Stories by Christine Hurley

Illinois leaders are reacting today to a state Supreme Court ruling that could spell doom for state and city pension fixes. In a 6-1 decision, the court in a separate case deemed cuts to public retiree health benefits unconstitutional. 

Happy Independence Day! Need ideas for the Fourth of July weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on. 

Chicago chefs are rallying against the use of antibiotics in livestock. We revisit the discussion we had with our panel about what this means for city consumers and diners.

No more pencils, but plenty of books. With summer underway and the holiday weekend ahead, we revisit our discussion of hot reads for the season with our literary panel.

July 1 was V-Day in Chicago. Ventra is the only pre-paid fare system for all CTA buses and trains. We'll tell you what riders think of Ventra more than six months after its botched rollout.

CPS officials say they will close a massive budget gap this year with an accounting change that will result in a $650 million windfall. Paris Schutz has more on how that works and reaction from the teacher’s union.

We talk with the attorney representing the group fighting to change Illinois’ self-serving remapping process. 

Data-collecting sensors in the "Array of Things" project are set to go up on city lamp posts by mid-July. But some tech insiders are questioning the amount of data to be stored and whether or not personal privacy is a concern.

The Goodman Theatre stages a beloved American musical that hasn't had a major revival in more than 30 years.

Geoffrey Baer answers the questions of six viewers who wonder what's up with weird objects in and around Chicago.

The governor signs a bill relaxing voter restrictions, but Republicans say it's a backhanded ploy to elect more Democrats. Paris Schutz has the very latest.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard is stepping down early from the position he’s held since 1993 in order to become the new RTA chairman. We talk to him about the transition and goals for the transit agency.

Now into summer, Chicago weather continues to fluctuate between sun, fog, and storms. WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skiling joins us with why summer has gotten off to a foggy start. Send us your severe weather photos here and we'll use them in our online slideshow.

The Common Core State Standards set expectations for what children should know and learn. Originally adopted by 47 states including Illinois, major pushback against the standards has now developed.

Hollye Jacobs was a nurse, social worker and child development specialist, when she found herself moving into the role of a patient. We revisit her journey through surviving breast cancer and her new book, The Silver Lining, a supportive guide to help other cancer survivors. Read book excerpts, view a slideshow, and read an interview with the book's photographer.

Paul McCartney is a huge fan of Rene Magritte. And then there are the album covers influenced by Magritte.

An extraordinary look at everyday objects, the Art Institute’s summer blockbuster is “Rene Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary.” Don’t miss it.

The Supreme Court hands down the last of the 2013-2014 session decisions. We hear from Constitutional experts and former Supreme Court clerks about the rulings.

A new state budget that both Republicans and Democrats say is out of whack goes into effect tomorrow, with a few new wrinkles. Paris Schutz has latest. 

So what exactly would be wrong with building the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in a parking lot between Soldier Field and McCormick Place? 

The great surrealist Rene Magritte gets an exhibition at the Art Institute that delves into the early part of his career, when he evolved as an artist and created many of the dream-like paintings that came to identify his signature style.

We dive into recent headlines surrounding Chicago Public Schools.

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Petitions calling for limiting Illinois legislators’ terms and political redistricting hit a major road block that could keep them off the November ballot. 

A triathlon, a Greek food festival and a symphony performance; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.