Stories by Kristen Thometz

The infant mortality rate among African Americans in Cook County is twice the county average. Health officials seek to close that gap with the help of a new five-year grant.

The Cook County Clerk on Thursday released more than 250 pages related to the “Empire” star’s abruptly halted prosecution for allegedly filing a false police report. Read the entire file.

The 200th anniversary of “Frankenstein” was celebrated by a slew of Chicago theaters last year. Lookingglass’ new production has arrived a bit late in the game, but with its raw beauty and feverish emotion, it turns out to be well worth the wait.

A suburban tragedy inspired new legislation that could aid students who face questioning by police inside their school.

All seven members of the Chicago Board of Education stepped down this week. Paris Schutz and guests discuss that and more.

A changing of the guard as Lori Lightfoot succeeds Rahm Emanuel as mayor of Chicago. Some big-ticket items remain on the legislative docket in Springfield. And in sports, the White Sox pull off some impressive and rare moves.

Chicago’s beaches – all 26 of them – are now open for the 2019 season. Here are 10 things you may not know about the city’s sandy side.

President Donald Trump rolled out another $16 billion in aid for farmers hurt by his trade policies, and financial markets shook Thursday on the growing realization that the U.S. and China are far from settling a bitter, yearlong trade dispute.

Axon, the company known best for developing the Taser, announced a partnership this week with Chicago police to train officers how to interact with people with autism by using virtual reality headsets.

Ditch the gym and take your fitness routine outside this summer with free classes at Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Gallagher Way. With morning and evening classes, there are plenty of opportunities to get in shape.

Forget about spending your last dime for tickets to The Rolling Stones’ concerts at Soldier Field next month. Instead, check out the fire-breathing female royalty of this sensational musical at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

SAT scores may soon come with an “adversity score” to measure the challenges a student faces in just trying to get to college. We weigh the pros and cons.

The effort to legalize recreational marijuana is still alive in Illinois, but negotiations are ongoing. Where does that leave the state’s blossoming medical marijuana pilot program?

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has faced troubles for years. Acting Director Marc Smith talks about issues facing the state’s child welfare agency.

We trail Mayor Lori Lightfoot as she outlines her safety plan for the holiday weekend and addresses the controversy over her security detail.

Dorothy Olson Pauletti was a working pianist in Chicago for more than 75 years. On Thursday, the 102-year-old was honored for her achievements and performed for guests at her favorite room in which to play.

A Cook County judge vacated a sealing order that had kept the case file removed from the public eye following intense public scrutiny over the prosecution’s handling and dismissal of the high-profile case.

Both penguin chicks came from eggs laid by the same pair of penguins, Chile and Jr. The hatchlings are the second and third Magellanic penguins born and bred at Shedd Aquarium. 

Chicago-based writer and director Joe Swanberg has been shooting “Easy” in Chicago for the past three years. He tells us about the central theme of the show – and the role the city plays.

Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman tells us how early childhood education can impact a person’s life well into middle age.

Watch the May 23, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Stephen M. Calk was arrested Thursday in New York City on a financial institution bribery charge. He is scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court in the afternoon.

John Walker Lindh, 38, was released Thursday from the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. He spent more than 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to providing support to the Taliban.

CEO Oscar Munoz says he will be aboard United Airlines’ first flight of a Boeing 737 Max once regulators agree to let the aircraft fly again.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a stern warning to City Council members in her inaugural address. Our politics team tackles that story and other headlines in our weekly roundtable.

Chicago Teachers Union members call on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to make good on promises for educational equity. Meanwhile, upheaval at a Chicago Public Schools board meeting.