Stories by Jay Smith

He’s considered one of the best managers in baseball. Today, the Cubs introduced Joe Maddon as the 54th manager in franchise history. Maddon replaces Rick Renteria, who was hired just one year ago. 

Carol Marin and her guests take one last look at the candidates and campaigns before votes are cast tomorrow.

Chicago has been synonymous with election chicanery in the past, but Election Board officials today are describing a new controversy that they say they've never seen before. Paris Schutz has the latest on that, and more on how voters are being asked to amend the Illinois Constitution when they vote tomorrow. 

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart gives Chicago Tonight an exclusive look at the jail's new Mental Health Transition Center.

Controversial author and activist Naomi Klein discusses This Changes Everything, her new book about climate change and the culprit she blames for it: capitalism.

The Chicago Cubs announced Friday the team would move forward without manager Rick Renteria.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists recap this week's headlines.

Joel Weisman and his guests continue their conversation online with more about the Catholic school closings and the Mayor’s race.  

New exhibition shines light on the artful illustrations that flowered in France during a dangerous era.

A film festival, a ball, and Halloween festivities; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Approaching his last days as the leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George announces that low enrollment and limited budgets mean tough choices. The school system is closing seven schools, and consolidating six others.

The latest poll shows the gubernatorial race in a dead heat between the two front-runners. We analyze the numbers and the final five-day push before Election Day on Tuesday.

Chad Grimm, the Libertarian Party candidate for Illinois Governor, visits Chicago Tonight to talk about his vision for Illinois and why he sees himself as the only legitimate candidate for change.

For the first time, Illinois voters can register and vote on the same day. Chicago Tonight takes a look behind the new law that allows Illinois voters to register to vote on Election Day.

Historian Francis Fukuyama visits Chicago Tonight to talk about his new book, Political Order and Political Decay, the second volume of a sweeping study of how human societies develop good governance, and how those same societies can fall into decline.

We share your reactions to last night's U.S. Senate Forum in tonight's Viewer Feedback.

U.S. Senate candidates for Illinois  -- Sen. Dick Durbin and Jim Oberweis -- gave a brief news conference following the forum.

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican challenger Jim Oberweis go head-to-head in Chicago Tonight’s Senate Forum.

The Archdiocese of Chicago announced a number of school consolidations, re-purposing, and closings as part of its 2013-2016 Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools.

We speak with a one-time actor who worked with Boris Karloff and Walt Disney—and served three tours of duty in Vietnam.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner is calling for a travel ban on visitors from West African countries most affected by Ebola, while Gov. Pat Quinn has instituted mandatory quarantine for anyone thought to be at high risk of catching Ebola. But is the science being lost in this debate? Paris Schutz has the story. 

Paul Vallas, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, discusses the vision he and running mate Gov. Pat Quinn have for Illinois. 

Whether you support Chicago neighborhood schools or the creation of more charters, many residents agree that something needs to be done to bolster Chicago's education system. But how did we get to this point? A new docu-series traces the history of school strife in Chicago and the issues facing our youngest generation to spur conversation and change.  

Naomi Judd joins us to talk about her music career with her daughter, Wynonna, and her fight against Hepatitis C.

Chicago's Ella Jenkins has been writing and performing music for children since the 1950s. We revisit Jay Shefsky's portrait of the beloved and influential artist.

Cook County Commissioner Jesús “Chuy” García exclusively tells Carol Marin that he will run for mayor of Chicago in the 2015 election. García joins us in-studio to talk about his political future.