Stories by Alex Ruppenthal

Can a collectible card game teach cybersecurity skills to middle school students? A UIC professor wants to get young people excited about computer science and interested in high-demand, high-paying careers.

If a budget isn’t in place by July 1, the Illinois Department of Transportation says all contractors must stop any roadwork. What this may mean for your morning commute.

Residents of North Lawndale and the Cook County Board are mourning the loss of one of their own. Second District Commissioner Robert Steele died Monday from complications of diabetes.  

Watch the June 19, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The state has been without a budget for 719 days. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton joins Carol Marin to talk about how the state can finally get a budget.

Since 1967, a laboratory just outside Chicago has been pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. We go for a look.

A team of researchers at DePaul University is working to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. Meet “Paula,” the American Sign Language avatar they created that translates English into ASL.

For many parents, questions of hygiene and health weigh heavily on their minds. A new book argues that a fixation on cleanliness won’t lead to healthier children.

The pressure is on for Illinois lawmakers to strike a budget deal before July 1. We speak with two members of the Illinois House as they prepare for this week’s special session.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan will join a bipartisan effort to investigate the role opioid manufacturers may play in contributing to the country’s opioid epidemic. 

Illinois is one of more than a dozen states awaiting a federal peer review from the U.S. Department of Education on its Every Student Succeeds Act plan.

Heroin use has more than doubled in young adults over the past decade. A new study evaluates the cost of that addiction on society at large.

The technology festival Chicago Techweek returns for a sixth year. We speak with the Techweek CEO about this year’s “radical shift” in programming.

Unless you run in nerdy history circles, chances are you’ve never heard of Cora Strayer, private detective. Belly up to the bar for a history lesson—with a spirited twist.

Police kill the Belleville gunman who fired on GOP congressmen. A lawsuit aims to force federal oversight of Chicago Police reform. And Dwyane Wade could make a deal to return to the Bulls. 

For the first time in two years, Lincoln Park Zoo welcomed the birth of piglets. Visitors can see the seven baby pigs, along with their mother, at the Farm-in-the-Zoo exhibit.

Watch the June 15, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Gov. Bruce Rauner is calling for a special 10-day legislative session. It will run from Wednesday to the end of the month. 

Why a proposal to convert a Near South Side elementary school into a neighborhood high school has won support from local residents, but drawn the ire of some parents.

Chicago Public Schools began certifying schools for their social emotional learning supports two years ago. We visit one school that’s achieved the highest certification – exemplary.

The billionaire businessman and venture capitalist is the early front-runner in the Democratic race for governor. He joins us in discussion.

When Hyde Park resident Connie Spreen wrote song lyrics about bicycle safety a few years ago, her children begged her not to produce them. Now, she’s a co-producer alongside Rhymefest for “Stay in Your Lane.”

Chicago-based health care technology firm Outcome Health just raised $500 million, making it the biggest Chicago startup since Groupon. We meet one of the company's founders.

It was arguably the biggest political upset in American history. Political journalist Jonathan Allen joins us with his insight and to discuss the book he co-authored, “Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign.”

The MCA celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new exhibition by a colorful contemporary artist.

A popular web series based in Chicago that highlights the “complex and flawed” lives of “regular people” has secured a development deal with HBO.