Stories by Hunter Clauss

A state agency charged with preserving landmarks finds itself listed on a list of “most endangered historic places” by another preservation group. The 44-year-old nonprofit Landmarks Illinois unveiled Wednesday its annual list of historic places across the state that are in jeopardy, and it included the state’s Historic Preservation Agency.

In its first meeting since Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett took administrative leave, members of the CPS Board of Education discussed the recent series of events causing further instability for the school district.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel won a second term in office in this month's runoff election. He joins Chicago Tonight for a forum with Mikva Challenge high school students who'll ask him about his priorities for his second term and how he plans to address issues facing young people in Chicago.

The city’s parks will have to find a new best friend. The head of Friends of the Parks said Tuesday that she will step down as the 40-year-old nonprofit sues to prevent the construction of the George Lucas museum on the lakefront. 

On Monday, a Cook County judge acquitted Chicago Police Detective Dante Servin for the fatal off-duty shooting of Rekia Boyd in March 2012. We discuss the fallout from that court ruling.

African-American teenagers are talking about how standard police practices like stop and frisk affect them in the long term, and the police are listening. We hear about the groundbreaking work to bring kids and police together to hear each other's experiences and to make changes.

Change of Heart tells the story of one woman's journey of forgiveness after a 16-year-old boy murdered her sister and brother-in-law. Jeanne Bishop recounts how her faith, career, and family allowed her to make peace. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former Chicago Public Schools CEO, is in town for the Education Writers Association National Seminar. Brandis Friedman has the latest. 

WTTW's new web series, Foodphiles, looks at Chicago area restaurants and the diverse characters who keep them cooking.

Chicago Sun-Times Theater Critic Hedy Weiss joins us to review the latest musicals and dramas on Chicago area stages.

Cardinal Francis George died at his residence Friday after a long battle with cancer. Services for Cardinal Francis George will be held this week at Holy Name Cathedral.

House Speaker Michael Madigan will convene a special oversight panel that will meet Tuesday to look at the budget cuts proposed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. As the governor marks 100 days in office this week, we examine his term so far with Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky.

Chicago Public School has appointed Chicago Board of Education Vice President Jesse Ruiz as interim CPS CEO, replacing Barbara Byrd-Bennett who is taking a paid leave of absence amidst a federal investigation of a $20.5 million no-bid contract. What are the implications of this on CPS contract negotiations with the Chicago Teachers Union? Carol Marin and her panel discuss the latest CPS news and the future of the district.

Low-level drug offenders will no longer be prosecuted in Cook County. Instead, they'll be sent to treatment. Paris Schutz has more on a major shift in drug policy.

Author Peter Slevin has covered both Barack and Michelle Obama for many years. The former Washington Post reporter, who's now on staff at Northwestern University's journalism school, joins us to talk about his new book tracing Michelle Obama's family background, her upbringing and education, and her life with her husband.

For three days starting April 30, the NFL Draft will be held in Chicago for the first time since 1964. The National Football League as well as Chicago organizers say the event will be a major extravaganza that will turn parts of downtown Chicago into professional football's second biggest event of the year. But the draft is arriving with some controversies. We hear why organizers believe the draft will be a major showcase for the city while some observers think it will be only be a showcase for the NFL.

The 25th anniversary of the Hubble telescope is this month, scientists find a potential breakthrough in our understanding of Alzheimer's disease, and the likelihood of finding life on Mars just went up. Rabiah Mayas, Director of Science and Integrated Strategies at the Museum of Science and Industry, rounds up the top local and international science news.

We share what you had to say about the federal investigation of Chicago Public Schools  in tonight's viewer feedback.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has taken a leave of absence amidst a federal investigation into a no-bid contract awarded to a company that once employed her.

Cardinal Francis George has died at age 78 after years of battling cancer. Chicago Tonight looks back on his life and career.

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists break down the week's top local stories, including the federal investigation of CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and the Blackhawks' quest for their sixth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Eddie Arruza, Craig Dellimore, Dana Kozlov and Danny Ecker discuss the ramifications of director Spike Lee's proposed film project, Chiraq.

Watch a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic; tour the largest waterwaste plant on earth; and celebrate and feast on America's favorite cured meat. Chicago Tonight has your weekend picks.