Stories by WTTW News

Did Illinois business leaders lobby ratings agencies to lower the state's bond rating? Paris Schutz has the latest details on a bizarre twist in the pension debate.

There’s a battle raging over the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s plan to require all residential and business buildings taller than four stories to be retrofitted with sprinkler systems costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Churches, restaurants, and any building used for gatherings of 50 or more people would also be required to add sprinklers. Opponents say the expense outweighs the fire safety benefits. Eddie Arruza and his guests analyze both sides.

When she was 13, Karsyn Terry took second place in a national, 14-and-under pool tournament. In the 24 years that this tournament has existed, Karsyn is the first African American to make the finals. Now, after a year of intensive training with her father, she is going for first place this weekend. Jay Shefsky has a profile. Read an article.

YouTube personality Emily Graslie, creator of the "The Brain Scoop” channel, joins us to talk about her new gig at the Field Museum as its Chief Curiosity Correspondent. She will also bring some friends from the Field’s collections to share. Watch Emily's online science videos.

You might remember her as the devilish Vera on Downton Abbey. But Irish singer, songwriter, and actress Maria Doyle Kennedy also has a heavenly singing voice. She joins us for a conversation and performance.

Ald. Joe Moore responds to ethics violations alleged by Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan. Watch the web extra video.

Illinois Rep. Deb Mell is officially sworn in to her new City Council job as alderman of the 33rd ward and her father Ald. Dick Mell's replacement. Paris Schutz has the details on that, and response from Ald. Joe Moore about ethics investigations news we broke on Sunday. Watch web extra video.

Chicago Public Schools introduced its 2014 school budget on Wednesday amid protesting parents and teachers. Officials say they will fill the $1 billion budget gap with $68 million in classroom cuts and the use of $700 million from reserve funds. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

School closings, ethics probes and more; we have the latest City Council news from our aldermanic roundtable.

Thirty-six years ago, Star Wars exploded onto the screen and made cinematic history. The blockbuster film began what would become a multi-billion dollar empire for George Lucas, and spawned companies like Industrial Light & Magic, and Pixar. We revisit Ash-har Quraishi's story of how Chicago played a pivotal role in sci-fi cinematic history. Read an article, view a slideshow, and watch web extra video.

The ninth annual BlogHer conference takes place in Chicago this week at the McCormick Convention Center and the Sheraton Chicago. Created for women and men who feel that blogging has transformed their lives, BlogHer media company was co-founded by Chicago native Jory Des Jardins in 2005. Des Jardins is hosting the annual conference in Chicago this week, which features keynote speaker Queen Latifah and Hollywood producer Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead). She joins us. Read an interview with a local blogger.

Hyde Park is famous for being home to presidents, politicians and religious leaders. It is also known for its highly integrated community. A new book captures the visually fascinating history of the evolution of the neighborhood in photos from 1850 to today.

The deal to renovate Wrigley Field looks to have finally crossed the plate. A City Council committee unanimously approved the deal Tuesday after some furious late inning, back room negotiations. Read an article and the mayor's statement.

We take a look at Chicago’s rebounding housing market. How does the city compare with the rest of the county? And will this upward trend continue? Elizabeth Brackett and her guests discuss the issue.

It's official! Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton welcomed a baby boy in London. Author, blogger and local Brit-commentator Toni Hargis joins us with details about the hoopla surrounding the birth of the royal baby.

The Fashion Outlets of Chicago is set to make its big grand opening in Rosemont next week. We take you inside the mega outlet mall to see what developers say will be a game changer in area retail shopping. Read an article and view a slideshow.

Are leaders born or bred? Loyola University business ethics professor Al Gini joins us to discuss his book, 10 Virtues of Outstanding Leaders. Read an excerpt. 

Chicagoan Allegra Rosenberg, 17, has become a YouTube sensation, writing songs beloved by fans of Doctor Who, BBC Sherlock and other off-beat pop culture hits. We revist Jay Shefsky's profile. Watch music videos.

Chicago cop-turned-actor Dennis Farina died today at age 69. Watch web extra video of Farina from WTTW's archives.

Rogers Park Ald. Joe Moore, known as a progressive, is responding today to charges of ethical misconduct. A report issued by the city's legislative inspector general concludes an alderman engaged in theft and abuse of authority. Chicago Tonight first reported the story last night on our website and confirmed the alderman in question is the 49th ward's Joe Moore.Read an article.

The Chicago Public Schools have announced more layoffs. This round cuts more than 2,100 people, including 1,036 teachers -- half of whom are tenured. This reduction follows the June announcement of 855 layoffs. Eddie Arruza and his guests examine the latest round of cuts, and how it will impact students and the system’s $1 billion budget deficit. Read the CPS fact sheet.

Sen. Dick Durbin urges all law enforcement agencies to use the federal database resources to track guns found at crime scenes. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read Durbin's letter.

In the wake of Detroit filing for bankruptcy last week, we take a look at the possibility of Chicago following the Motor City into financial calamity. Is Chicago’s recent bond rating downgrade a sign of things to come? Or is the city in a totally different situation than Detroit? We have analysis.

A playwright uses the internet to develop a new script about the fight to build a suburban mosque. We get a preview of Mosque Alert by Silk Road Rising and Jamil Khoury. Watch a video and read an interview.

We take a look at Chicago's famous skyscrapers-- and the political deals that shaped them. Author Thomas Leslie joins us with more from Chicago Skyscrapers: 1871-1934. Read an interview.

We share what you had to say about Ald. Joe Moore caught in an ethics investigation and on the Better Government Association's hospital investigation in tonight’s Viewer Feedback.