Stories by Matt Masterson

Illinois finished 15th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in Education Week's Quality Counts report, earning a score of 77 out of 100.

A new book looks at the visual art associated with the blues over the course of its dynamic history. 

Sketch comedy, Syrian music and a how-to on fact-checking usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Thousands of women are expected to march through the city on Jan. 21 – regardless of the weather. “It could be 4 degrees out and we’ll be marching,” said organizer Liz Radford.

Watch the Jan. 3, 2017 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

On Tuesday, the 115th Congress was sworn in, including new members from the Illinois delegation. Up next, according to congressional leaders, is the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. How will that work, and will the Democratic Party aim to block it?

“The violence in this city is more about what the bad guys are doing and not so much about what the police are or are not doing,” Chicago Police Superintendent said during an interview with Eddie Arruza. Hear the full conversation.

Just what does a two-state solution entail, and why has it been so difficult to achieve? We speak with a local expert on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

From Prince to Princess Leia star Carrie Fisher, 2016 was a bad year for celebrity deaths. We take a closer look at our connection to celebrities.

We meet George C. Clark, a one-time commercial artist in his studio – and at the Cultural Center – for a peek at portraiture, real and imaginary.

A new WBEZ report focuses on Chicago children hurt and killed by violence in 2016.

A $215 million hole in Chicago Public Schools' budget and a sentencing date for its former CEO headline local education issues to follow in the coming year.

As the holiday season winds down, it’s about time to take care of that Christmas tree that has begun to decay in your living room.

Beginning Monday, city residents under the age of 18 will no longer be required to pay the $14 admission fee at the museum in Grant Park thanks to a gift from a pair of Kansas donors.

Watch the Dec. 29, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

The city is asking for proposals to develop the former Michael Reese Hospital site, which has sat vacant for nearly a decade. But what’s the best fit for the 50-acre plot?

Religious relics are important in many religions, and Chicago Sun-Times reporter Robert Herguth recently wrote about some Christian relics on our doorstep. He joins us to talk about what he found.

Ruby Bridges became a civil rights icon at the age of 6, when she became the first African-American child to attend a previously all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She joins us in discussion.

Before her death Wednesday, actress Debbie Reynolds reportedly said she missed her daughter, Carrie Fisher, who died Tuesday. Can stress or grief cause death? Local doctors explain what broken heart syndrome is.

Young keyboard sensation Joshua Mhoon joins us in performance and conversation about his studies in Chicago and abroad.

Ring in the New Year with live music, comedy, DJ beats, burlesque and bubbly this weekend. Here are 10 parties in and around Chicago.

Higher city property taxes and a slew of new state laws go into effect at the start of the New Year. We give you the rundown.

Watch the Dec. 28, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

As 2016 comes to a close, what are the smart steps we should be taking with our money? We get tips from a certified financial planner.

It’s no secret that Illinois is in a perilous fiscal situation. But just how bad is it? A new study aims to answer that question definitively.

Despite apparent public support, the question of whether term limits should be imposed on legislators hasn’t made it onto the ballot in Illinois. We discuss the pros and cons.