Stories by Associated Press
Records: 75 Percent of Revoked Illinois Gun Licenses Ignored
| Associated Press
Police say that of the people who received gun license revocations last year in Illinois, more than 75 percent ignored the notices.
‘Empire’ Producers Cut Smollett from Season’s Last Episodes
| Associated Press
The producers of the TV show “Empire” say Jussie Smollett’s character will be removed from the final two episodes of this season.
Chicago Film Critics Reveal Their Top Oscars Picks
| Nicole Cardos
The 91st Academy Awards ceremony takes place Sunday night. We check in with two Chicago film critics ahead of the big night.
Dark Money at Play as Graduated Income Tax Fight Begins
| Amanda Vinicky
The fight over Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax is already being influenced by nonprofit groups that are not required to disclose their donors.
Illinois Joins Lawsuit Against Trump’s Emergency Wall Declaration
| Alexandra Silets
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined his counterparts in 15 other states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for declaring a national emergency to build a wall on the southern U.S. border.
Chicago Wrestling Coach Pays it Forward While Building a Dynasty
| Jay Shefsky
In just a few years, Ron Wilson reintroduced Bowen High School’s wrestling program and turned it into a city and regional powerhouse. Now, Wilson, a special education teacher turned firefighter, continues to lead the Boilermakers.
Gary Sinise Discusses New Book, Supporting Veterans and Early Steppenwolf Days
| Marc Vitali
Gary Sinise spoke with Chicago Tonight about his new book, “Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service,” his work advocating for veterans and the history of Steppenwolf Theatre.
Prosecutor: Jussie Smollett Gave Detailed Instructions for Fake Attack
| Associated Press
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett walked out of the Cook County jail on Thursday about two hours after a hearing in which the judge set his bond at $100,000.
Brookfield Zoo at Forefront of Fight to Save World’s Most Trafficked Animal
| Paul Caine
Researchers estimate that more than one million pangolins have been taken from the wild over the past decade as demand has soared for their meat and scales. What one local institution is doing to save these scaly anteaters.
Police: Jussie Smollett’s Staged Attack a ‘Slap in the Face’ to Chicago
CPD superintendent says actor took advantage of “pain and anger and racism” in Chicago for his own benefit
| Matt Masterson
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the “pain and anger and racism” in Chicago in order to promote his own career, police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said Thursday.
Lawyer Likens R. Kelly to Beethoven to Explain Studio Move
| Associated Press
R&B singer R. Kelly is moving out of his Chicago recording studio because a judge has stymied his creativity by barring him from working there overnight due to building-code violations, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Chicago Police Arrest ‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett
| Associated Press
Facing accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday.
Spotlight Politics: Incumbent Aldermen Under Pressure
| Paris Schutz
Six days to go until Chicago’s mayoral and aldermanic elections, and in many races, it’s anybody's guess who will win. Paris Schutz and Carol Marin take us behind the scenes in this week's political roundtable.
‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett Charged with Disorderly Conduct
| Matt Masterson
Hours after Chicago police deemed him a “suspect” in his own alleged attack, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett has been charged with disorderly conduct, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.
Pritkzer’s ‘Austere’ Budget Relies on Pension Plan, New Taxes
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled his first budget proposal Wednesday, calling it an “austere” spending plan meant to serve as a “bridge” to future budgets.
How Did Chicago Mayoral Candidates Perform in TV Forums?
| Evan Garcia
Northwestern University communications professor Jason DeSanto breaks down the performance of Chicago mayoral candidates during a series of televised forums.
In ‘The Abuelas,’ a Chilling Episode in Argentina’s History Washes Up on Lake Shore Drive
| Hedy Weiss
Stephanie Alison Walker’s new play serves as a chilling reminder of a particularly horrific period in Argentina’s history when, from 1976 to 1983, that nation was under the thumb of a brutal military dictatorship.
Longtime North Side Electronics Repair Shop Struggling to Stay Afloat
| Marc Vitali
For almost 50 years, 20th Century TV and Stereo has repaired stereos, tape decks, VCRs and more. But the mom-and-pop shop is fighting to remain relevant as technology continues to evolve.
Officials React to Pritzker’s State Budget Address
| Paul Caine
State and local politicians and officials weigh in on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s first state budget address.
Don’t Want Kids? New Chicago Startup Helps Provide Free Birth Control
| Brandis Friedman
A new Chicago startup called Juno4Me connects women with free birth control from reputable health care providers.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 21-24
| Kristen Thometz
Blooming orchids, an outdoor beer fest and a massive bike ride usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Pritzker to Unveil State Budget Proposal, Facing $3B Deficit
| Paul Caine
Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveils his first annual budget proposal amid an estimated $3.2 billion deficit and billions more in unpaid bills. Watch the address and get complete coverage throughout the day.
Kim Foxx Recuses Herself from Jussie Smollett Case
| Associated Press
Chicago's top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor.
Mayoral Candidates Play Nice in Final WTTW Forum
| Paris Schutz
If the mayoral candidate forum Monday was punctuated by testy exchanges between Susana Mendoza and Bill Daley, Tuesday’s crew of five candidates – moderated by Carol Marin – kept it mostly civil.
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