chicago Tonight presents a 30-minute special after Frontline: The Interrupters airs on our station tonight. Join us at 10:00 pm for a series of three panel discussions moderated by Carol Marin and Phil Ponce, and produced by Emmy winner Jay Shefsky.

Many in Chicago's real estate industry are concerned about security during the G-8/NATO Summits. A conference on Wednesday will bring them together with top security officials, including Police Chief Garry McCarthy and the U.S. Secret Service. Paris Schutz has the story.

Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield next week. Can they make any headway in reducing the state's huge fiscal problems in this election year? We hear from four lawmakers.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel reacts to charter schools fining students for disciplinary infractions. We talk to the CEO of the Noble Street Charter Schools and a coordinator from a student advocacy group.

Our science guy, Neil Shubin, joins us to talk about sea slug brains, a therapist app for your smartphone and more in Scientific Chicago.

Buying a car can be stressful. Jon Yates, the Chicago Tribune's "Problem Solver," offers car shoppers tips on how to make the experience a little less unnerving.

We visit two exhibitions that explore a pair of art movements from the 1960s.

Catholic leaders and the president are at odds over requiring Catholic organizations to cover contraception for employees, despite last week's compromise. Carol Marin and her panel take up the debate.

Cook County is forcing banks to keep up vacant properties undergoing foreclosure. But the city is being sued over a similar law. We look at the future of the County ordinance.

The 2012 Chicago Auto Show has something for everyone, from the practical and affordable to the stuff of car lovers' dreams. We take a look at some of this year's must-see cars.

One of Chicago's most important architects is the subject of a new exhibition. We talk with the notoriously outspoken Stanley Tigerman.

A unique building was one of several Chicago landmarks featured in a 1950 film. The movie starred a young actor who later became a screen legend. Geoffrey Baer has more in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Should Cook County ignore a request by federal immigration officials to keep illegal immigrants in jail longer? We hear some of your thoughts in tonight's Viewer Mail.

Eddie Arruza 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!

Recently, in the news, there was a story about a 24-year-old who gave up using a computer and a cell phone for 90 days. We put two Chicago Tonight staffers to the test to see if they could go "unplugged" -- for just one weekend! We asked them to share their experiences and photos.

Critics say the current Cook County policy has allowed undocumented immigrants accused of crimes to go back into the community, instead of being turned over to immigration officials. Paris Schutz has the story.

Does the so-called "turnaround" of an underperforming school really make it better? A new report from the University of Chicago has some answers. We hear from representatives of the Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union.

Illinois gets a billion dollars as part of a multi-state foreclosure settlement. Kris Kridel of  WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

The battle over a proposed police firing range on the city's South Side is ruffling a few feathers. We talk about new developments in the controversial plan.

It's a big year for Chicago's Joffrey Ballet. We hear all about it from the artistic director, and a visiting guest from the Royal Ballet in London.

Rare sculptures, lost and found. We hear about Marion Perkins, a talented Chicago artist whose career was cut short.

The five finalists have been chosen for a makeover of Navy Pier. We have your reaction to the designs in tonight's Viewer Mail.

A former ThyssenKrupp employee recounts his tale of discrimination, as Reverend Jesse Jackson prods the company to make big changes. Paris Schutz has the details.

Republican candidate Rick Santorum has made a clean sweep in the last three primaries. With Super Tuesday now less than a month away -- what's next for the campaign? Carol Marin and her panel tell us.