Stories by WTTW News
Local Philanthropist John Nichols, 85, Reported Missing
| WTTW News
Update: Confirmed overnight, Nichols was found safe early Friday morning.
Forum: Cook County State's Attorney Candidates
| Hunter Clauss
The Democratic candidates running for Cook County State's Attorney joined us in their final appearance together before Tuesday's primary. The high-profile race comes as faith in the criminal justice system has been shaken not only in Chicago, but also in cities across the nation.
Local Bar Associations Rank Cook County Circuit Court Judge Candidates
| WTTW News
In addition to casting a ballot for candidates in heated races next Tuesday, voters will be tasked with electing Cook County Circuit Court judges. To help voters navigate the dozens of candidates running, Chicago and state bar associations screen and rank each candidate. See their recommendations for the March primary.
CPS Sues Former CEO, Asks Principals to Save Cash
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools has filed a lawsuit against former Chief Executive Officer Barbara Byrd-Bennett. The complaint, filed Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, seeks $65 million in money damages and civil penalties.
Weekend Events: St. Patrick's Day Parade, Leon Bridges, Orchid Sale
| Meredith Francis
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day a little early with three parades and the annual river dyeing. Live music, some impressive Lego-building skills and an acclaimed dance company round things out.
Chicago History Museum Hikes Admission by $2
| Chloe Riley
The Chicago Park District board unanimously approved an admission hike for the Lincoln Park museum on Wednesday, citing the museum’s lack of admission increases over the past 10 years.
Forum: Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Candidates
| Nick Blumberg
Dorothy Brown faces the Democrats vying to replace her in next week's Democratic primary.
Rogue Representative Dunkin Fights for Political Life
| Paris Schutz
It's a simple state legislative primary, but observers view it as ground zero in the standoff between Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan. Paris Schutz has more on a race that has the money and mud flying.
Lucas Museum Judge to City: ‘What’s the Secret?’
| Chloe Riley
At a court hearing on Wednesday morning, an increasingly impatient federal judge again asked why attorneys for the city of Chicago have yet to turn over documents which may shed light on the process by which the city leased out lakefront property where the Lucas Museum would sit.
Illinois’ US Senate Candidates
| Alexandra Silets
We meet two of the Democratic candidates vying to be the nominee for U.S. Senator.
Elected CPS Board Gains Traction
| Paris Schutz
The Chicago Public Schools system is one step closer to having an elected school board instead of one in which members are appointed by the mayor.
Missed Out on the Van Gogh-Inspired Airbnb Room? Here's Your Second Chance
| Chloe Riley
No need to chop off your ear – the Art Institute is adding extra dates to its Vincent Van Gogh-themed Airbnb listing, a rented room constructed in the style of Van Gogh's 1889 painting "The Bedroom."
Dr. Quentin Young, Physician and Activist, Dies at 92
| Meredith Francis
The longtime advocate for health care reform, whose patients included President Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died Monday at age 92.
Spring is Almost Here: Stop and Smell the Flowers at These Events
| Evan Garcia
It’s official: The first day of spring, March 20, is less than two weeks away. Chicago is gearing up for warmer weather and blossoming flowers with gardening and horticulture events in the area.
Chicago History Museum Proposes $2 Admission Increase
| Chloe Riley
In its proposal to the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners, the museum says an admission increase would "offset the Museum’s increased utilities, maintenance and personnel costs." The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners will vote Wednesday on the proposed increase.
Condemn or Forgive at Hellenic Museum's 'Trial of Antigone'
| Chloe Riley
Who says ancient Greek mythology can't be as compelling as a Netflix true crime series? Play the part of the jury in the "Trial of Antigone," part of a series from the National Hellenic Museum in Greektown, where the audience decides the fate of famous Greek historical and mythological characters.
Illinois’ 1st Congressional District Candidates
| Hunter Clauss
Incumbent Bobby Rush and Alderman Howard Brookins Jr. discuss their race for the Democratic nomination in the 1st Congressional District.
Consumer Debt No. 1 Consumer Complaint, Says Illinois Attorney General
| Kristen Thometz
For the eighth year in a row, consumer debt topped Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s annual top 10 consumer complaints list. And for the first year, education-related complaints make the top 10 list.
Lovie Smith Named University of Illinois Football Coach
| Paris Schutz
A familiar face comes back to Illinois to coach the Fighting Illini. We have reaction from former Bears Coach Lovie Smith on his new gig.
Viewer Feedback: 'Taxpayers Are Refusing to Pick Up This Tab'
| Erica Gunderson
Hear what viewers had to say about the ongoing contract stalemate between the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Why a Historic Daniel Burnham Building Sits Empty on Chicago’s South Side
| Chloe Riley
Designed by famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the 61,000-square-foot structure was first a 19th century stable, later housing theatrical costumes and sets in the 1930s. But now it looms, cold and vacant, across the street from its sister, the DuSable Museum of African American History – another Burnham original which has tried unsuccessfully for more than 10 years to bring the empty stable back to life.
Lack of Sleep Increases Snacking, Junk Food Cravings, New Study Shows
| Kristen Thometz
“People need to think of adequate sleep as an important aspect of maintaining good health," said Erin Hanlon, Ph.D., lead author of a new University of Chicago study linking insufficient sleep with increased consumption of snacks and high-energy, high-fat foods.
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