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Cash-Strapped CPS Files Motion, Threatens Shorter School Year
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools students could be in for a shorter school year.
February 27, 2017 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Feb. 27, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
Rauner Unveils New Health Care Plan
Governor Says He’ll Meet Trump ‘Any Time’
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner is back in Illinois after a quick trip to Washington D.C. He did not meet with President Donald Trump, but the two chatted by phone.
Rauner Backs Bill to Test Groundwater Near Quarries
| Evan Garcia
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is supporting a bill that would require testing of groundwater near quarries where construction debris is dumped.
NIH Awards Local Scientists $2.4M to Create Visual Prosthesis
| Kristen Thometz
Researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology and University of Chicago are part of a team developing a visual prosthesis that aims to restore partial vision in people who have become blind.
Judge Tosses Former Governor’s Lawsuit Seeking Elected School Board
| Matt Masterson
A second judge has tossed a case brought by former Gov. Pat Quinn calling for the Chicago Board of Education to be transformed into an elected body.
Hollywood Plot Twist: Epic Mix-Up Makes Oscars History
| Alexandra Silets
Hollywood produced its biggest plot twist ever at the Academy Awards featuring a best picture winner with Chicago ties.
Former CPS Leader Calls Out Cuts to Low-Income, Minority Schools
| Nick Blumberg
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Jesse Ruiz on how the district lost its “moral high ground” because of school budget cuts.
Viewer Feedback: ‘A Change is Needed!’
| Erica Gunderson
We share some of your reactions to our 4th Ward aldermanic forum.
Chicago Ideas Asks Panel, Audience to ‘Reimagine Prison’
| Maya Miller
The nation’s prison system was in the spotlight last week at an event hosted by Chicago Ideas and the New York-based Vera Institute of Justice.
Rauner Crushes Prospect of Further Union Negotiations
| Amanda Vinicky
The heightened potential of a state employee strike did nothing to sway Gov. Bruce Rauner, who on Friday swiftly dismissed the notion of returning to the bargaining table with AFSCME.
CPS Unfreezing $15M in School Funds After Latino Community Outcry
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools announced Friday it will return $15 million in frozen discretionary funds to high-poverty district schools, citing a “disproportionate impact” that freeze had on predominantly African-American and Hispanic schools.
Bill Would Allow Illinois Farmers to Grow Industrial Hemp
| Alex Ruppenthal
At least 16 states have legalized industrial hemp production for commercial purposes. Could Illinois be next?
The Week in Review: Mayor Pushes Back on President’s Policies
| Nick Blumberg
Emanuel won’t honor Trump’s rollback of transgender student rights, and Chicago schools will refuse entry to immigration agents without a warrant. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.
‘90 Days, 90 Voices’ Shares Stories of Immigrants, Refugees in Chicago
| Maya Miller
Inspired by President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, a team of local journalists launched a website this week to tell the stories of immigrants and refugees living in Chicago.
February 23, 2017 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Watch the Feb. 23, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."
How Will Trump’s Transgender Bathroom Guidelines Impact Local Schools?
| Paris Schutz
Illinois public officials and school districts weigh in on which bathroom or locker room a transgender student should use.
Chicago Highlighted as the US Railroad Capital by Trains Magazine
| Evan Garcia
Editors from Trains Magazine tell us why Chicago is America's railroad capital.
Civil Rights Seminar at New Trier High School Sparks Intense Debate
| Paul Caine
Debate over how an elite North Shore high school should present a seminar on civil rights and racism.
Madigan Planning New Education Funding Task Force
| Matt Masterson
The longtime speaker announced Thursday he has appointed a dozen House Democrats to address unanswered questions in the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission’s final report and draw up equitable school funding reform legislation.
Emmett Till’s Family Reacts to Accuser’s Confession, 60 Years Later
| Brandis Friedman
A stunning confession in the most notorious civil rights case of the 20th century.
Chicago River Cleanup Efforts Bolstered by Phosphorus Agreement
| Elizabeth Brackett
The Chicago River is a lot cleaner than it used to be. And after years of litigation, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and environmental groups have agreed to a settlement and will work together to make the river even cleaner.
Hedy Weiss Reviews: ‘Sweeney Todd,’ ‘Uncle Vanya,’ ‘Game Changers,’ More
| Marc Vitali
The Paramount Theatre in Aurora is serving up a gothic new staging of the Stephen Sondheim hit “Sweeney Todd.” We discuss that show and other new productions, with the Chicago Sun-Times dance and theater critic.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 23-26
| Maya Miller
Live blues, a jazz fest and a vintage pop-up show usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
ASPIRA Charter Teachers Vote to Strike
| Matt Masterson
The ASPIRA teachers union issued a near-unanimous vote Wednesday evening in favor of walking off the job in what would be the nation’s first-ever charter school teachers strike.
‘Sleep In’ Spotlights Youth Homelessness in Chicago
| Maya Miller
With nearly 20,000 homeless youth in Chicago, an all-night benefit aims to raise awareness and funds for 13 homeless agencies, shelters and drop-in centers. Learn more.
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