Stories by paul caine

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 about the impact of the coronavirus on the state and its finances.

Trump Calls For More Stimulus Money, Pritzker Warns of ‘Thousands’ of State Layoffs

“State and municipal budgets across the nation and here in Illinois are being decimated,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday. “It’s not a blue state problem or a red state problem.”

(WTTW News)

Social Media Misinformation a Major Challenge for Election Authorities, Voters

In an age when false information can be disseminated to millions with a single tweet or Facebook post, combatting that misinformation is all the more important. What election officials are doing to dispel misleading myths.

Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (WTTW News)

US EPA Rolls Back Obama-Era Regulations that Protect Lake Michigan Water

Will new EPA regulations allow a Wisconsin power plant to dump more toxic metals into Lake Michigan? Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne explains.

Jackson Park in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Opponents of Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park Considering Appeal to US Supreme Court

We speak with Protect Our Parks founder and president Herb Caplan about the latest in the legal battle over the $500 million project planned for Chicago’s South Side.

Two new research centers headquartered at Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory will boost transformational breakthroughs in quantum information science. Here, Argonne scientist Dafei Jin observes a dilution refrigerator—a cryogenic cooling device for materials used for quantum computing. (Photo by Mark Lopez / Argonne National Laboratory)

Argonne, Fermilab at Forefront of ‘Transformational’ Quantum Research

Quantum technology is expected to transform our world, and Chicago appears to be at the center of this quantum acceleration, thanks to funding from the Department of Energy to establish two quantum research centers locally.

Clockwise, from left: State Reps. Dan Brady, John Cabello and Terri Bryant appear on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. (WTTW News)

Local GOP Lawmakers Praise First Lady’s ‘Home Run’ RNC Speech

The president’s wife and children present the case for their dad’s reelection. Republican state lawmakers share their thoughts about the Republican National Convention so far.

Local Republicans Expect Economic Optimism, ‘Law and Order’ Message from RNC

The leader of the Chicago Republican Party said Monday that he is expecting to hear a strong “law and order” message from this week’s National Republican Convention combined with a hopeful economic vision for the future.

(Free-Photos / Pixabay)

Former President Obama’s Speechwriter Talks Crafting DNC Speech

Former President Barack Obama launched a blistering attack on his successor at Wednesday night’s Democratic National Convention. Obama’s speechwriter talks about that speech and the challenge of writing for a virtual convention.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin speaks with “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom on Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (WTTW News)

Durbin Backs Pelosi’s Move to Recall Congress Amid Postal Service Standoff

A political convention unlike any other is underway as Democratic leaders step up their fight against President Donald Trump and his attacks on mail-in voting. We discuss that and more with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis appears Monday, Aug. 10, 2020 on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom. (WTTW News)

GOP Congressman Says Chicago May Need National Guard If Looting Continues

Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis says Chicago may have to call the National Guard back to the city if it is unable to prevent further looting. Davis and U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, join us in conversation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks back to his office on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Democrats, Republicans ‘Miles Apart’ on Unemployment Insurance Deal, Says Bustos

As cities and states across the nation struggle to get control of COVID-19, members of Congress butt heads over another stimulus package. Illinois U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos weighs in on those topics and more. 

Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy appears on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. (WTTW News)

Secret Service Agent Shot in Reagan Assassination Attempt Retires as Orland Park Police Chief

The Secret Service agent who took a bullet to protect President Ronald Reagan has spent the last 26 years as chief of police in Orland Park. We speak with Tim McCarthy ahead of his Aug. 1 retirement.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, appears on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom on Monday, July 27, 2020. (WTTW News)

Dr. Ezike: Residents’ Actions Will Determine if Reopening Rollback Needed

With Illinois reporting more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 for the sixth consecutive day, the state’s top public health official says the question of a reopening rollback will be answered by residents.

(Credit: NASA / European Space Agency)

New Solar Orbiter Snaps Closest Pictures Ever Taken of the Sun

We journey to the sun’s surface and explore more from the world of science with University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin.

(WTTW News)

More Than Half of Chicagoans Expected to Vote by Mail in November

A record 121,000 Chicagoans have sent in applications to vote by mail in the November election. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump claims without evidence the 2020 election will be “the most rigged.”

(Brandis Friedman / WTTW News)

Trump Pressures Schools to Reopen But Many CPS Teachers Fearful of Classroom Return

President Donald Trump is pressuring schools to fully reopen in the fall. But as many teachers, parents and even some students are expressing fears over returning to school, cases of COVID-19 are rising across the country.

“I have done a phenomenal job with it,” President Donald Trump says of his response to COVID-19 at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, June 20, 2020. (WTTW News via CNN)

Northwestern Infectious Disease Expert Rips National Response to Pandemic

He is optimistic about the development of vaccines and treatments to slow the spread of COVID-19 but describes the national response to the virus as a “disgrace.” We speak with Dr. Robert Murphy of Northwestern University.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Monday, June 22, 2020. (WTTW News)

Lt. Gov. Stratton Urges Caution as Illinois Prepares to Enter Phase 4

Illinois is on track to move into phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan on Friday, but the state faces a huge challenge in reviving its pandemic-stricken economy and putting people back to work.

The Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. (Image courtesy Argonne National Laboratory)

Argonne Uses Supercomputer to Model Coronavirus Spread in Chicago

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have created the most detailed simulation that exists to model the spread of COVID-19 in Chicago — and what it shows is sobering.

(WTTW News)

Study: Black Families Have 1 Cent for Every Dollar White Families Have

A new study from Northwestern University highlights the growing wealth gap between black and white families. 

(Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash)

Illinois Hair Salons Prepare to Open Friday, But Not in Chicago

On Friday, all salons and barbershops in the state — except those in Chicago — will be allowed to reopen as part of phase three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan. What will the new salon experience be like?

The Rev. Marshall Hatch joins “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom for a conversation on Monday, April 13, 2020. (WTTW News)

Health Inequality Plus Coronavirus Creates Perfect Storm in Chicago’s Black Community

Black Chicagoans are almost six times more likely to die from the new coronavirus than white residents, according to state and city health officials. We talk about the city’s ongoing health disparities with the Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Church.

General Iron’s metal-shredding operation in Lincoln Park. (WTTW News)

General Iron Now Links Pollution Control Equipment to Explosions

General Iron Industries believes that two explosions at its scrap metal-shredding facility that shook Lincoln Park on Monday were connected to a new piece of pollution control equipment installed last year.

(Adler Planetarium / Facebook)

Adler Planetarium Lays Off 120 Employees

A day after celebrating its 90th birthday, the Adler Planetarium laid off 120 part-time and full-time employees. The “difficult decision” was made “in order to help the Adler survive,” spokesperson Jennifer Howell said in a statement to WTTW News. 

(Meagan Davis / Wikimedia Commons)

State Lawmakers at Odds Over Gov. Pritzker’s Recovery Plan

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recently unveiled five-phase plan to gradually reopen the state is already getting pushback. Joining us to share their views are state Reps. Deanne Mazzochi, a Republican, and Mike Zalewski, a Democrat.

(WTTW News)

Pandemic Creates Hard Choices for Low-Income Essential Workers

The pandemic has laid bare how existing inequalities can magnify the impact of the virus on low-income workers, who are disproportionately women and people of color. And now, many of those workers are being designated as essential.