Stories by Marc Vitali

An Artist in Hiding

One Woman’s Passionate Chronicle of Life During Wartime

Charlotte Salomon’s art is a fantastic expression of her own personal drama. “It is my whole life.”

Judge to Rule on Fair Maps, Term Limits Amendments

Will a judge throw out the voter-led efforts to institute term limits on lawmakers and to change the state's redistricting process? Paris Schutz has latest. 

Declining Credit Ratings Put Chicago at Risk

Banks could claim nearly $200 million from Chicago if the city's credit rating drops three more notches because of existing interest rate swaps made by Richard Daley's administration. 

Increasing HPV Vaccination Rates

At 38 percent, the HPV vaccination rate of teens in Chicago is higher than the national average of 28 percent. But  the vaccination rate is still, too low.

Northerly Island Transformation Nears Completion

The city and ecologists are close to finishing Chicago's newest park – an ecologically diverse habitat on what was once Meigs Field. We'll talk to two planners involved with Northerly Island's transformation.

Film Documents Life and Work of Jens Jensen

We talk with coproducer Carey Lundin about her new film documenting the life and work of conservationist and renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen known for his passion in preserving parks and green spaces throughout Chicago and the Midwest.

Paying His Debt to Society

There are hundreds of yoga studios in the Chicago area. But in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side there is, as far as we know, just one.  We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile on Marshawn Feltus, who learned yoga during his time in prison for murder and is now trying to repay the community he damaged by operating his own studio. 

Viewer Feedback: 6/18

We share what you had to say about recent stories when we read our viewer feedback.

Fair Maps Voter Amendment Faces Roadblocks

Should an independent commission – instead of political power brokers – decide how to redraw state legislative maps every year? That is the question a grassroots organization is attempting to put before voters on the November ballot. But their effort may be in peril due to some major roadblocks.

Election Officials to Decide Fate of Amendment

Will Amendment for Independent Redistricting Be on Ballot?

Will an amendment asking voters to choose whether they'd like an independent process to redraw legislative maps actually make it to the November ballot? A lot depends on what elections officials decide today. Paris Schutz has more.

Sighting of Signs

Will the Trump Tower sign start a new trend? We take a look at the history of Chicago signage, and why this topic is such a hot debate.

1871 Gets $2.5 Million State Grant for Expansion

One of Chicago's top technology incubators, 1871, is getting a substantial state grant to expand its Merchandise Mart space another 25,000 square feet.

Giant Heads Turn Heads in Millennium Park

Jaume Plensa's newest sculptures featuring giant heads open to the public this summer in Chicago's Millennium Park. We talk with the Catalan Spanish artist and sculptor on his inspiration behind his latest installation.

New Discovery Questions Earth's Origins

After a decades long search, scientists have found a vast reserve of water 400 miles beneath the Earth's surface that could support new theories on how the planet formed.

Jon Langford

We revisit a profile of Wales native and Chicago rocker Jon Langford, whose latest project involves melding songs and paintings.  

Chicago Released from Shakman Decree

A judge declares the city of Chicago free of a 45-year lawsuit regarding political hiring. But is patronage really dead? Paris Schutz has the latest. 

Stabilizing Iraq

Should the United States Get Involved?

With Iraq on the brink of imploding as city after city falls to fighters from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS), we talk to a panel of experts about how we reached this point and what, if anything, the United States should do.

Chicago Contenders for Obama Library

Contenders hoping to secure the future home of the Obama presidential library have until today to submit initial proposals. We take a look at some of the proposed sites locally. 

Meet Chicago Public Media’s New CEO

After a nationwide search, Chicago Public Media hires Goli Sheikholeslami as its new CEO. She joins us to talk about her time on the job and vision for the future of public radio. 

Tiffany Art at Driehaus Museum

We revisit a story of treasures created by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany in an amazing setting – the restored Gilded Age mansion that houses the Driehaus Museum.

Web Extra: The Week In Review: 6/13

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss weekly headlines. 

Weekend Events Around Town: 6/13 - 6/15

A blues festival, a food truck rally and a Father's Day cookout; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: 6/13

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

Blues for the Taking

City’s Largest Free Music Festival Brings the Blues (and the Soul and the Funk and the Folk and the…)

This weekend the 31st annual Chicago Blues Festival electrifies Grant Park with a diverse line-up that expands the definition of the blues.

Rauner Outlines Budget Plans

Bruce Rauner says he has ideas to cut $1 billion from state government, and one of them involves chickens. But the governor calls it a budget "prank."

Techweek Cancels Controversial Event

There's controversy over a sexist Techweek event. We'll hear how sponsors have turned the outrage into a learning opportunity in the male-dominated world of tech.
 

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