Gumball Machine Pays Tribute to Art-O-Mat With a Poetic Twist
If you spent any time as a child at the Chicago Cultural Center, you might remember the Art-o-mat machine that dispensed a piece of art in exchange for two tokens. That same machine has inspired a new concept for storytelling through poetry.
New Year, New Taxes: What Will Cost More in 2020
Illinois’ income tax will hold steady in 2020 and despite warnings from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Chicago’s new budget avoids a major property tax hike. But before you go on a holiday shopping spree, a word of caution.
‘Labor of Love’ Drives Meticulous Stivers Coffee Operation in Pilsen
For more than 30 years, Stivers Coffee has used a large, gas-driven machine to roast coffee beans from all over the world for Chicago’s restaurants, offices, farmers markets and more. We go for a look.
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Light in the Piazza’ with Renée Fleming
Following a run on London’s West End and at LA Opera, the Tony Award-winning musical “The Light in the Piazza” now comes to Chicago. We visited the cast during a recent rehearsal.
Crain’s Headlines: 4 South Side Hospitals in Consolidation Talks
Plans are afoot to consolidate financially struggling hospitals that serve Chicago’s poorest residents on the South Side.
Bears, Packers Meet for 200th Time as Both Teams Eye the Playoffs
It may be the best rivalry in all of sports. Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams joins us to preview the 200th meeting of the Bears and Packers.
December 12, 2019 - Full Show
Watch the Dec. 12, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
New Book Traces ‘The Rise and Fall of Chicago’s First Black Banker’
Over its long history, Chicago has seen plenty of firsts, but those stories aren’t always well-known today. Entrepreneur Jesse Binga is at the center of one of those stories. Longtime journalist Don Hayner tells us more.
Police Board Holds 2nd Public Meeting on Top Cop Replacement
At the Muslim Community Center on the city’s Northwest Side, roughly four dozen residents weighed in on the qualities they’d like to see in the next police superintendent. Paris Schutz has this report.
NASA’s Mission to ‘Touch the Sun’ Begins to Unravel Mysteries of Solar Wind
An update on the mission and findings of NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, named after pioneering University of Chicago astrophysicist Eugene Parker, who first proposed the existence of the solar wind in 1958.
Crain’s Headlines: FAA Chief Says 737 Max Won’t Be Cleared Before 2020
Federal aviation regulators won’t clear Boeing’s troubled 737 Max airplanes for flight until sometime in 2020. That’s according to an interview that Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson gave to CNBC on Wednesday.
December 11, 2019 - Full Show
Watch the Dec. 11, 2019 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
‘Merry, Merry Chicago!’ Returns to Symphony Center. Here’s a Preview
For the fifth year, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra presents “Merry, Merry Chicago!” a celebration of holiday music that features members of the orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus.
Secretary of State Jesse White Talks Tumblers, Real ID and More
This month marks the 60th anniversary of one of Chicago’s most popular performance groups: the Jesse White Tumblers. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White joins in conversation to discuss that group, the Real ID rollout and more.
Crain’s Headlines: Judge Appoints Examiner in Sears Bankruptcy Fight
The bankrupt estate of Sears Holdings Corporation and the hedge fund division that bought the retailer’s troubled remains out of bankruptcy have been engaged in an ugly fight over the value of certain assets.