Stories by Paul Caine

Illinois is one of only three states that does not tax retirement income. That cost the state $2.2 billion in FY 2013, and along with other tax breaks the total revenue the state is foregoing is close to $9 billion. Is it time to reassess and end at least some of these tax breaks? Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, is just back from Springfield and joins us to share his thoughts.

Officials say the outbreak of the so-called dog flu throughout the Chicago area is now of greater concern than originally thought. Dr. Donna Alexander, administrator of the Cook County Department of Animal & Rabies Control, tells us what the latest findings mean for pets and what animal control officials are doing to contain the outbreak.

Chicagoans are solving mysteries and playing games on date night and loving it! A panel of Chicago's gamers and puzzlers will talk about how geek has become chic -- and how you can get in on the play.

On the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, we revisit a story about a man who built – from scratch -- a full-size working replica of the 1860’s steam locomotive that pulled Lincoln’s funeral train. When Jay Shefsky introduced us to Dave Kloke in July 2014, Dave and a team of volunteers had finished the locomotive and had begun work on replica of the Lincoln Funeral Car. Chicago Tonight takes a look at the nearly complete Funeral Car.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel picked a transition team filled with familiar names, including Chicago Transit Authority President Forrest Claypool and businessman Michael Sacks.

Victims of disgraced Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge would receive reparations under a new agreement reached by the mayor, City Council, and advocates of Burge torture victims. Find out what the package includes.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton reacts to Gov. Bruce Rauner's rosy projections for a budget deal. We have the details.

In 2010, Robert Blagojevich was on trial alongside his brother, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, on corruption charges. All of the charges against Robert were dropped while his brother would have a retrial. Robert discusses the details of the first trial and his current relationship with his brother.

The bridges spanning the Chicago River have played an intrinsic role in Chicago’s development as an epicenter of industry and transportation. It was here that a new kind of bascule bridge, or drawbridge, was innovated and engineered to perfection. Patrick McBriarty, author of Chicago River Bridges, joins us to discuss how the bridges shaped the city.

Lyric Opera presents its annual musical, Carousel. Singers will discuss and perform two songs from the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein show.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed big cuts to try and close a $6 billion budget gap, all the while traveling the state promoting a right-to-work agenda. We go one-on-one with the governor about his many controversial proposals in his first Chicago Tonight interview since the election.

Robert Blagojevich, the brother of convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, joins us to discuss his own legal experience beating the odds of a conviction, which is also the subject of his new book, Fundraiser A: My Fight for Freedom and Justice.

Jack Yonover is one of an increasing number of kids who have to watch what they eat to avoid potentially life-threatening nuts. The Wilmette teenager is also a budding filmmaker and has created an impressive documentary about the dangers of nut allergies from a kid's perspective. Yonover tells us about his documentary that is already drawing attention from health professionals and film festivals.

Jack Bishop from the hit PBS television show America's Test Kitchen talks about the newest book, The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook. Bishop will give us some recipes to try as well as talk about the 15th season of the hit series.

The documentary The Homestretch premieres Monday at 9:00 pm on WTTW11. It follows three homeless young people in Chicago as they struggle to graduate high school and navigate their future. That's followed by a Chicago Tonight special edition at 10:00 pm, where host Phil Ponce sat down with three of the documentary subjects to talk about where their lives have taken them since the events of the film, and he also spoke with the filmmakers who spearheaded the project.

Gov. Bruce Rauner declared DeKalb and Ogle counties state disaster areas after severe thunderstorms and tornadoes tore through the area Thursday. At least two people were reported dead in DeKalb County and dozens were injured.

From the mayoral runoff to Wrigley Field's potty problem, politics and sports dominate the conversation between Joel Weisman and his panel of local reporters.  

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the political future of Jesús "Chuy" García, and former congressman Aaron Schock's mounting legal problems.

Listen to Debussy sonatas played by a violin virtuoso; watch a hybrid jazz and Hindu temple dance; and sample Latin America’s cinematic offerings. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.

Some key City Council races are still too close to call. Could it be bad news for Mayor Rahm Emanuel? We have the details.

Hundreds of Chicago area dogs have gotten sick and a number have died from what is believed to be an especially virulent "dog flu." A Chicago veterinarian tells us what the disease is, why it's especially bad, and offers advice about what loving dog owners should and should not do.

Amy Campanelli, a veteran attorney who's worked in the public defender's office for many years, has been confirmed as Cook County's newest public defender. We speak with Campanelli about her priorities for the office, which include reforming bonding to reduce the jail population.

Walgreens is closing 200 stores in the U.S. -- the most the company has done at once. The cost-cutting move comes as a result of the merger with Boots Alliance. Crain's Chicago Business retail reporter Brigid Sweeney has the latest details.