Stories by Marc Vitali
Restored Art Installation Invites Reflection on Consequences of War
| Marc Vitali
A prominent work of art has been out of the public eye for almost five years. Titled “Above and Beyond,” the installation commemorates American soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, and it's back on display at the Harold Washington Library.
Political Life of Abraham Lincoln Chronicled in New Book Series
| Andrea Guthmann
The political life of America’s 16th president is being told in a new multi-volume series by Chicago native Sidney Blumenthal.
Weekend Events: Memorial Day Edition
| Meredith Francis
Enjoy the long weekend with a long list of things to do around town, including a performance by the Chicago Children’s Choir, the opening of the new Ferris wheel at Navy Pier and the annual Bike the Drive event.
What Do New Overtime Rules Mean for Workers, Businesses?
| Hunter Clauss
How will the Obama administration’s expansion of overtime affect businesses and employee wages? We look at the new rules.
Governor, Republicans Slam Democratic Budget Proposal
| Paris Schutz
Democrats propose a budget that includes hundreds of millions more for Chicago Public Schools. The latest from a heated day in Springfield.
CPS Preps for Last-Minute Funding Pitch
| Brandis Friedman
As parents rally for education funding outside of CPS headquarters, district officials prepare for an even bigger rally in Springfield.
Crain’s Roundup: Cubs, Sox, Blackhawks Court Corporate Clients
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago sports teams are turning to their heroes of the past to boost the team brands, and a billionaire biotech pioneer wants to revive print newspapers, and he's putting his money on Tribune Publishing. Crain's Chicago Business has the story.
‘Heroes on Deck’ Reveals Story Behind WWII Pilots, Sunken Aircraft
| Marc Vitali
A new documentary tells the amazing story of World War II aviators who earned their wings aboard makeshift aircraft carriers on Lake Michigan.
Ron Magers’ Final Newscast After 51-Year Career
| Nick Blumberg
Ron Magers signs off Wednesday night after 51 years in television news, including almost 35 in Chicago. He started here at WMAQ-Channel 5, where he co-anchored with “Chicago Tonight” host Carol Marin for 13 years. In April, Magers sat down for a conversation with his former “TV wife.”
Delmark Records an Encore for Local Jazz, Blues Enthusiast Bob Koester
| Eddie Arruza
The legendary owner of a storied Chicago record store is back in business after a very brief retirement.
Ask Geoffrey: Earl ‘Madman’ Muntz’s Crazy Chicago Story
| Erica Gunderson
Did a used-car salesman design and build his sleek and sporty luxury car right here in Chicago? Geoffrey Baer has that story and more.
Turning Wastewater into Fertilizer, MWRD Plant Battles Nutrient Pollution
| Paul Caine
A brand new water treatment facility that takes wastewater and creates high-grade fertilizer comes online for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in Stickney.
Illinois Fiscal Watchdog Under Investigation for Campaign Spending
| Alexandra Silets
The state's fiscal watchdog, Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, is under federal investigation. Meet the citizen watchdogs who broke the story.
Lawmaker Meetings Continue, But No State Budget
| Nick Blumberg
There was a flurry of late-session activity in the Illinois House and Senate on Tuesday, but still no budget deal.
Volunteers Collect Dead, Injured Birds in the Loop
| Evan Garcia
Since 2003, a group called the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors has made it their mission to collect birds that have been killed or injured after striking buildings and other structures.
US Federal Reserve Expected to Increase Interest Rate
| Dan Andries
Excitement on Wall Street as a possible interest rate hike approaches. Why some surprises in the U.S. economy have investors and analysts feeling good.
Faced with Water Crisis, Waukesha Looks to Lake Michigan for Help
Activists warn of ‘dangerous precedent’ if Lake Michigan water diverted
| Elizabeth Brackett
The city of Waukesha, Wisconsin wants to take just over eight million gallons of water a day from Lake Michigan for the city's drinking water. But environmental activists warn that allowing access could set a dangerous precedent.
Strategies for Container Gardening in Chicago
| Erica Gunderson
If you’re one of the many Chicagoans living in an apartment or condo with limited outdoor space, growing your own food can seem like a challenge – but, Jeanne Nolan says, anything you can grow in the ground can be grown in a container with just a few adjustments.
Rauner Pushes for Compromise as Spring Session Draws to a Close
| Andrea Guthmann
Eight days left in the General Assembly's spring session. Is there any end in sight to the budget impasse? We have a live report from the state capital.
Independent Maps Group Responds to Lawsuit
| Nick Blumberg
Days after a bipartisan group filed a constitutional amendment that would take redistricting out of the hands of state lawmakers, a lawsuit was filed to get the proposal thrown out.
Long Lines, Missed Flights: Inspecting the TSA’s Airport Crisis
| Hunter Clauss
Pack a book because those long, soul-crushing lines at O’Hare and Midway airports aren’t going away any time soon. We look at what this means for the future of the TSA.
Dick Durbin Responds to Speculation He’ll Run for Governor in 2018
| Paris Schutz
Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois did not entirely shoot down rumors that he’s considering a run for governor in 2018, but he did ask those speculating to “cool it” and focus instead on a state budget.
Will Americans Digest New Nutrition Labels?
| Alexandra Silets
The Food and Drug Administration announced its first major change to food nutrition labels since the early 1990s. Will the new information about sugar, calories and serving sizes help people with their diets, or do most people ignore food labels?
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