SORT

FILTER


 

Chicago School Board Approves 7 New Charters

The Chicago School Board voted Wednesday to approve seven new charter schools in the city. Many parents, as well as the Chicago Teachers Union, have said they will protest any expansion following the closing last year of 50 neighborhood schools. We have the latest on the vote and reaction to it. View a graphic and a map on the new proposed charter schools.

John Cullerton

Senate President John Cullerton joins us to talk pensions, the upcoming session and midterm elections.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Report: Pension Reform Will Not Fix IL Budget

After state lawmakers finally passed pension reform in December, Illinoisans could be forgiven for assuming the state is now on track to balance its budget. But a report out this week says the reforms don't do nearly enough to fix the state's budget gap. Two of the authors of the report join us to discuss their findings and the implications for the state.

Tio Hardiman on Run for Governor

Tio Hardiman joins us, along with his running mate, to talk about his run for Illinois governor. View a timeline of his career.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Ask Geoffrey: 1/22

A street near Soldier Field honors a fallen World War II hero. Geoffrey Baer has that soldier's story, and he answers your questions in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.

Priest Sex Abuse Docs Go Public

Thousands of pages of secret church documents are released as part of a court settlement showing how the Archdiocese of Chicago moved predator priests from parish to parish for years, exposing children to abuse. We meet the attorneys for the victims who fought to get the documents opened to the public. Read the detailed documents.

Metra Talks Perfect Storm and Delays

We talk with Metra’s interim CEO Don Orseno, Metra board member Jack Schaffer, and Chicago Tribune transportation reporter Richard Wronski about the commuter issues encountered last week during the polar vortex, and what the agency plans to change for future storms. Read an interview.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Opening Statements in NATO 3 Trial

Were they violent terrorist conspirators or three angry young men entrapped by undercover cops? Paris Schutz has the details from opening day of the NATO 3 trial.

Block Museum Reopens with Blockbuster Artists

We find out what’s happening at the newly reopened Block Museum on the campus of Northwestern University, including a show of photographs by master photographer Edward Steichen and Polaroids by Andy Warhol. Watch a web extra video.

Lee Bey

Lee Bey is one of Chicago's keenest observers of architecture and urban planning. This month, he is shutting down his WBEZ blog, "Beyond the Boat Tour" after four years. He is leaving to join the team at the University of Chicago's Arts Incubator in Washington Park. Bey joins us to discuss his new gig, the one he's leaving, and life in Chicago. Read an interview.

Mikva Students Comment on GOP Candidate Forum

Students from the Mikva Challenge who questioned the Republican candidates for Illinois governor during our Monday forum share their thoughts in a written survey. Read their responses.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Field Questions from High Schoolers

We are holding a special one-hour candidate forum, hosted by Phil Ponce, to give viewers an opportunity to meet the Republican candidates for Illinois governorChicago Tonight is partnering with the Mikva Challenge, a program that encourages Chicago youth to be active in the political process. During the forum, high school students from the Mikva Challenge will question the candidates about jobs, gun violence, education and more. View a slideshow and watch web extra videos.

Chicago’s Regulation of E-Cigarettes

We speak with medical and policy specialists regarding the City Council ordinance passed Wednesday to regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products. Read an interview.

Infrastructure Trust Project

Chicago City Council approves the first infrastructure trust project but it's much smaller than initially sold. Paris Schutz has the story.

17-Year-Old Primary Voting

17-year-olds can now vote in the primary election on March 18. We sit down with the two men that helped make that possible, Stevenson High School teachers Andrew Conneen and Dan Larsen, and Stevenson high school student Neli Farahmandpour, who testified in Springfield to the Senate Executive Committee. Read an article.