Stories by andrea guthmann

A banner on the Chicago home of Rod Blagojevich thanks President Donald Trump for commuting the former governor’s 14-year prison sentence. (WTTW News)

Blagojevich: Corrupt Politician or ‘Freed Political Prisoner’?

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich celebrated his homecoming Wednesday with a media spectacle at his North Side home. But public sentiment about his early release from prison is divided.

Kate Sullivan appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (WTTW News)

Former WBBM News Anchor Serves Up Memorable Meals, Conversation on PBS

Following journalism jobs in Indiana, Arkansas, New York and Chicago, Kate Sullivan was hungry to blaze her own trail. Now, she’s the host and executive producer of “To Dine For,” a show combining Sullivan’s two passions: food and conversation.

Lincoln Park High School (WTTW News)

How Chicago Schools Handle Sexual Misconduct Allegations

The father of a Lincoln Park High School student is suing the Chicago Board of Education for allegedly not protecting his daughter from sexual assault. It’s the latest twist in a story for which few details have been released.

Construction along the Jane Byrne Interchange (WTTW News)

Project Delays Cause More Backups, Frustration on Jane Byrne Interchange

Consistently listed one of the worst bottlenecks in the country, a massive project to improve the Jane Byrne Interchange is behind schedule and costing more than originally expected. We discuss the latest on the project.

(Credit: The Obama Foundation)

Advocates Push for Protections Amid Fears of Obama Center Displacement

The proposed 20-acre Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park is raising new concerns about property values and lower-income residents getting pushed out of the area.

Precinct captain Carl Voss, of Des Moines, Iowa, holds his iPhone that shows the Iowa Democratic Party’s caucus reporting app Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo / Charlie Neibergall)

Iowa Caucus Mess Raises New Concerns About Election Security

The long-awaited Iowa caucuses ended in chaos. Citing “inconsistencies” with a new mobile app, Democrats delayed releasing results until Tuesday afternoon. Just how secure are the elections going into the 2020 presidential race?

(WTTW News)

Chicago’s Pullman: A Model for Neighborhood Revitalization?

In 2015, Pullman was designated Illinois’ first national monument. The Far South Side neighborhood scored another victory with the Amateur Athletic Union. And a 40-acre Amazon warehouse may be on the horizon.

Jay Sekulow, personal attorney to President Donald Trump, speaks during the impeachment trial against Trump in the Senate on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. (WTTW News via CNN)

Trump’s Legal Team Concludes Oral Arguments in Impeachment Trial

The president’s legal team has wrapped up its impeachment defense. What’s next? And what to make of the trial so far? We ask law professor and former Supreme Court clerk Carolyn Shapiro and journalist Chris Bury.

House Democratic impeachment managers, from left, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., arrive for the start of the third day of the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Impeachment Analysis: House Managers Make Case for Abuse of Power

It’s day two of opening arguments in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, and House managers are laying out their case for abuse of power. A former Supreme Court clerk offers his take on the proceedings so far.

University of Illinois President Tim Killeen appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 22, 2020. (WTTW News)

U. of I. President Tim Killeen Talks Tuition Hikes, Enrollment

His contract was just renewed – and came with a 40% pay hike. University of Illinois President Tim Killeen lays out his priorities for the system and talks about the challenges it faces.

(NCinDC / Flickr)

The Impact of Citizens United, 10 Years Later

On the 10th anniversary of one of the United States’ most divisive Supreme Court rulings, two legal analysts share their differing views on the impact Citizens United has had on campaign funding and the nation’s political process.

Community organizer Jahmal Cole appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (WTTW News)

‘It’s Not Regular’ Highlights Injustices on Chicago’s South, West Sides

A new book and sign campaign points out daily inequities in some of Chicago’s underserved neighborhoods. We speak with Jahmal Cole, CEO and founder of the nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City.

(Photo by Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash)

Flu Facts: Debunking Common Flu Myths

It’s winter, which means it’s flu season. We get a check-up on common misconceptions about the flu and flu shots with Dr. Marielle Fricchione, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health's immunization program.

Outgoing Illinois Senate President John Cullerton appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 13, 2020. (WTTW News)

An Exit Interview with Senate President John Cullerton

After 41 years in public service, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton is stepping down. He reflects on recent headlines, his life in politics and what’s next.

Chicago City Hall (Ken Lund / Flickr)

Grading Local Government: City Bureau Releases ‘Open Gov Report Card’

How transparent is local government? See which agencies made the grade in a new report from nonprofit journalism lab City Bureau. Reporter Sarah Conway tells us more.

The city of Anna. (Whitney Curtis, special to ProPublica Illinois)

Shedding Light on Sundown Towns: ProPublica Illinois Investigates

The term “sundown town” is familiar to many African Americans. A new ProPublica Illinois story examines the legacy of one sundown town in Southern Illinois named Anna.

Mario Casciaro appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019.

He Was Convicted, Then Exonerated. Now, He’s An Attorney

A wrongfully convicted man shares his journey to becoming an attorney and his thoughts on the judicial system. Meet Mario Casciaro, who will be sworn in as an attorney this week.   

(skeeze / Pixabay)

Is Time Running Out for the Seasonal Clock Change?

The Illinois Senate is scheduled to take up a bill next week to make daylight saving time permanent. And it’s not just politicians who want to beat the clock. A local sleep expert sounds the alarm on why we should end the seasonal time shift.

(StartupStockPhotos / Pixabay)

‘No Crying in Newsrooms’: Former Sun-Times Editor Shares Stories of Women in Journalism

Julia Wallace, the former managing editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, talks about women in journalism in her new book, “There’s No Crying in Newsrooms: What Women Have Learned About What It Takes to Lead.”

Fritz Kaegi appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 22, 2019.

Cook County Assessor’s Office Criticized Over Pace of Reforms

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has promised to fix a broken property tax system and end political patronage hiring. But a recent report found that the assessor’s office is not complying with a series of federal court orders. Kaegi joins us to discuss that and more.

President Bill Clinton gives his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1997. (Renee Humble / Wikimedia Commons)

Powerful Writing: Presidential Speechwriters Discuss Their Craft

Former speechwriters for Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush discuss the current state of presidential messaging. 

This file photo from 2015 shows a protest over mental health care in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Is It Time to Reopen Chicago’s Shuttered Mental Health Clinics?

Will Mayor Lori Lightfoot keep her campaign promise to reopen the six mental health clinics closed in 2012 by her predecessor? Or is there or is there a better approach to treating mental illnesses?

(SeaweedJeezus / Pixabay)

Cannabis Tourism: Will Legalized Marijuana Bring Reefer Madness to Illinois?

The Jan. 1 legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois brings with it many dizzying questions. Could the Land of Lincoln become the Midwest mecca for marijuana tourism?

Aaron Lawlor appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Sept. 24, 2019.

Former Lake County Politician Aaron Lawlor Discusses Addiction, Recovery

He was a fast-rising Republican politician whose career came crashing to a halt last year. Now sober, Aaron Lawlor says he has given up politics but regained his life – and he’s eager to tell his story.

Ald. Anthony Beale appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Sept. 23, 2019.

One of Lightfoot’s Loudest City Council Critics Speaks Out

In a recent op-ed published in the Chicago Sun-Times, Ald. Anthony Beale outlined his frustrations with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Beale joins “Chicago Tonight” in conversation.

New Technique for Repairing Old Water Lines Could Save Neighborhood Trees

Water line repairs can be a costly mess. But what if there was a way to fix old water mains without tearing up streets, and old trees? There actually is, and Chicago is dipping into the waters of this technology with a pilot program.