Stories by Kristen Thometz

For the first time in Illinois, 17-year-olds will be able to vote in Tuesday's March 18 Primary Election. Nearly 3,500 teens have registered in Chicago. Read an article.

Malachy Towey and Kevin Henry are two of the elder statesman of Irish music in Chicago. Towey, age 93, plays the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum. Henry is 85, and plays the flute. For more than 50 years, they have been part of a vibrant Irish music scene in Chicago.

We get a behind-the-scenes look at the process and history of dyeing the Chicago River green – a city tradition since 1962, and a family tradition since its inception. Meet the men who turn the river bright green each year in this story originally told by John Callaway on March 17, 2004.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists assess how serious Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is about challenging Rahm Emanuel for mayor in 2015. Watch the web extra video.

A organic food festival, Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade and a benefit party; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Watch web extra video clips of the Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidates from the post-forum news conference.

Republican gubernatorial candidates  -- Bruce Rauner, Bill Brady, and Kirk Dillard – gave a brief news conference following the GOP Governor Forum. Read an article.

The Republican candidates for Illinois governor join us for a special one-hour candidate forum, moderated by Phil Ponce. Joining us are Bill Brady, Dan Rutherford, Kirk Dillard and Bruce Rauner. View timelines of the candidates' political careers and a behind-the-scenes slideshow, and read a recap of our live chat.

At the Tuesday, March 18 Primary Election, the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago will use electronic poll books to check in voters instead of paper poll books. Read an article.

A Cook County judge makes a surprise ruling that he says will end the Burge torture saga once and for all in Chicago. Paris Schutz has the latest.

The Lakeview neighborhood has a unique new place for people who are homeless, and suffer mental illness or disabilities, to call home. Brandis Friedman takes a look inside. Read an article and watch a web extra video.

Demand for locally produced, organic foods has never been stronger. We talk with a Chicagoan who is seen as a leader of the so-called Good Food Movement: Jim Slama, the founder and president of FamilyFarmed.org. Read an interview with The Organic Gardener founder, Jeanne Nolan, and take a QUIZ to test your knowledge on USDA organic regulations.

We share what you had to say about our conversation with Illinois Deputy Governor Cristal Thomas and director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, about the number of state residents enrolled and the final month of the Affordable Care Act when we read some of our viewer feedback.

New at the museum -- two solo exhibitions feature a pair of female contemporary Indian artists.

Paris Schutz reports on why some powerful unions are urging Democratic members to cross over and vote Republican in next week’s gubernatorial election. Read an article.

We take a look at a new study that says Alzheimer’s is the third leading cause of death with one of the study’s researchers, Bryan James of Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Read the full study, an article about super-agers, and view a graphic on Alzheimer's disease.

As spring in Chicago gets underway, so do the building projects. We talk with Chicago Tribune’s Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin about the most recent building projects in the news and what will be coming down the pipeline. Read an article.

Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidates Bruce Rauner, Dan Rutherford and Bill Brady provide information regarding their charitable contributions. Read an article.

It’s funny the way Chicago anecdotes bloom in books about Broadway.

Veteran politician Rep. Tom Cross faces DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan in the GOP Primary for Illinois State Treasurer. The winner will face Democrat Mike Frerichs, who is running unopposed. Cross and Grogan join us. Read an article.

The Centers for Disease Control says there may be as many as 48 million cases of foodborne illnesses every year in the United States, costing the economy more than $150 billion and resulting in around 3,000 deaths. We talk with two food safety experts about the impact new technologies are having in keeping our food safe. Read an article.

We share what you had to say about The Civic Federation's proposal to balance the state's budget by taxing retirees when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Republican Illinois Lieutenant Governor candidate Jil Tracy was the last candidate to release her tax return ahead of Tuesday's March 18 Primary. Read an article about the tax returns filed by Republican gubernatorial candidates and their running mates.

Set your clocks forward on Sunday -- but not before you shine a light on some excellent art opportunities.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.