Stories by WTTW News

Rain levels are extremely low for this time of year. Ash-har Quraishi talks with Tom Skilling about how severe the Illinois drought is, and what to do about it.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is on medical leave of absence for "exhaustion." Why did it take two weeks for his office to announce his departure? Carol Marin has the latest.

A Barack Obama presidential library at the University of Chicago? Find out why one U of C professor gives that idea a failing grade.

We explore how small, pop-up, organic community gardens are challenging people's perceptions about life in Chicago.

Public faith in the country's leaders and institutions has plummeted. MSNBC host Chris Hayes argues that the cause can be traced to social reforms of the 1960s. He's here to discuss his new book.

Lookingglass Theatre puts Chicago history onstage with Eastland. Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss reviews this, and two other local shows.

Jay Shefsky has the story of an unusual friendship that led a Mexican immigrant to own the last kosher fish market in the Chicago area.

Sen. Dick Durbin reacts to the news that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down key parts of an Arizona law that sought to deter illegal immigration. Paris Schutz reports.

There's more bad news on the state of the city's pension funds. What's being done in Springfield to solve the problem? Carol Marin talks with two legislators, and the author of a new report.

West Side residents accuse for-profit recyclers of fostering a crime wave by accepting materials stolen from the neighborhood. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

When it comes to AIDS, Illinois is fifth nationwide in its number of diagnoses. We talk with the director of the Department of Public Health about his efforts to improve that number.

Does an Avondale mural combine Polish patriotic and hip-hop elements? Geoffrey Baer explores this beautiful piece in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Did you know that the City of Chicago provides a partial rebate for the purchase of native plants? We have more information in tonight's Viewer Mail.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

The clock is ticking while a pension reform deal is fading. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Newly released data shows home sales in Illinois are up from last year. We have the details.

Is the Merchandise Mart about to get a major new tenant? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

Unraveling the past to create the future. Modern Turkish rugs are going green. Ash-har Quraishi takes us to Turkey to show us the innovative carpet designs, and how you can find them right here in Chicago.

Chicago's Museum of Broadcast Communications has a new home. We speak with founder Bruce DuMont.

You may not know it, but the plants in your garden might be harmful to the environment. We learn how growing plants native to Illinois can boost the local ecosystem.

LeRoy Neiman died on Thursday at the age of 91. We revisit an interview with the colorful painter of the sporting and entertainment world from our vault.

We asked if you think pot possession violators should get a ticket or go to jail. We read what some of you had to say in Viewer Mail.

A key figure in the Blagojevich trial is arrested. Raghuveer Nayak, a longtime fundraiser for Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. pled not guilty to a 19-count indictment. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

It's the first day of summer and the sunbathers are out in force. What steps should be taken to protect your skin, and what are some warning signs of cancer? We hear from local dermatologists.