Stories by WTTW News

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss Moody’s downgrading of Chicago’s credit, the Obama Library coming to town, and more in this edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue the conversation by discussing media access to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner.  

Meet the newest inhabitants at the Shedd Aquriuam; kick off the street festival season; and enjoy a glass of wine while you stroll. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.

For the first time, Gov. Bruce Rauner discussed his concerns over the constitutionality of his and Senate President John Cullerton’s pension proposals. The governor also spoke about taking several of his turnaround agenda items “off the table,” but he wouldn’t say what those items were.

Moody’s Investors Service has issued a “credit negative” warning against the state in light of last Friday’s State Supreme Court ruling rejecting changes to public pensions. It’s a somewhat tepid response to the ruling, relative to the double ratings drop Moody’s applied to city of Chicago’s credit, resulting in junk bond status. In today’s report, Moody’s says the reforms could have reduced the unfunded pension liability by about $21 billion. 

Film director Spike Lee is giving few clues into the approach he'll take with his controversially titled Chiraq. But at a press conference this morning outside St. Sabina Church on the South Side, Lee did say “Chicago will survive” his take on the city’s violence that has made international headlines. We hear from the controversial director and some victims’ relatives about their support for Lee’s film which is currently in preproduction in Chicago.

Chicago magazine digs further into the Chicago Police Department’s homicide numbers a year after the magazine came out with two explosive reports by David Bernstein and Noah Isackson. The reporters detailed a number of incidents in which crimes were reclassified in order to fit the narrative that crime overall was falling in the city. A year later, the duo reports that CPD continues to undercount the city’s murders in New Tricks.

Should Chicago declare bankruptcy as its financial challenges grow in light of its credit downgrade to junk status by Moody’s Investors Service? We talk to a panel of experts about whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel should consider the move and what it would mean for city. 

President Obama's senior advisor Valerie Jarrett sounds off on what it took for Chicago to land the Obama Presidential Library and Foundation. Paris Schutz has the details. 

We revisit our story about the Driehaus Museum’s show, Maker & Muse, which takes an extensive look at art jewelry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A new special exhibit opens on Saturday with 40 species of amphibians. We talk with the Shedd Aquarium's Special Exhibits manager about the "ribbiting experience."

We share what you had to say about Paris Schutz’s chat with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and our segment on guitar crafters at Lakland Bass when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the credit ratings of both Chicago’s schools and parks, one day after its downgrade of the city’s debt to junk status.

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s On The Table, Chicago Tonight's Eddie Arruza hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions, and hopes for the region's future. Read his blog about the event and watch a video of what participants had to say.

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s On The Table, Chicago Tonight's Brandis Friedman hosted a dinner with area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions, and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog about the event and watch a video of what participants had to say.

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s On The Table, Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett hosted a dinner with eight area residents where they shared their thoughts, concerns, opinions, and hopes for the region's future. Read her blog about the event and watch a video of what participants had to say.

Hearings on pension funding and Amtrak funding are happening in Springfield today. We discuss these issues and more with Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky.

We speak with Mayor Rahm Emanuel about the Illinois Supreme Court ruling that found the 2013 pension reform law unconstitutional. What does that mean for Chicago’s pension reform? We’ll also ask him about the downgrading of the city’s credit rating to junk status and Obama Presidential Library coming to the South Side of Chicago. 

Just back from Nepal yesterday, we speak with a local doctor who was in Nepal providing knee and hip replacements. We get the latest from her on the unfolding humanitarian crisis.

Lakland Guitars has made an impact in their 20 years in Chicago. Their instruments are played by U2 and the Rolling Stones. Chicago Tonight goes behind-the-scenes to find out what it takes to make an electric bass that can bring a bottom-heavy sound to a band's rhythm section.

As part of the Chicago Community Trust’s On The Table, Chicago Tonight correspondents Eddie Arruza, Elizabeth Brackett, and Brandis Friedman hosted dinners with area residents on Tuesday. We hear from them and the dinner guests about the conversations they shared.

Moody’s downgraded the city of Chicago’s credit rating to junk status, leading Mayor Rahm Emanuel to call the credit rating agency “out of step” and its decision “irresponsible.”

After months of speculation, the Barack Obama Foundation officially announces the library is coming to the South Side of Chicago. But when and where will it be located exactly? Paris Schutz has the details.