Want to know how Cook County Jail keeps track of its inmates? Through hundreds of thousands of pieces of tattered paper. Paris Schutz has more on why Sheriff Tom Dart says it's a disaster waiting to happen. Read letters from Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown to Dart.

The controversial oil and natural gas drilling method known as fracking is set to begin in Illinois. Will it bring jobs or will it wreak havoc on the environment? Read an article.

Senate President John Cullerton hints a deal has been reached to reform the state's pension system. But are Republicans on board? Paris Schutz has the details.

With the government hours away from a possible shutdown, we take a look at the impact on Chicago. Paris Schutz has the details.

Illinois’ most visited State Park is at the center of a fight to expand mining. Will it revive the local economy or mar a scenic landmark? Paris Schutz has the story. Read an article.

Will the Cornell Square Park shooting be the catalyst for Springfield to toughen Illinois gun laws? Paris Schutz has the latest on what Mayor Rahm Emanuel had to say.

Four suspects are in custody for the mass shooting in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Paris Schutz has the latest.

Lawmakers take the governor to court over getting their paychecks back. Paris Schutz has the latest. Read the full lawsuit.

Bill Daley faces the public after announcing that he is dropping out of the race for Illinois governor. Paris Schutz has the details. View a timeline of Daley's political career.

At an appearance at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on Monday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina said President Obama should have pushed ahead with military strikes in Syria to send President Bashar al-Assad and other dictators an important signal. Paris Schutz has the details.

A new law passes requiring buildings to report their energy uses. Some aldermen warn it will cost condo owners big on their assessments. Paris Schutz has the details on that, and more news from today's Chicago City Council meeting. Read the news release.

How is the CTA faring in day one of the rollout of the controversial new Ventra system? Paris Schutz has the details.

Chicago Tonight first learned that Alex Clifford would like his old job back at Metra, and his lawyer says that giving it to him is the only way to undo the controversial severance package that is now estimated to pay him close to $900,000.

Did Illinois business leaders lobby ratings agencies to lower the state's bond rating? Paris Schutz has the latest details on a bizarre twist in the pension debate.

Ald. Joe Moore (49th), known as a progressive and reform-minded politician, and for defying former Mayor Richard M. Daley on a host of issues, is facing multiple ethics probes, Chicago Tonight has exclusively learned. Read an article.

Was the former Metra CEO's big severance agreement hush money to cover a political hiring scandal? Lawmakers attempt to get answers Thursday. Paris Schutz has the story.