Stories by Marc Vitali

For the 49th consecutive year, the Museum of Science of Industry hosts its Black Creativity program, a celebration of achievements by African-American artists and innovators. 

He’s been making hats and gloves for 45 years, but they’re not designed to keep us warm. Meet the man behind some eye-catching creations.

Embattled 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke, clad in a top hat and overcoat, is seen in a video shared with Chicago Tonight handing out shoulder bags at a polling place during November’s general election.

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett told Chicago police that his attackers seemed to know who he was before they beat him and tied a rope around his neck.

Educators say Chicago International Charter School leadership refuses to use a $36 million surplus on staff raises or classroom improvements. Around 2,200 students are being impacted by the strike.

The patriarch of the family behind the Chicago Cubs has apologized after an online media outlet published emails in which he took part in racist comments and conspiracy theories.

Watch the Feb. 4, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Some robocalls are helpful, but most – representing politicians or telemarketers – have become an annoying fact of life. We speak with the author of a new guide aimed at preventing those automated calls.

With an historic agreement in place, what does the road ahead look like for police reform in Chicago? We speak with community activist William Calloway and Northwestern University law professor Sheila Bedi.

Chicago has an operating budget shortfall of nearly $100 million – a hole that mayoral candidate Amara Enyia says she has the skills to tackle. But documents show Enyia is struggling to manage her own finances.

How can readers know whether a news site is trustworthy? There’s a web browser plug-in created by the company NewsGuard to help determine just that.

Opponents of the $6 billion proposal are calling for more affordable housing units. “Affordable housing is a crisis throughout the entire city,” said Ald. James Cappleman, who is spearheading the opposition.

The lead prosecutor in the Jason Van Dyke murder trial says he’s spoken with the state’s top legal officer about the possibility of challenging the prison sentence handed down to the former Chicago police officer.

Chicagoans Darren and Genevieve Coady are getting ready for their first summer as owners of a lakeside resort in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. 

Margaret Hart, who served as a WWCI trustee from 1986 to 2010, died Jan. 27 at her home in Lake Forest. She was 97 years old.

O’Hare International Airport had more than 903,000 arrivals and departures during 2018, according to data released Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration. Atlanta’s airport came in second.

House Speaker Michael Madigan has been a player in state politics for the better part of his 76 years. What a newly released deposition reveals about the famously guarded speaker and his 13th Ward Organization.

Christina Ham’s play, “Nina Simone: Four Women,” is the anatomy of a song. And by extension, it is the anatomy of the angry, emotionally wounded singer, songwriter, pianist and civil rights activist who wrote it.

Chicago police release surveillance photos in the hopes of identifying a man suspected of robbing a pair of downtown banks in broad daylight last month.

“Wildlife Photographer of the Year,” based on the prestigious photography competition of the same name, will feature 100 winning photos selected among 45,000 submissions from 95 countries. We preview the show.

Viagra, massages and toddler togs in the expanding corruption investigation at City Hall. Federal oversight is coming to the Chicago Police Department. An alleged hate crime involving a TV actor. And “Chiberia” paralyzes the city.

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the political split within the billionaire Ricketts family and which mayoral candidates they support.

Gino Garcia’s work to raise awareness of domestic violence caught the attention of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski. On Tuesday, Garcia will attend Trump’s address as a guest of the congressman. 

Not even the polar vortex could deter the performers and audience as Porchlight Music Theatre opened its altogether bravura production this week. This brilliantly conceived and equally brilliantly performed show was meant to defy the odds on every count.

In his first public comments since reporting an attack, actor Jussie Smollett said he’s working with authorities and has been “100% factual,” disputing rumors online that he has been less than forthcoming with Chicago police.

The Chicago Police Department points to an increase in officers and an expansion in technology in helping draw down crime and violence totals in the first 31 days of 2019.