Stories by Matt Masterson

The Board of Education voted Wednesday to add STEM-focused magnet programs at Brown, Claremont and Jungman elementary schools beginning this fall.

Corrupt and greedy politicians, a poorly educated citizenry skeptical of science and “facts,” and short-term thinking about the impact of pollution on health were all issues in 1882 when the play debuted and still resonate today.

Not one of the incumbents in Illinois’ 18 congressional districts lost their party’s nomination in the March primary. From Lipinski to Quigley to “Chuy” Garcia, see how these primary races shook out.

Despite a challenge from former Chicago alderman and unsuccessful mayoral candidate Bob Fioretti, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will once again take the top post in Cook County for what she says will be her final term.

Brace yourselves, Illinois residents. The matchup between Gov. Bruce Rauner and venture capitalist J.B. Pritkzer virtually guarantees incessant campaigning and political ads leading up to the Nov. 6 general election.

State Sen. Kwame Raoul has won a hard-fought race against a crowded field of eight candidates vying to be the Democratic nominee for Illinois attorney general. He will face political neophyte and former Miss America Erika Harold who won the GOP nomination.

In a blow to the Democratic establishment in Cook County, Fritz Kaegi has defeated incumbent Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios. “The old machine style is no match for the people of Cook County,” Kaegi told a gathering of supporters. 

Watch the March 20, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

A British firm is accused of using personal Facebook data of millions to help Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.

Nearly 30 years ago, artist Keith Haring enlisted the help of 500 Chicago students to paint a 488-foot long mural. Chicago Tonight caught up with a trio of those teens who grew up to be artists themselves. 

A local jazz singer joins us for her take on the musical compositions of Fred Rogers, the late host of the eponymous children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” 

Despite the industry’s recent decline and new tariffs, Illinois’ solar market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, according to a new report. 

A record-setting early voting period did not extend through primary election day. A look at voter turnout in Chicago and the suburbs.

Watch the March 19, 2018 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

A conversation with on-again, off-again Cook County assessor candidate Andrea Raila, now that she’s on the ballot.

The Loyola Ramblers get ready for their Sweet 16 matchup after Saturday’s stunning last-second victory.

Voters across the state are heading to the polls. Three political reporters give us their takes on noteworthy primary races.

The Chinese tech company Foxconn wants to withdraw 7 million gallons of water a day from Lake Michigan for its proposed new Wisconsin plant. But would that violate the compact to protect the Great Lakes?

The Chicago Board of Elections says nearly 86,000 city residents cast ballots between Feb. 21 and March 18, surpassing the number of early voters in the 2010 and 2014 midterm primary elections combined. 

A group of men carried out more than a dozen armed robberies in the Albany Park neighborhood early Monday, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Community organizers opposing a new wave of school closures criticized Chicago’s pursuit of landing Amazon’s second headquarters, saying minority residents are being pushed aside to make way for the tech giant.

St. Patrick’s Day festivities kicked off a day early at Brookfield Zoo last week, where seals, camels, lemurs, orangutans and gorillas got shamrock-shaped and green-colored treats.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, director and screenwriter joins us to talk about his new book – and the city that inspired it.

A memorable moment from the film version of Peter Shaffer’s play, “Amadeus,” came rushing back to mind as I listened to this weekend’s glorious, spirit-altering concert by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which opened with Haydn’s “Symphony No. 89” and was followed by two works by his younger contemporary, Mozart.

J.B. Pritzker’s offshore holdings draw fire. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoes a gun dealer bill. Should the public be able to fire the Chicago Police chief? And Loyola rambles on in the NCAA tournament.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the massive O’Hare expansion plan and why Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pulling Chicago out of the running to host the 2026 World Cup.