Christian Picciolini was once a neo-Nazi skinhead leader in Chicago. Today he runs an organization called Life After Hate. Jay Shefsky tells the story of Picciolini's remarkable transformation.  

Scientist Neil Shubin is back to tell us why the U.S. Military is so interested in the bombardier beetle, why taking a hands-on approach is a better way to learn science, and why astronomers may want to avoid using the microwave when heating their lunch.

Feliz Cinco De Mayo! On this fifth of May, watch Mariachi Aztlán perform "El Ritmo de México” ("The Rhythm of Mexico") from Lyric Opera of Chicago's recent production of the mariachi opera, El Pasado Nunca se Termina or The Past is Never Finished.

Legislators have begun meeting in working groups to work on the budget and a compromise to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s turnaround agenda. And budget cuts remain a concern, as the Responsible Budget Coalition discusses all revenue options available. We discuss these issues and more with Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky.

Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard has just called for new tax revenue to help fund the region's mass transit systems which currently have a $30 billion project backlog. Chairman Dillard joins us to discuss the need for new revenue and the impact of proposed cuts to transportation funding by Gov. Bruce Rauner. 

Archbishop Blase Cupich talks about the state of the Catholic Church, finances, schools, and what his role is in lobbying lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner for social services funding. 

A Tinley Park man, who suffers from muscular dystrophy and has had five heart surgeries for his atrial fibrillation, was in Nepal to climb Mount Everest when the deadly earthquake struck. We'll hear about his emotional journey.

Restaurateur Donnie Madia, owner of the One Off Hospitality Group, joins Chicago Tonight after a big night at Monday's James Beard Foundation Awards, which were held for the first time in Chicago.  

New hearings on a possible Chicago casino are underway today. Is the mayor's wish for a casino to fund pensions finally close to coming true? Paris Schutz has the latest.

There's a new board chairwoman at the College of DuPage, and she wasted no time making changes. In a contentious first vote on Thursday, April 30, the new majority of reform trustees voted 4-3 to put the school's controversial president, Robert Breuder, on paid administrative leave. 

Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins us to discuss the Bears draft picks, and give us his take on Chicago hosting the NFL Draft.