Stories by Paris Schutz
Human Service Backlog Leaves Mentally Ill Sitting in Jail
| Paris Schutz
Twenty Cook County defendants deemed unfit to stand trial are to be placed in a mental health facility. So why are they sitting in jail instead?
Trump, Clinton Face Off: Debate Prep, Tactics and Possible Pitfalls
| Nick Blumberg
Donald Trump attacks the media, and his accusers, as Hillary Clinton finds herself with a lead in national polls. A preview of what might be in store for Wednesday's final debate.
Chicago Ranked No. 2 Travel Destination in U.S. by Conde Nast
| Reuben Unrau
Chicago bumped San Francisco from its number two spot in this year’s ranking of U.S. travel destinations by Conde Nast Traveler.
Augmented Reality App Offers New Look at Eastland Disaster
| Jay Shefsky
A remarkable new app brings us face-to-face with the 1915 Chicago tragedy.
In East Chicago, Fallout from Toxic Soil Runs Deep in Community
| Elizabeth Brackett
East Chicago residents are getting the toxic soil dug out of their yards. But why has it taken the EPA so long to begin cleaning up these neighborhoods?
Civil Rights Icon on America’s Racial Divide, Then and Now
| Paul Caine
Ruby Bridges became a civil rights icon at the age of 6, when she became the first African-American child to attend a previously all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She joins us in discussion.
Ask Geoffrey: What’s the Plan for Lake Calumet?
| Erica Gunderson
Lake Calumet has changed shape and purpose many times over the years. Geoffrey Baer takes a look at its past and future in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Oct. 20-23
| Rebecca Palmore
A plethora of pumpkins, eerie mind games and Dr. Ruth usher in the weekend – and Halloween. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
UNO Charter School Network, Teachers Prevent Strike With Early Morning Deal
| Matt Masterson
The United Educators of UNO reached a tentative agreement early Wednesday morning with the UNO Charter School Network to stave off what would have been the nation’s first-ever charter school teacher strike.
Field Museum Turns to Public to Help Digitize Collection
| Reuben Unrau
It's home to an estimated 30 million objects from across the globe, but only about 25 percent of the Field Museum's collection has been cataloged in a digital database. Starting Thursday, volunteers can help grow that percentage.
Local Officials Scoff at Trump’s Claims of ‘Rigged Election’
| Paris Schutz
How difficult is large-scale voter fraud, and how are Illinois officials assuring the integrity of the upcoming election?
Vintage Sculpture ‘Concrete Traffic’ Goes for a Joyride
| Marc Vitali
A concrete Cadillac goes for a spin. We look at the restoration of this unusual work of art–and how it cemented its reputation.
IPRA Chief on Police Accountability, New Oversight Agency
| Evan Garcia
Sharon Fairley, the head of the city's Independent Police Review Authority, is here to talk about the new police oversight agency set to replace it.
Field Museum Offers to Ink Visitors for $250
| Alexandra Silets
In conjunction with “Tattoo,” the museum's latest exhibition on the history of the tattoo which opens Friday, it has opened a pop-up shop. Learn more.
Challenge and Change at The Second City
| WTTW News
Second City cast members report racist audience outbursts, and some cast and management have left the venerable theater. We take a closer look at recent changes with theater critic Chris Jones.
SUPES Co-Owner Pleads Guilty in Byrd-Bennett Bribery Scandal
| Matt Masterson
SUPES Academy CEO Gary Solomon pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in federal court Tuesday, opening the door for co-defendants Tom Vranas and Barbara Byrd-Bennett to be sentenced for their bribery scheme.
Paralyzed Man Regains Sense of Touch with Robotic Arm
U of C Research Provided ‘Blueprint’ for Study
| Kristen Thometz
A paralyzed man is able to experience the sense of touch through the use of a robotic arm controlled by his brain. The breakthrough was made possible, in part, by years of research by a University of Chicago professor.
Eighth Blackbird Takes Flight at Arts Club of Chicago
| Marc Vitali
The Grammy Award-winning ensemble Eighth Blackbird performs this weekend at the Arts Club of Chicago. We hear from them in conversation and performance.
Alderman’s Plan to Extend 606 Trail Faces Numerous Challenges
| Eddie Arruza
Chicago’s 606 trail is only a little over a year old and already there is an ambitious proposal to extend it.
Strike Deadline Looms for UNO Charter School Network, Teachers Union
| Brandis Friedman
The city narrowly missed a massive teachers’ strike last week, but another is brewing for parents at a major charter school operator.
Yoko Ono Unveils ‘Sky Landing’ in Jackson Park
| Nick Blumberg
Yoko Ono on Monday morning debuted her first public art installation in the Americas on Jackson Park’s Wooded Island.
U.S. High School Grad Rate Reaches Record Mark
| Matt Masterson
Illinois students are outpacing the U.S. average, while Chicago Public Schools says its graduation rate is growing at three times the national rate.
Local Crafting Group Knits Refugees, Immigrants Together
| Jay Shefsky
Immigrant and refugee women find joy, companionship and healing in knitting. Jay Shefsky takes us to their workshop.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Interim Top Cop Collecting $142K Annual City Pension While Earning $211K Salary, Records Show
Pritzker Signed 78 Bills Last Week, Including Requirements for Boater’s Insurance and Home Service Appointment Windows
Former President Barack Obama Surprises WNBA All-Stars While They Practice at His Presidential Center
What Impact Would a Switch to Permanent Daylight Saving Time Have?
Democrats Select South Carolina for Their First Presidential Nominating Contest in 2028 Election
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter