Stories by Paris Schutz

Paris Schutz reports on why a race for Illinois State Representative between two Chicagoans is turning ugly, and has powerful Democratic party insiders on edge. Read an article.

Is social media fueling Chicago gang wars? We take a closer look at the phenomena with Ben Austen, a journalist who took an in-depth look at how Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram -- among many others on the world wide web --- have contributed to escalating tensions and street violence in Chicago. Read an interview with former gang leader and community activist Hal Baskin.

Who knew that the king of gothic cartoons came from Chicago? We visit an in-depth exhibit of Edward Gorey -- who influenced everyone from Maurice Sendak to Tim Burton -- at the Loyola University Museum of Art. View a slideshow of artwork.

Edward Gorey was a Chicagoan. It’s amazing how many people are unaware (myself included, until recently) that the great Gorey was born in Chicago in 1925.

From North Shore native to international opera star, tenor Matthew Polenzani joins us to talk about growing up in Chicago and his stellar career. And he shows us why he's one of the most sought-after operatic performers.

Chicago actor, writer and director Harold Ramis died at age 69. Watch web extra video interviews with Ramis from WTTW's archives.

After more than a decade on the run, notorious drug kingpin Joaquín "el Chapo" Guzmán was captured by Mexican authorities on Saturday. We hear from the head of the Chicago Crime Commission on Guzmán's arrest, and the chances that he'll ever be brought to trial in Chicago where he was indicted in 2009 on numerous charges by federal authorities. View a timeline of Joaquín "el Chapo" Guzmán's criminal career.

Gary, Indiana Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson joins us to discuss drug courts, Gary making progress and more. Watch her state of the city address and read an interview about the War on Drugs.

Former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych is on the lam, wanted for his role in the mass murder of dozens of protestors in Kiev. We hear the latest about the unrest in Ukraine, and get a primer on its history and politics from Northwestern University history professor Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern.  

A new phenomenon in hip hop music, called drill music, is unique to Chicago and gaining in popularity. We talk with one of the genre’s rising stars and examine the criticisms of the music’s lyrics. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

We talk with Chicago Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin about the article series, “Designed in Chicago, Made in China” that details the rapid urbanization of China and the role Chicago architects play in the expansion. View a slideshow of China's urbanization efforts.

We share what you had to say about our conversation with ADHD Doesn't Exist author Dr. Richard Saul and the ruling to expedite same-sex marraige licenses when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Gay couples can now tie the knot in Chicago’s Cook County. Read an interview with Cook County Clerk David Orr and watch a web extra video interview with Charlie Gurion and David Wilk, the first gay couple to get a marriage license today.

More winter storms rock the Chicago area; the Republican candidates for governor debate in Springfield, while Gov. Pat Quinn refuses to debate Democratic opponent Tio Hardiman; the faculty at UIC stages a strike to demand higher wages; and Northwestern football players state their case to unionize to the National Labor Relations Board.

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists discuss Illinois’ pension reform overhaul. Watch the web extra video.

A musical, a historical exhibit and a dance camp; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Clowns are funny. Clowns are scary. Clowns are divisive – people love ‘em or hate ‘em.

A flood watch and high wind warning is in effect for the Chicago area as temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees today. WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling has the latest details. View the city's Pothole Tracker map.

Northern Illinois University President Douglas Baker discusses rising tuition costs, what universities of the future will look like, and his new position as the university’s president. View a graphic on local universities' rising costs.

It’s the earth’s largest freshwater resource. But what will happen in the next 100 years to the Great Lakes and the Great Water Basin? We talk with Phil Enquist, an Urban Designer, about sustainability, strategies, and about urban design aimed at eliminating waste and to ensure fresh water for future generations. View a slideshow.

We meet the Chicago doctor who claims in a provocative new book that ADHD does not exist. Read a book excerpt.

Wish you could get decision-making down to a science? University of Illinois professor Ali Abbas is a leader in the decision analysis field and has created a social website that breaks down theory and practice for its users to make quality life choices. He joins us. Read an interview.

Maria Nezhdanova is a 13-year-old singer from Sochi, Russia who will join us with a performance in studio. She is currently experiencing American culture as a guest of the Chicago Language Travel Company, and she’ll perform as a special guest for the Old Town School of Folk Music on March 5. Listen to an audio clip of her singing and watch a web extra performance.

We share what some of you had to say about our conversations with Judge Diane Wood and Rabiah Mayas when we read some of your viewer feedback.

A free new app is a fun and easy way to improve your writing. Brothers Ben and Adam Long created a program that aims to simplify your writing in the style of Ernest Hemingway.

A National Labor Relations Board hearing is underway to determine whether or not Northwestern University's football team can form a union. Eddie Arruza has the latest developments from today's hearing.