Stories by Paris Schutz

There are explosive new allegations that the Metra Board ousted CEO Alex Clifford over his refusal to capitulate to patronage demands made by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. We have analysis, and take a closer look at Clifford’s leaked memo that led to his $718,000 severance package – which critics are calling hush money and a waste of taxpayer funds. Read an article.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed Monday that the Justice Department is continuing to investigate the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin despite George Zimmerman's acquittal. Elizabeth Brackett has local reaction to the verdict, and what the next steps in the case may be.

Think of Chicago in 1893, and the World's Columbian Exposition comes to mind--with millions of visitors flooding the Midway to visit the White City. But 1893 was a seminal year for Chicago for at least a dozen other reasons, including something as seemingly insignificant as the debut of a new brand of chewing gum. Author Joseph Gustaitis joins us with stories from the year that changed Chicago forever. Read an article.

Complete with toys like 3-D printers and laser cutters, Harold Washington Library’s new maker lab is the first in Chicago that’s open to the public free of charge. We take you there. Read an article.

How do you price a piece of architectural art? Prairie style master Frank Lloyd Wright designed nearly 100 homes in the Chicago area, but now some owners are having trouble selling these homes. Chicago magazine's real estate expert Dennis Rodkin joins us to discuss why sellers are having trouble, and he tells us more about Chicago's housing market.

We share what you had to say about concealed carry legislation in Illinois in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

Community groups near Wrigley Field have requested a meeting with Mayor Rahm Emanuel about the proposed changes to Wrigley Field, now approved by the City’s Landmarks Commission.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

It was revealed this week that Chicago Public Schools' central office has decided to strip a majority of the funds raised by individual CPS schools. Joel Weisman and his panel of local journalists take a deeper look into the Sun-Times story. Watch the web extra conversation.

An independent comedy about youth baseball, 19th century fashion, and Irish step dancing. Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

With Illinois now the final state to allow concealed carry, law enforcement officials are putting in place the infrastructure to make it happen. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is here with details on how gun owners will apply for permits.

Was the former Metra CEO's big severance agreement hush money to cover a political hiring scandal? Lawmakers attempt to get answers Thursday. Paris Schutz has the story.

David Mosena, president of the Museum of Science and Industry, joins us to discuss the renowned museum’s future as it celebrates its 80th birthday. View a slideshow.

Chicago Tonight gets an inside look at the long-awaited Goodman Theatre production of The Jungle Book. Watch a web extra video and view a slideshow.

A new book takes a look at how Chicago became a leading lady on the silver screen. Hollywood on Lake Michigan looks at the city’s role in developing cinema throughout the past 100 years. View a slideshow and read an excerpt.

As a kid, Walter Arnold loved the gargoyles at the University of Chicago. Today, he is a master stone carver, trained in Italy and at Washington National Cathedral. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of Arnold.

A Chicago Tonight viewer captured this photograph on Grand Avenue west of Fairbanks in Chicago. Vote on our captions here and send us yours!

Gov. Pat Quinn suspended the salary of Illinois lawmakers for failing to reach a compromise on pension reform. Listen to Quinn's full announcement and read reaction.

Though the worst predictions about the sequestration -- such as severe unemployment benefit cuts, hour-long waits at airports, and four-hour waits at border crossings -- have not come true, other sectors have not been spared. Learn more about the impact of sequestration from two economists.

The Stanley Cup visits WTTW studios! Blackhawks President John McDonough and General Manager Stan Bowman join us. View a behind-the-scenes slideshow.

The Chicago Tribune has announced it’s splitting its broadcast and publishing divisions, a major shift for a company built on synergy between platforms. Lynne Marek from Crain’s Chicago Business joins us with analysis.

Joe Mangrum spends all day on a work of art, and then it’s gone. He creates sand paintings - improvisational and temporary works in public spaces, as well as museums, galleries and events. Jay Shefsky caught up with him as he made a commissioned sand painting in a downtown office lobby. We revisit the story. Read an article and watch a time-lapse video of sand art.

We revisit a conversation with trumpeter Herb Alpert and his Grammy award-winning wife, Chicagoan Lani Hall Alpert. View a timeline of Herb Alpert's career and watch a web extra conversation with the duo.

Concealed carry is legal in Illinois, as the legislature deals another blow to Gov. Pat Quinn. Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney has the details. View interactive graphics to see how Senate and House members voted.

In the year's second special session, the Illinois Senate votes to override Gov. Pat Quinn's concealed carry veto, 41-17. See how your senator voted in our interactive graphic.

The Illinois House voted against Gov. Pat Quinn's amendatory veto of concealed carry legislation, 77-31. See how House members voted in our interactive graphic.