Stories by WTTW News

Geoffrey Baer tells us about the man who amassed an impressive collection of artifacts, once housed in a private residence on Chicago's South Side, and where you can view it now, in tonight's Ask Geoffrey.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

On Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm, the jury forewoman from the Blagojevich retrial, along with two other jurors, joins Elizabeth Brackett to discuss the deliberation process and how they arrived at their verdict. We also spoke with two additional jurors from the trial. We asked Maya Moody and Rosemary Bennett a series of questions by phone on Tuesday, one day after they handed down their verdict in the corruption retrial, finding

On Wednesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that Walgreens’ new “Chicago Hometown Investment Initiative” will bring 600 new jobs to Chicago over the next two years. The initiative will also quadruple the number of Walgreens stores located in the city’s food deserts. This is the fifth major jobs announcement Mayor Emanuel has made during his term, for a total of 3,600 jobs. “This dual investment by Walgreens will have a profound effect on the city of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The 600 new jobs will have a strong impact on our economy, and the nearly 40 new stores will allow many of our residents to get fresh, healthy food for their families. This is an example of a corporation that is committed to both the City of Chicago and its mission.”

In Chicago and northeastern Illinois, ash trees are everywhere. And wherever there are ash trees, there's a good chance there are emerald ash borers (EAB). Despite their green color, these beetles are not good for the environment. They are, in fact, responsible for the destruction of the ash trees that comprise an estimated 20 percent of Chicago’s street trees. The EAB is native to Asia, but in June 2002, EABs were spotted in Michigan, their first appearance in the U.S. Six years later, an EAB infestation was confirmed at 29th and State Street in Chicago. Since then, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) has issued an eight-mile quarantine around areas with known EABs.

Eleven years after leaving office and it’s still the economy for former president Bill Clinton. He’s in town with his Clinton Global Initiative for a summit on jobs and spurring growth in the U.S. economy. He also had kind words for the city’s current mayor – his former White House staffer: Rahm Emanuel. “I predict to you his tenure will be one of the most brilliant chapters in this city’s long and storied history,” said Clinton. Chicago is the ideal place for the conference, he says, and not just because of Emanuel.

He was brilliant and passionate, hot-tempered and egotistical, and he altered the course of American architecture. Louis Sullivan's life story is like a Greek tragedy. And his buildings are works of great art. In the mid-twentieth century, many of his buildings were torn down and Sullivan himself was nearly forgotten.

The clash between nature and technology can be all too familiar these days. One man from suburban Chicago has set off to rediscover balance with nature, and explore a modern interpretation of Henry David Thoreau. Tom Montgomery Fate, author of Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father’s Search for the Wild, joins us on Chicago Tonight at 7:00 pm. The following is an excerpt from Fate's book:

Mayor Emanuel challenged organized labor to partner with him in solving a $30 million budget shortfall or face the loss of 625 city jobs. But city labor leaders say there have been absolutely no negotiations between the city and organized labor. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

When added up, Rod Blagojevich faces a maximum penalty of more than 200 years. We talk to three lawyers about sentencing guidelines and the reality of the former governor's future. What do you think would be a fair sentence for Blagojevich? Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Former president Bill Clinton joins his former staffer, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, right here in Chicago to launch a major initiative. Paris Schutz has the story. More on the Story: Web article Clinton's Global Initiative Chicago Tribune article

The hungry insect in question is the emerald ash borer which is devastating the area's ash trees. Jay Shefsky introduces us to some researchers who are trying to understand the bug well enough to find an ash tree that can co-exist with this pervasive pest.

One local man has set off to rediscover balance with nature, and explore a modern interpretation of Henry David Thoreau. We speak with the author of Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father's Search for the Wild. More on the Story: Read an excerpt from the book More on the book Author's website

Louis Sullivan altered the course of American architecture. We hear from the author and photographer of a new book on Sullivan that attempts to shed light on a master architect who was once underappreciated and some would say nearly forgotten.

An agreement between the City of Chicago and a number of labor unions is set to expire this week. Could this be the end of mandatory furlough days for city employees? Ash-har Quraishi tells us what Mayor Rahm Emanuel has to say about the issue.

One day later, the foreperson in the Blagojevich retrial along with two other jurors joins Elizabeth Brackett to discuss the verdict. More on the Story: Interviews with 2 Blago jurors Blagojevich Trial Verdict page Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

What will life be like for Blagojevich once his prison term begins? We talk with former George Ryan campaign manager and chief of staff Scott Fawell about his time in prison and what Blagojevich can expect. Chicago Magazine article Chicago Sun-Times article

Cindi Canary, former head of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka discuss the effect of the Blagojevich trial on the future of Illinois politics. Chicago Sun-Times article on Cindi Canary Illinois Campaign for Finance Reform State of Illinois Comptroller website

The Casey Anthony murder trial is big news across the nation, and cameras have been there to capture every moment in the courtroom. Cameras are not currently allowed in Illinois Federal court, but should they be? We take up the issue. Should cameras be allowed in Illinios courtrooms?

On day 10 of jury deliberations, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is found guilty on 17 of the 20 counts against him. Elizabeth Brackett was in court when the verdict was read and recounts the emotional and historic day. Blagojevich Trial Verdict

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says the people of Illinois are vindicated by the Blagojevich verdict. We hear from Carol Marin and her panel of legal experts on today's historic verdict and discuss what's next for the convicted former governor. "Breakdown of the Alleged Shakedowns"

The Blagojevich jurors speak out. To help us understand the verdict from their perspective, we speak with Jim Matsumoto, foreman of the previous Blagojevich jury and two jury consultants. Blagojevich Retrial page: Read Matsumoto's blog posts

As Rod Blagojevich faces the prospect of becoming the fourth Illinois governor to go to prison, Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at the embattled governor's political career. Blagojevich Retrial page: Watch videos from our Blagojevich Archive

We hear inside stories from reporters who witnessed the action in the courtroom, and we discuss what today's verdict means for corruption in Illinois. How do you think the Blagojevich verdict will impact politics in Illinois?

Jurors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption retrial have found the former Illinois governor guilty on 17 counts, not guilty on 1 count and were hung on 2 counts. The counts included wire fraud, extortion, bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to solicit bribes. The 20 counts involved five schemes: the marquee allegation of attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat; shaking down Children's Memorial Hospital; shaking down the Illinois Road Builders Association; attempting to extort a race track owner; and attempting to extort then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel.

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, newly released 911 tapes add even more controversy to the Memorial Day beach closings. The city's war on gangs nets 120 arrests as the top cop, Garry McCarthy, has vowed to "obliterate" them. The new school board approves hefty executive pay hikes as salary-slashed teachers protest, and CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard suggests teachers visit students' homes. An old court order from the Council Wars protects Ald. Ed Burke's controversial 24-7 police detail. ComEd is still reeling from the storm blackouts.