Stories by Chloe Riley
Universal Children's Day Gives New Meaning to Syrian Refugee Crisis
Over half of all Syrian refugees are children, according to United Nations data
| Chloe Riley
Friday marks Universal Children’s Day, a global recognition of children’s welfare.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Nov. 20
| WTTW News
Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the top stories of the week, including a Cook County judge's order that the city release a controversial police shooting video, and Gov. Bruce Rauner's announcement to temporarily halt Syrian refugees from resettling in Illinois.
City Will Release Laquan McDonald Police Shooting Video
| Paris Schutz
Chicago officials are bracing for the release of a controversial video purported to show a white police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, an African-American, 16 times and killing him. A Cook County Judge ruled today that the city must release the video despite several ongoing investigations into the shooting.
McDonald Family Attorney, Journalist React to Judge's Ruling on Controversial Police Video
| Hunter Clauss
A Cook County judge ordered the Chicago Police Department to release the controversial dashboard video of an African-American teenager being shot 16 times by a white police officer. We talk with the freelance journalist who sued the city for the video and one of the attorneys representing the McDonald family during settlement talks with the city.
Laquan McDonald Police Video Release Stirs Mixed Reactions
| Paul Caine
We speak with two members of the black community as a Cook County judge orders the release of dashboard video footage of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Orchestra of Recycled Instruments Brings Miraculous Music to Chicago
| Marc Vitali
Triumphing over trash, the Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura emerged from a landfill slum in Paraguay to perform in concert halls around the world.
JeanMarie Brownson Helps You Prepare 'Dinner at Home'
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago Tribune columnist JeanMarie Brownson shares some of her favorite recipes for Thanksgiving from her new book, "Dinner at Home: 140 Recipes to Enjoy with Family and Friends."
Weekend Events: Lights Fest on Michigan Avenue, Steve Martin and Martin Short
| Chloe Riley
A holiday tradition returns to Michigan Avenue while a couple of comedy giants take the stage in Rosemont.
Full Day at Chicago City Council, Cook County
| Paris Schutz
Higher taxes are coming to Cook County, new rules on drones are in the works for the city of Chicago, and Mayor Emanuel has a message for aldermen in the wake of the departure of Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan. Paris Schutz has the full rundown.
Examining the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Response Following Paris Attacks
| Paul Caine
In the wake of the deadly terror attacks in Paris, many Republican governors are saying they are unwilling to allow Syrian refugees to be settled in their states, among them Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Our panel discusses the refugee crisis and response.
Fuller Park: Small Community, Big Problems
| Brandis Friedman
The problem in one of Chicago's most economically depressed communities isn't just crime. We explore what's being done to improve one of the city's small neighborhoods.
Crain's Roundup: Apple's Riverfront Plans, Ford's Labor Agreement Woes
| Alexandra Silets
Apple has a new Frank LLoyd Wright-esque store proposal for the riverfront, Ford's labor agreement vote hits a rough patch and frequent fliers may notice even more frequently changing rules surrounding airline rewards programs. Crain's Chicago Business deputy managing editor Ann Dwyer joins us for more on these stories.
Hedy Weiss Theater Reviews: 'Never the Sinner,' 'Spill,' more
| Marc Vitali
The Chicago Sun-Times theater critic appraises a true Chicago crime story at Victory Gardens and a double dose of Irving Berlin. Get her take on these plays and more when she joins "Chicago Tonight" for a discussion.
Ask Geoffrey: Nov. 18
| Erica Gunderson
The famously irascible Frank Lloyd Wright estranged two artists on a single short-lived project. Learn the fate of Wright's lost Midway Gardens and play tennis at the Kenwood Country Club as local history expert Geoffrey Baer heads to the South Side.
Chicago Children's Museum First in City to Link Admission and Food Stamps
| Chloe Riley
Starting in December, anyone who shows a food stamps card will pay just $3 to access the museum.
Chicago Public Schools to Springfield: 20 for 20
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool is reiterating his call for funding equity from Springfield, saying that if CPS students make up 20 percent of Illinois public school students then the district should receive 20 percent of funding.
How Illinois’ Budget Stalemate is Impacting Public Universities
| Eddie Arruza
Public universities in Illinois have received no state funding since the budget standoff began in July. We hear from four university presidents on the impact the budget crisis is having on their campuses.
Chicago's Original Sears Tower Reborn as Community Center
| Jay Shefsky
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand Tuesday morning to reopen the newly developed Nichols Tower at Homan Square. Jay Shefsky got a sneak peek at the tower on Monday. We bring you his report.
Kimberly Foxx Shares Vision for Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
| Hunter Clauss
Political observers widely expect a heated slugfest in the upcoming March primary race for Cook County state’s attorney. At least two well-funded challengers are seeking to unseat seven-year incumbent Anita Alvarez. Kimberly Foxx, former chief of staff to Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, speaks with us about her campaign and vision for the office.
Dr. Andrew Weil Talks Healthy Lifestyle, Recipes in New Book
| Andrea Guthmann
The holistic health pioneer, a Harvard-trained medical doctor and botanist, is the author of 15 best-selling books. He joins “Chicago Tonight” to talk about his newest book, “Fast Food, Good Food: More than 150 Quick and Easy Ways to Put Healthy, Delicious Food on the Table.”
Illinois Suspends Settlement of Syrian Refugees in Wake of Paris Attacks
| Paris Schutz
Gov. Bruce Rauner announced on Monday that Illinois is temporarily closing its border to the settlement of Syrian refugees in the wake of the attacks in Paris.
Paris Terrorist Attacks Cause Worldwide Security Concerns About ISIS
| Nick Blumberg
A manhunt is underway in Europe for the suspects behind Friday's coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. This weekend, the French military bombed an ISIS stronghold in Syria and French President Francois Hollande earlier today addressed a joint session of the French Parliament. We discuss the attacks and their aftermath with a panel of experts.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Interim Top Cop Collecting $142K Annual City Pension While Earning $211K Salary, Records Show
Pritzker Signed 78 Bills Last Week, Including Requirements for Boater’s Insurance and Home Service Appointment Windows
What Impact Would a Switch to Permanent Daylight Saving Time Have?
Election 2027 Begins: Candidates for Chicago Mayor, City Council Are Gathering Signatures Earlier Than Ever
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter