Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

Sunny days and cool nights have helped produce a vivid display of fall colors this season. At the Chicago Botanic Garden, thousands of trees are at their peak.

Monster trucks, improv comedy, global artists and Greek eats usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

At an intimate press conference celebrating his return visit to the city, conductor Daniel Barenboim expressed his delight at what will be a two-part homecoming at Symphony Center.

Christian Daigre was found not guilty in this case following a bench trial that ended May 15, 2023. Additional charges against him were later dropped by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Next month, voters will be tasked with electing Cook County Circuit Court judges. To help navigate the options, three local bar associations screened and ranked each candidate. Here are their recommendations.

Online voting is not permitted anywhere in the United States, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. The agency is raising awareness of fraudulent online voting schemes ahead of the Nov. 6 election.

From a childhood marked by privilege and tragedy to a life of business success and philanthropy, we bring you an original, in-depth look at the life of Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker.

Defense attorneys for the Chicago cop convicted of second-decree murder in the fatal shooting of black teen Laquan McDonald are asking a judge to toss out the convictions or grant a new trial.

The bodies of a college professor and her husband have been recovered from a river in central Illinois and their 21-year-old son has been charged with first-degree murder.

Watch the Oct. 30, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

A Cook County judge will decide next week whether she’ll grant a request to dismiss charges against three Chicago police officers accused of working to cover up the shooting death of black teen Laquan McDonald, less than a month before they are set to face trial.

Several hundred Chicago charter school teachers say they’re willing to walk off the job if they can’t reach a contract agreement with their charter operator, Acero.

Lisa Desjardins of the “PBS NewsHour” joins us to discuss how things are looking for candidates in Illinois and other key states, and whether some districts are still expecting a so-called blue wave on Nov. 6.

As it happens, there are two “ladies” in Dael Orlandersmith’s play, “Lady in Denmark,” now in its world premiere at the Goodman Theatre. But only one is fully seen or heard on stage.

A $2.5 million award to address climate change will help Chicago expand bike-share programs to all parts of the city, according to the mayor’s office.

Sex, politics and religion are widely considered taboo topics for polite conversation. Yet that's exactly what Camille Paglia tackles in her latest book, “Provocations: Collected Essays.”

Those who know Gov. Bruce Rauner best describe him as stubborn – and smart. An intimate look at what shaped Rauner, and what that’s meant for Illinois as he tries for a second term.

Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming” comes out Nov. 13 and her tour begins that night at Chicago’s United Center, with Oprah Winfrey serving as moderator.

Caring for patients is a vital part of the medical school experience. Armed with knowledge and backpacks full of supplies, a group of students is taking its skills to the streets of Chicago.

Watch the Oct. 29, 2018 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

In their final meeting before next week’s midterm elections, the Democrat and Republican each pitched themselves as the candidate most capable of putting the priorities of Illinois voters into action.

Audience members engage in a process similar to a television “elimination” contest to choose one of five contenders for an unspecified office. It is great fun, but also offers food for thought – and a healthy dose of cynicism.

City Council members tackle a $2 billion problem they say they can no longer avoid. But how will it be paid for?

Las Vegas residents donated nearly 800 units of blood after last year’s mass shooting, but new research shows that many of those donations weren’t needed – and some even went to waste.

The lawsuit claims nine Chicago cops “withheld exculpatory evidence, manipulated witnesses, and misdirected the investigation” in order to frame an innocent man for the murder of a Cook County Sheriff’s deputy.

Insurance shoppers likely will have several choices for individual health coverage this fall. The bad news? There's no guarantee they will cover certain doctors or prescriptions.