Stories by Shanika Gunaratna

At half an acre, the rooftop garden atop McCormick Place West is the largest in the entire region. We revisit the backstory behind this little-known space. Read an article.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s apprentice brought the Prairie School of Architecture to Europe. We take a look at the innovations of architect Barry Byrne with Vincent Michael, the author of The Architecture of Barry Byrne. Read a book excerpt and view a slideshow.

Another look at a truly unusual performance by Eric Clapton -- with additional photos.

All eyes are on the U.S. Senate as a potential government shutdown looms. Paris Schutz has more on what Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois members of Congress are planning to do.

Police are questioning people of interest in the shooting rampage that left 13 people injured in a south side park. We have the latest on what's become another Chicago violence story making international headlines.

In recent remarks, Pope Francis says the Roman Catholic Church has become “obsessed” with abortion, gay marriage and contraception.

The Bears pound Pittsburgh in primetime to remain undefeated. James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his weekly post-game analysis. Watch a web extra video.

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority approved the design of the DePaul University basketball arena today. We talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin about the $173 million project, as well as his take on the controversial $51 million Illinois Capitol renovation project in Springfield. View a slideshow.

We share what you had to say about the CTA's new Ventra fare card payment system and on new options available for flu vaccines in tonight’s viewer feedback.

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

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue their conversation about Chicago gun crimes by asking whether Mayor Rahm Emanuel needs to change his personal way of handling the issue. And, are there are other strategies that haven’t been tried to curb the violence? Watch the web extra video.

Run for Science, Apple Fest and contemporary artwork; Chicago Tonight knows what's going on this weekend.

RIC Blackhawks schedule: Blackhawks Travel Squad: October 25 – 27: Denver, CO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #1 November 21 – 24: Pittsburg, PA NHL Sled Classic January 3 – 5: St. Louis, MO Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #2 February 7 – 9: San Antonio, TX  Midwest Sled Hockey League Tournament #3 March 7 – 9: Chicago, IL Midwest Sled Hockey Championship “Wirtz Cup” April 10 – 13: Marlborough, MA USA Disabled Hockey Festival “National Championships”

Northwestern University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art will be closed for the remainder of the calendar year.

Special prosecutor Dan Webb announced that there will be no new indictments in the death investigation of 21-year-old David Koschman. Mayor Richard M. Daley's nephew, Richard Vanecko, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in Koschman's 2004 death. Carol Marin has the details. Watch a web extra video.

We analyze what Wednesday's Federal Reserve announcement to continue the stimulus program will mean for the economic recovery.

The billionaire maker of Beanie Babies admits to not paying taxes on offshore bank accounts. Paris Schutz has more on a government crackdown that could nab more tax cheats in the future.

Catching the flu may be the last thing on your mind as summer unwinds, but flu season is right around the corner. This year, there will be more vaccine options to help prevent against the influenza virus than in years past, including a vaccine that prevents against four strains instead of the traditional three strains of the virus. Read symptoms and tips to avoid the flu.

The international art world comes to Navy Pier for the annual Expo Chicago. We get an early look as the artists, curators and gallery owners prepare for the big weekend. Read an interview with an exhibit curator and view a slideshow.

Geoffrey Baer answers your questions about disappearances, reappearances, and sudden appearances across Chicago – like the giant Buddha heads emerging from the earth in Rogers Park and North Lawndale – in this edition of Ask Geoffrey.

We revisit Jay Shefsky's profile of Chicago's sled hockey team -- that's the hard-hitting, fast-paced sport played by amputees and others with lower limb disabilities. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

We share what you had to say about factory farming and our interview with vegan activist Gene Baur, founder of Farm Sanctuary, in tonight's viewer feedback.

A blues and soul singer to shake up your expectations. Read the Artbeat blog.

Lawmakers take the governor to court over getting their paychecks back. Paris Schutz has the latest. Read the full lawsuit.

We take a look at what Bill Daley was like inside the Obama administration. Read a book excerpt.

Chicago and Cook County home prices are up nearly 12 percent in the second quarter of 2013. We get the latest on the housing recovery from Geoff Smith, the Executive Director of the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and Loretta Alonzo, the 2012 president of the Illinois Association of Realtors.