Stories by Matt Masterson

Nearly one out of every three criminal exonerations in the U.S. last year occurred in Illinois, according to a new report. Most of those cases stemmed from disgraced former police Sgt. Ronald Watts and his crew.

State health officials say Illinois has had 154 confirmed cases of candida auris, a rapidly spreading fungus that can cause severe illness and even death, between May 24, 2016 and April 4, 2019.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra may cancel more concerts after striking musicians rejected what it calls its last, best and final offer on a new contract.

Watch the April 8, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer is counting on Illinois to legalize recreational marijuana as part of his proposed spending plan. The latest in the ongoing debate over legalization.

With Gov. J.B. Pritzker seeking a state graduated income tax and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot rethinking tax subsidies for controversial city projects, two economists offer their take on the local and national economy.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot cut a deal on Lincoln Yards, confusing aldermen who were set to make a key vote Monday.

A story from the Wrigley Field bleachers, where one fan’s love for a beer vendor turned her into a baseball artist. 

From the murder of Fred Hampton to the Jon Burge torture ring, a new book by attorney Flint Taylor recounts the fight for justice in the face of racism and police misconduct in Chicago.

Longtime Chicago sportswriter Fred Mitchell tells us about his new book as we look back at the Loyola Ramblers’ magical season – just one year ago – when they went all the way to the Final Four.

Fearsome choreography, dazzling dancers and innovative sound and music marked the Chicago debut of Gauthier Dance in a stunning program at the Harris Theater.

Posing as an escort online, a suburban man convinced underage boys to send him pornographic images of themselves, then used those images to blackmail some of his victims into having sex with him. 

A Connecticut-based opioid pharmaceutical manufacturer used deceptive marketing practices to increase prescriptions for its painkillers, according to a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

The company said starting in mid-April it will cut production of the plane to 42 from 52 planes per month so it can focus its attention on fixing the flight-control software that has been implicated in two deadly crashes.

The grandmother of a boy who went missing in 2011 from Illinois said she believes her grandson is still alive and hopes publicity surrounding a hoax will generate new leads.

Beginning on July 1, Illinois will join California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Oregon, Hawaii, Maine and Washington, D.C. in banning tobacco sales to those under 21.

The James R. Thompson Center has been controversial since it landed in the Loop in 1985. Now, a new layer of controversy has been added to the building’s history: its potential sale.

Food allergies are on the rise, affecting 32 million Americans. Yet local clinicians are optimistic about future treatments, including one that could soon receive FDA approval.

The findings from the Ethiopian government provide the clearest link yet to a similar crash involving the same Boeing model plane in the waters off Indonesia in October. All 346 on board the two flights died.

High-end designers have always been eager to dress the superstar soprano for both stage roles and concert performances. Renée Fleming tells us about those one-of-a kind creations.

“I worry about our children growing up with so much trauma and fear. I worry about that a lot,” Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said during a one-on-one interview Friday with WTTW News.

A 23-year-old ex-convict accused of pulling a cruel hoax by pretending to be long-missing Illinois boy Timmothy Pitzen was charged Friday with making false statements to authorities.

Lori Lightfoot secures a historic election. City Council moves to the left. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx faces more heat. And the Cubs’ bullpen implodes.

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the loose ends in the final weeks of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s term, including the Lincoln Yards TIF and the new police and fire academy.

Two Chicago police officers are in stable condition after their squad vehicle was struck overnight by an alleged drunk driver who ran a red light in the Lakeview neighborhood.

This spring season, Chicago theaters are in full bloom. Theater critic Hedy Weiss recommends new shows on Chicago-area stages, from fun musicals to serious dramas.