Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

The yet-to-be-named chick is healthy and being hand-reared by animal care staff, the zoo said this week.

With the race for governor winnowed down, Democrat J.B. Pritzker and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner are wasting no time in going after one another. 

Watch the March 21, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Spring blooms, tattoo ink, a march against gun violence and a chef-driven food fest usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Meet the primary winners set to take on suburban incumbent U.S. Reps. Peter Roskam and Brad Schneider in the November general election.

A big-picture look at what the primary results say about where November’s election might be headed.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul emerged from a crowded field to win the Democratic nomination for attorney general – beating former Gov. Pat Quinn and six others in the process. He joins us in discussion.

Erika Harold is a Harvard-trained lawyer and former Miss America. Strongly backed by Gov. Bruce Rauner, she is also the Republican candidate to replace Lisa Madigan as Illinois’ next attorney general. Harold joins us in discussion.

A political newcomer takes down one of the most powerful men in Chicago politics: Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios. We speak with Fritz Kaegi.

The Board of Education voted Wednesday to add STEM-focused magnet programs at Brown, Claremont and Jungman elementary schools beginning this fall.

Corrupt and greedy politicians, a poorly educated citizenry skeptical of science and “facts,” and short-term thinking about the impact of pollution on health were all issues in 1882 when the play debuted and still resonate today.

Not one of the incumbents in Illinois’ 18 congressional districts lost their party’s nomination in the March primary. From Lipinski to Quigley to “Chuy” Garcia, see how these primary races shook out.

Despite a challenge from former Chicago alderman and unsuccessful mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will once again take the top post in Cook County for what she says will be her final term.

Brace yourselves, Illinois residents. The matchup between Gov. Bruce Rauner and venture capitalist J.B. Pritkzer virtually guarantees incessant campaigning and political ads leading up to the Nov. 6 general election.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul has won a hard-fought race against a crowded field of eight candidates vying to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois attorney general. He will face political neophyte and former Miss America Erika Harold who won the GOP nomination.

In a blow to the Democratic establishment in Cook County, Fritz Kaegi has defeated incumbent Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios. “The old machine style is no match for the people of Cook County,” Kaegi told a gathering of supporters. 

Watch the March 20, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

A British firm is accused of using personal Facebook data of millions to help Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.

Nearly 30 years ago, artist Keith Haring enlisted the help of 500 Chicago students to paint a 488-foot long mural. Chicago Tonight caught up with a trio of those teens who grew up to be artists themselves. 

A local jazz singer joins us for her take on the musical compositions of Fred Rogers, the late host of the eponymous children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” 

Despite the industry’s recent decline and new tariffs, Illinois’ solar market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, according to a new report. 

A record-setting early voting period did not extend through primary election day. A look at voter turnout in Chicago and the suburbs.

Watch the March 19, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

A conversation with on-again, off-again Cook County assessor candidate Andrea Raila, now that she’s on the ballot.

The Loyola Ramblers get ready for their Sweet 16 matchup after Saturday’s stunning last-second victory.

Voters across the state are heading to the polls. Three political reporters give us their takes on noteworthy primary races.