Stories by WTTW News
New $14.5M Farm Purchase Raises Eyebrows
Cook County Forest Preserve Acquisition Largest in 45 years
The Cook County Forest Preserve District makes its biggest land purchase in nearly 50 years snapping up a foreclosed 400 acre horse farm in Barrington Hills. We look at how the Forest Preserve was able to afford the $14.5 million property and what it might become.
James 'Big Cat' Williams Talks NFL Draft
Former Bear Breaks Down This Year's Draft
Coming off the worst defensive season in Chicago Bears history, it's no surprise General Manager Phil Emery used this year's draft to beef up the team's defense. Read an interview with the Bears new signee and former Northern Illinois University quarterback, Jordan Lynch.
Viewer Feedback 5/12
Crain's Corner: Web Do-it-Yourself Eye Exams Coming Soon
We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.
Weekend Events Around Town: 5/9 - 5/11
A film festival, an orchestra concert and a Mother's Day celebration; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.
Web Extra: The Week in Review: 5/9
Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 5/9
On this edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Joel Weisman and his guest discuss this week's headlines.
Web Extra: Brenda Myers-Powell Shares Her Personal Story
Brenda Myers-Powell is the executive director of The Dreamcatcher Foundation. Read her firsthand account of human trafficking.
Islamic Groups Denounce Nigerian Abductions
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) and the Nigerian Islamic Association decry the kidnappings and violence in Nigeria. They also distance themselves from Boko Haram, saying the terrorist group is extremist, but not Islamic. The U.K. have also joined the international effort to rescue the girls.
Chicago's Human Trafficking
As the nation rallies together to bring back the girls abducted in Nigeria, nearly 25,000 women and girls fall victim to trafficking in Chicago every year. Tonight, we address Chicago’s human trafficking problems, possible solutions.
Crain's Corner
Web Do-it-Yourself Eye Exams Coming Soon
Do-it-yourself online eye exams could transform the world of optometry. We talk to a Crain’s Chicago Business reporter about a local start-up that has just scored $1 million in seed money to make it happen.
Sayonara ‘Sausage Superstore’
Hot Doug’s to Close in October
Iconic gourmet hot dog spot Hot Doug’s, known for its exotic hot dogs and sausages as well as its duck fat fries, is closing. Hot Doug’s owner Doug Sohn tears himself away from the counter to tell us about his decision to close the “sausage superstore.”
Sacred Artist
As a Muslim girl growing up in Turkey, Meltem Aktas wasn’t planning to make a career of Christian art. We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of the sacred artist. View a slideshow of her work.
Celebrating Studs Terkel
Three-Day Festival to Honor His Life, Work
The University of Chicago and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts will host Let’s Get Working, a three-day festival honoring the life and work of Chicago icon and University of Chicago alum Studs Terkel.
Viewer Feedback: 5/8
Crain's Corner: Smartphone App Rollout to Pay Parking Meter Looms
We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer feedback.
A Mother and Son in Verse
Chicago Family Transcends Tragic Twists of Fate
Gail and Morris Barazani have been married for 66 years – longer than their only son was alive...
Illinois Gubernatorial Election 2014
Welcome to Chicago Tonight’s online coverage of Illinois' 2014 Gubernatorial Election. We’ve gathered information here about the final candidates, Democrat Pat Quinn, Republican Bruce Rauner, and Libertarian Chad Grimm.
City v. Park Grill Case Advances
The City of Chicago's lawsuit against the Chicago Park District and the owners of the Park Grill in Millennium Park is in its second week in the Daley Center. Check in for the latest developments.
Race for Governor Heats Up
We’re at the six-month mark to the General Election. The gubernatorial race heats up as both Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican candidate Bruce Rauner come under scrutiny. We take a look at that and more.
Crain's Corner
Tech Stock Drama
The volatility of tech stocks are apparent today with an 18 percent plummet for Groupon as it moves from email-based business to a marketplace setting. Twitter also took a 20 percent hit this week. But analysts are buzzing about Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, some say it could have the largest initial public offering in tech history.
Web Extra: Cook County Parenting Course
Read an interview with Tedi McClain and Ebenezer Amalraj of Cook County Jail's Alpha Parenting Course.
Prairie Perennials Inspire Home Gardens
New Book Highlights Lessons Learned from the Lurie Garden
We talk to the author of a new book, “Gardening with Perennials,” about lessons local gardeners can learn from Chicago’s Lurie Garden. This unique Millennium Park garden pays homage to Chicago's transformation from flat marshland to innovative green city.
Ask Geoffrey: 5/7
Geoffrey Uncovers Missing Mahler Brother and More
Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a missing Mahler brother, Chicago’s hippie haven, and Evanston’s Cary Grant connection in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Quinn Initiative Faces Another Blow
Yet another probe into Gov. Pat Quinn's troubled $55 million anti-violence initiative, as a GOP lawmaker seeks to get subpoena power over the program started by Quinn in 2010. Read the original State's Auditor General report. Watch web extra videos.
Shift on Public Prayer
The Supreme Court's decision on May 5 upheld the right to public prayer in civic settings. Does the close 5-4 vote indicate a new tilt toward conservatism? Is the decision an expansion of rights for communities?
Crain's Corner
Smartphone App Rollout to Pay Parking Meter Looms
Chicago is expanding its pay-by-smartphone app to pay parking meters. The plan is to have the service for all Chicago parking meters by summer's end.
Trending
Chicago Bears Say They Are Moving Forward With a Move to Indiana
Obama Presidential Center Is Ready for Its Close-Up: First Look at Obama Foundation’s ‘Beacon of Hope’ and Economic Engine
Officials Hold Groundbreaking for $7B Project to Redevelop Area Surrounding United Center
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Launches Chicago Mayoral Campaign
Victory Lap on Digital Ad Tax Was Premature, Brandon Johnson Acknowledges
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