Stories by Paris Schutz

As Mayor Rahm Emanuel defends his role in the Barbara Byrd-Bennett scandal, "Chicago Tonight" has learned of another controversial CPS contract with someone else Byrd-Bennett used to work for.

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett will reportedly plead guilty to a federal bribery indictment along with the co-owners of SUPES Academy, her former employer. We'll talk with the reporter who broke the story and the former CPS Inspector General who blew the whistle, as well as a former federal prosecutor.

Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. He gives us his take on the winless Lions in advance of Sunday’s game at Ford Field.

Heavily cited throughout the federal indictment against former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett are emails outlining the alleged kickback scheme tied to the controversial $20.5 million no-bid contract awarded to SUPES Academy. Tonight we’ll talk about the misconceptions and myths of email with Jeffrey Cramer, a former federal prosecutor who now heads the Chicago office of security firm Kroll. 

The Chicago Bears improved to 2-3 after another come-from-behind win, this time on the road at noisy Arrowhead Stadium. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins Ann Kreiter to give us his take on the game.

Anne-Marie Slaughter's article in The Atlantic, Why Women Still Can't Have It All, is now the most-read piece in the magazine's history. Her new book "Unfinished Business" expands upon the ideas in the article, and calls for a new valuation of caregiving and a change in the structure of the workplace. Slaughter joins us to discuss her new book.

Throughout the Chicago Cubs’ monumental 2015 playoff season, the team has displayed huge hearts through their performance on the field and charitable efforts off the field. One of the organization’s programs that has stepped up to the plate for those in need is Cubs Authentics, a program that is now donating 100 percent of its net profits of MLB authenticated game-used and autographed Cubs memorabilia to the Cubs Charities program.

From historical images of Vietnam to a stark look at the free market, here are the five stories "Chicago Tonight" readers were most interested in over the past seven days.

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the Cubs victory over the Pirates, corruption charges against former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and other top stories of the week.

From three Chicago MacArthur Foundation fellowship winners to Chicago aldermen calling for Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy’s ouster amid a rise in violence to the Bears first victory of the season: Test your news knowledge with this week's set of questions

A bombshell indictment: Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett is charged with 23 counts of federal corruption for her alleged role in a scheme to steer millions in CPS contracts to her former employer in exchange for millions in bribes and kickbacks.

Looking for a good time Chicago? Scope out our lineup of events for the whole weekend.

There were celebrations on the field last night in Pittsburgh—and on the streets of Wrigleyville. But in order have a repeat of those parties, the Cubs now need to get by the 100-win, archrival Cardinals, starting tomorrow night in St. Louis. How did the Cubs manage to shut-out the Pirates? And what are the chances that they can keep it going all the way to the World Series? Joining us to ponder those questions is Lester Munson, a senior writer for ESPN.com.

The past year has seen national attention for the Chicago-based production group. The group, which has offices in Chicago and LA, was behind the pilot for “Bobby & Iza,” which won NBC's Playground Contest last month, and additionally produced the web series that led to TV Land’s “Teachers,” now helmed by “Community’s” Alison Brie and set to premiere in January. 

The statistics are sobering. Twenty-six percent of women on college campuses report having been sexually assaulted, according to a new report. We discuss the report, the issue of sexual assaults on college campuses and the impact of a new Illinois law that requires higher education institutions to establish sexual violence policies and responses.

When we think wildlife, most of us think national parks and far-off forests. But an interactive science project called Chicago Wildlife Watch wants to show us that wildlife is, quite literally, right in our own backyards and outside our high-rise balconies. Seth Magle, director of the Urban Wildlife Institute at the Lincoln Park Zoo, tells us about Chicago Wildlife Watch and how we can all answer the call of the wild. 

Rob Zombie made a name for himself as a purveyor of monstrous rock ‘n’ roll and scary movies. He also helps create haunted houses around the country. We spoke with Zombie on location in west suburban Villa Park, the site of his "Great American Nightmare." 

We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories about Syrian refugees when we read viewer feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Split infinitives, over versus more than, and passive voice—fewer things have a tendency to launch otherwise reasonable people into a lengthy professorial lecture than real or perceived violations of immutable grammar and style rules.

As the state budget stalemate drags on for a fourth month, Gov. Bruce Rauner tries again to make his pitch for compromise. Paris Schutz has the story.

Plans to build the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art along the Chicago lakefront seem like a done deal, but not everyone is on board. Friends of the Parks, a Chicago nonprofit that advocates for the protection of public parks and spaces, has renewed its efforts to halt the development.

The Subversive Copy Editor (aka Carol Fisher Saller) returns to "Chicago Tonight," and she’s got her sights set on zombies. Zombie rules, to be specific. You know, those rules people cling on to that need to be buried once and for all. What grammar rules (or habits) make your skin crawl? Let us know–we may use your question on the show.

Crain’s Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer examines the bustling 26th street shopping corridor, the impact six new buildings would have on the city’s skyline and more.

A new exhibition in Chicago showcases a collection of rare images and films from Vietnam, and the cameramen–many of whom were enlisted soldiers– who captured them. Three such veterans join us to discuss their experiences documenting that war.