Stories by Nick Blumberg

Gov. Bruce Rauner and legislative leaders are trying to find ways to close a gap in the current year's budget and will soon start debating the governor's austere proposal for the coming fiscal year. We talk with lawmakers about what to expect.

Election Day is tomorrow. Besides the high-profile race for mayor of Chicago, there are several elections playing out among the city's 50 wards. Which races are highly contested? We discuss the issues and dynamics that define this aldermanic election season.

After the shocking murder of three Muslim Americans in North Carolina, we examine whether Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crimes are on the rise. In a post-9/11 world, is it inevitable that some people will always view Muslim Americans with suspicion? And what role has mainstream media and movies such as American Sniper and Zero Dark Thirty played in demonizing all Arabs and stirring anti-Muslim sentiment? We have analysis.

The nearly 40-acre site of the former Finkl Steel Company is prime real estate in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. After the company's move to the south side of Chicago last year, there are  many questions over how to reuse and revitalize the parcel of land Finkl left behind.

In an effort to better inform voters about the candidates running for Mayor of Chicago, WTTW offered all five of the candidates free air time to address our audience directly. Candidate Free Time is an unedited two minutes of air time to give viewers a concise, unfiltered look at where the candidates stand.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss this week’s headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss further the likelihood of a mayoral runoff election.

President Obama Names Pullman Historic District a National Monument Gov. Rauner's Budget Cuts A Half Century of Creative Musicianship with the AACM A ’Mockingbird’ Rediscovered Viewer Feedback: 2/19

Chicago Volunteer Expo, Maker & Muse, and Free at First; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

The president visits the Pullman neighborhood to commemorate its new National Monument Designation.

Gov. Rauner's budget cuts funding to Medicaid and public transportation, and recommends changes to public worker pension plans. We take a look at what would be the likely impact on services and public worker pensions should Gov. Rauner's proposed budget become law. 

The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) celebrates 50 years with Free at First, a new exhibition at the DuSable Museum.

The author of The Mockingbird Next Door details her friendship with Harper Lee, the reclusive author of the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird. We revisit the conversation.

We share what you had to say about Gov. Rauner's budget address, the Civic Federation's five-year budget roadmap, and our interview with Victor Henderson, the attorney representing the Jackie Robinson West Little League, in tonight's viewer feedback.

In an effort to better inform voters about the candidates running for Mayor of Chicago, WTTW offered all five of the candidates free air time to address our audience directly. Candidate Free Time is an unedited two minutes of air time to give viewers a concise, unfiltered look at where the candidates stand.

Unpacking Gov. Rauner's Budget Address Gov. Rauner Unveils His Budget Jeb Bush Speech at Chicago Council on Global Affairs Finding Finkl's Future 2015 Academy Awards Ask Geoffrey: 2/18

Gov. Bruce Rauner reveals his fiscal plans for the state today. What spending cuts should Illinois residents anticipate and how does Rauner plan to dig the state out of a colossal hole of debt? Illinois Public Radio's Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky breaks down Rauner's budget address.

Gov. Bruce Rauner releases his budget for the coming fiscal year. We'll analyze his priorities with fiscal experts, and discuss how likely he is to get the Democratically controlled General Assembly to see things his way.

Possible presidential contender Jeb Bush delivers a foreign policy speech and raises money in Chicago. We have the details.

The 87th Academy Awards are on Sunday and there is substantial buzz over who will win Best Picture. From the innovative film Birdman starring Michael Keaton to Richard Linklater's work Boyhood that spanned 12 years, the competition is stiff. Who made the cut and who got snubbed? Chicago film critics Jeanne Kaplan and Ray Pride join us to discuss the year's best films.

Geoffrey Baer looks into the history of the African-American community in Lake Forest and tells the sandy story of a streetcar secret in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.

In an effort to better inform voters about the candidates running for Mayor of Chicago, WTTW offered all five of the candidates free air time to address our audience directly. Candidate Free Time is an unedited two minutes of air time to give viewers a concise, unfiltered look at where the candidates stand.

Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration has been tight-lipped about its first budget proposal, as it grapples with a potential $6 billion hole for next year. But, sources familiar with the plan say the pain will be spread far and wide, with $1.5 billion in cuts expected in the state's Medicaid program, and $387 million to higher education, a 31 percent reduction.

State of the Budget Who is the "Superstar" On Gov. Rauner's Team? Family to Contest Ernie Banks' Will Scientific Chicago with Neil Shubin "The Italian Americans"

Gov. Bruce Rauner is preparing for his first budget address. We get a preview from Illinois Public Radio's Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky.

When Gov. Bruce Rauner announced the hiring of former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, he called the two-term Republican a "superstar governor" with a proven track record. We'll learn more about Lingle's time in office and her legacy in Hawaii from Chad Blair, political reporter for the Honolulu Civil Beat.