Stories by Nick Blumberg

The Better Government Association reports that some Illinois municipalities struggling with high debt loads and troubled budgets could be looking at bankruptcy as an option to get out of a financial hole -- even though it's technically illegal.

We have some timely tax tips from Dave Henderson of Duggan Bertsch.

The Chicago Bears lost their third straight game, with their offensive freefall on full display for a nationally televised audience. James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take on Jay Cutler's poor performance, and the defense's inability to stop Drew Brees.

Specimen Products is the brainchild of Ian Schneller. He's an artist and musician who makes and repairs stringed instruments and audio equipment. He also runs a school that teaches people to make a variety of instruments and audio equipment; but Schneller's real hope is that his students discover the disappearing art of making things by hand without the aid of a computer.

The Atlantic correspondent and author Ta-Nehisi Coates discusses his thoughts on the students at North Lawndale College Prep, his mea culpa for glossing over the accusations against Bill Cosby in the past, and he explains why The Case for Reparations is unrelated to the black conservatives’ argument.

There is some clarity today on what will happen to the Illinois comptroller's office in the wake of Judy Baar Topinka's death.

Abner Mikva talks about a lifetime of public service and what it was like to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama.

What's behind the plunging price of gas and how low can it go? An oil industry analyst gives us some insights.

With support from the Chicago Public Education Fund, a CPS K-12 magnet school is using time and technology to benefit students.

More Chicagoans than ever are leaving the church. Why is this and can the new archbishop help turn around the trend?

Tony Award-winning writer and longtime theater critic John Lahr has written an authoritative biography on the life and work of playwright Tennessee Williams. Lahr also shares memories of his father, the actor Bert Lahr.

Amnesty International partnered with art-based nonprofit Donda’s House in the fight for human rights.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week’s headlines.

Joel Weisman and his guests continue their conversation online with a discussion of the competition for the Obama Library. Must it be on public park land? Could New York still get the nod?

Vape? Bae? Lumbersexual? What do you think the Word of the Year for 2014 should be? Share your nominations in the comments section below. And join us on Wednesday, Dec. 17, when we hear from linguists who tell us what words were on everybody's lips this year and why.

Redmoon's Winter Pageant, The Nutcracker, the Music Box Christmas Show; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Chicago is about to get more green space. We preview two long-anticipated new parks slated to open this weekend.

Last year's winter was known as "Chiberia." Will this year's winter be a repeat? We talk with WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling about what to expect in the winter weather forecast.

Time is winding down for Chicago high-rises to comply with the Life Safety Evaluation Ordinance. We get the latest from the Department of Buildings Commissioner Felicia Davis.

We share what you had to say about a new retirement law and the proposal to require Chicago gas stations to sell E15 gasoline in tonight's viewer feedback.

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who died at the age of 70, is remembered for her personality, beliefs, and sense of style. 

Judy Baar Topinka joins Phil Ponce for a one-on-one conversation about her campaign for governor and vision for Illinois. Democratic candidate, incumbent Gov. Rod Blagojevich, initially agreed to be a part of the program, but later canceled his appearance.

Wild Chicago’s Will Clinger pays Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka an irreverent visit.

Illinois Treasurer and State Republican Party Chair Judy Baar Topinka invites Chicago Tonight’s Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano into her Riverside home for a tour of memorabilia, art, and a little accordion playing.

Judy Baar Topinka joins Phil Ponce in an episode of Chicago Sunday from June 5, 2005 to talk about the new state budget… and complains that it doesn’t make the proper pension payments.

Officials react to Judy Baar Topinka's death.