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Owners of Logan Square Restaurant Add Surcharge to Menu
| Nicole Cardos
There’s a new restaurant trend emerging across the U.S.: a surcharge that’s added to customers’ checks. The owners of one local restaurant say it’s the best way to help their workers. Here’s a taste of how it works.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 7-10
| Kristen Thometz
Brawny babes, discount theater tickets, hot rods and cool jazz usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.
State Board of Education Rolling Out New Proficiency Exam Next Month
| Matt Masterson
Illinois is moving away from the PARCC assessment, but students might not notice much of a difference when the Illinois Board of Education rolls out its new federally mandated exam this spring.
State Rep’s Bill Aims to Expand Illinois’ Renewable Energy Portfolio
| Alex Ruppenthal
State Rep. Will Davis plans to file legislation this week that he says would expand the state’s share of renewable energy to 40 percent of total energy sources by 2030.
Illinois Democrats Poised to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 by 2025
| Amanda Vinicky
For the first time since taking full control of Illinois government, Democrats in Springfield are poised to flex their political muscles by quickly passing a statewide hike in the minimum wage.
Mayoral Candidates Take a Nuanced Stance on Chicago’s Complex Issues
| Amanda Vinicky
Five of the 14 candidates running for Chicago mayor participated in a forum Tuesday as the Feb. 26 election draws near. But getting simple answers to complex issues was no small task.
Conversion of Logan Square Church into Apartments Sparks Gentrification Debate
| Erica Gunderson
As religious congregations shrink, churches all over the city are being shuttered and converted into luxury residences. But not everyone is happy with the results.
Russia Vows New Missile Systems as US Withdraws from Nuclear Treaty
| Alexandra Silets
Russia’s announcement that it plans to build two new land-based missile launch systems follows the U.S. decision to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear treaty.
President Trump to Deliver 2nd State of the Union Address
| Tonia Hill
President Donald Trump delivers his second State of the Union address Tuesday night following a historic 35-day government shutdown.
Chicago Mayoral Candidates Square Off at Community Forums
| Amanda Vinicky
With the election three weeks away, it’s crunch time for Chicago mayoral candidates to get their messages across.
Early 2019 Theater Recommendations from Hedy Weiss
| Marc Vitali
Hedy Weiss reviews a production that imagines what happens when two couples of different ages – plagued by similar problems of communication and neurological degeneration – attempt to interact. Plus, a play-turned-production that shines a light on visionary chemist Dr. Rosalind Franklin.
Black Creativity Program Returns to Museum of Science and Industry
| Marc Vitali
For the 49th consecutive year, the Museum of Science of Industry hosts its Black Creativity program, a celebration of achievements by African-American artists and innovators.
Hats and ‘Bracelets’ Gone Berserk: The Wildly Creative Wares of John Koch
| Jay Shefsky
He’s been making hats and gloves for 45 years, but they’re not designed to keep us warm. Meet the man behind some eye-catching creations.
Ald. Ed Burke Accused of Electioneering
| Paris Schutz
Embattled 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke, clad in a top hat and overcoat, is seen in a video shared with Chicago Tonight handing out shoulder bags at a polling place during November’s general election.
Smollett Told Police Attackers Knew He Was on ‘Empire’
| Associated Press
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett told Chicago police that his attackers seemed to know who he was before they beat him and tied a rope around his neck.
Teachers at 4 Chicago Charter Schools Go On Strike
| Matt Masterson
Educators say Chicago International Charter School leadership refuses to use a $36 million surplus on staff raises or classroom improvements. Around 2,200 students are being impacted by the strike.
Cubs Family Patriarch Apologizes for Racist Emails
| Associated Press
The patriarch of the family behind the Chicago Cubs has apologized after an online media outlet published emails in which he took part in racist comments and conspiracy theories.
Illinois Watchdog Group Releases ‘Guide to Fighting Robocalls’
| WTTW News
Some robocalls are helpful, but most – representing politicians or telemarketers – have become an annoying fact of life. We speak with the author of a new guide aimed at preventing those automated calls.
Advocates for a Chicago Police Consent Decree on the Need for Reform
| Evan Garcia
With an historic agreement in place, what does the road ahead look like for police reform in Chicago? We speak with community activist William Calloway and Northwestern University law professor Sheila Bedi.
Enyia Casts Personal Financial Issues as Selling Point in Campaign for Mayor
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago has an operating budget shortfall of nearly $100 million – a hole that mayoral candidate Amara Enyia says she has the skills to tackle. But documents show Enyia is struggling to manage her own finances.
Browser Extension Rates News Sites Based on Journalistic Standards
| Nicole Cardos
How can readers know whether a news site is trustworthy? There’s a web browser plug-in created by the company NewsGuard to help determine just that.
Growing List of Aldermen Speak Out Against Lincoln Yards Development
| Paris Schutz
Opponents of the $6 billion proposal are calling for more affordable housing units. “Affordable housing is a crisis throughout the entire city,” said Ald. James Cappleman, who is spearheading the opposition.
Van Dyke Prosecutor Joseph McMahon, Attorney General Discussing Sentence Challenge
| Matt Masterson
The lead prosecutor in the Jason Van Dyke murder trial says he’s spoken with the state’s top legal officer about the possibility of challenging the prison sentence handed down to the former Chicago police officer.
Chicago Couple Opens Lakeside Resort in Wisconsin’s Northwoods
| Erica Gunderson
Chicagoans Darren and Genevieve Coady are getting ready for their first summer as owners of a lakeside resort in Wisconsin’s Northwoods.
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