Stories by evan garcia

The Week in Review: Lightfoot Meets with Ivanka Trump in Washington

Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot visits Washington, D.C. Legalized pot and a progressive income tax face hurdles in Springfield. And Cubs fans boo the return of Addison Russell.

In this July 5, 2018, file photo, a jockey truck passes a stack of 40-foot China Shipping containers at the Port of Savannah in Savannah, Georgia. For months, the U.S. economy has shrugged off the tariffs slapped by America and China on tens of billions of dollars of each other’s goods. (AP Photo / Stephen B. Morton, File)

Chinese Trade Negotiators Head to Washington After Trump’s Tariff Threats

Following President Donald Trump’s threats of increased tariffs on roughly $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, Chinese negotiators plan to talk trade in Washington.

WTTW News takes a test ride on a pair of electric scooters by the company Lime.

Chicago is Getting Electric Scooters – But Are They Safe?

Chicago is rolling out an electric scooter pilot program this summer, but a recent government study of the shared scooter system in Austin, Texas, underscores the importance of riders wearing helmets. 

(7raysmarketing / Pixabay)

Legalizing Marijuana in Illinois: A Good or Bad Idea?

Some state lawmakers are scrambling to pass a bill legalizing recreational marijuana this month. Others are urging for a slowdown. We debate the pros and cons of legalization.

Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg speaks during a news conference after the company’s annual shareholders meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago, on Monday, April 29, 2019. (AP Photo / Jim Young, Pool)

Boeing CEO Faces Tough Questions at Shareholder Meeting

It’s been more than a month since the FAA grounded Boeing’s troubled 737 Max aircraft. This week, the head of the Chicago-based company addressed shareholders and reporters.

The Week in Review: Pritzker Reportedly Under Federal Investigation

J.B. Pritzker faces a federal investigation into his property taxes. Mayor Emanuel brokers a deal between striking musicians and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 

Manijeh Bonshahi forages flowers from a maple tree in Lincoln Park. (Evan Garcia / WTTW News)

Eating the Parks: Foraging in Chicago’s Urban Landscape

Tours like Dave Odd’s “Eat the Neighborhood” in Lincoln Park introduce Chicagoans to local plants that are edible or can be used for medicinal purposes. 

Bob Dylan’s Legendary Electric Guitar on Display in Chicago

The first electric guitar Bob Dylan played live in performance – a legendary instrument which sparked uproar – is on public display at the American Writers Museum. We go for a look.

(Rich Bamford / Flickr)

Report: Amazon Employees Are Listening to Alexa Conversations

Would you forgo your privacy for more effective technology? Owners of voice-activated home devices may need to start asking themselves that question.

How Guano Islands Helped Build an American Empire

The U.S. empire stretches farther than you may think. The new book “How to Hide an Empire” details America’s acquisition of foreign land.

Neon artist Audra Jacot lights up one of her works at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Light Lab.

Bright Idea from Longtime Professor Brings Neon Art to Rogers Park

Have you ever wanted to make your own neon sign? You may soon be in luck. Neon artists, led by a 30-year veteran of the School of the Art Institute, plan to offer art classes and studio space on the North Side.

Web Extra, The Week in Review: Amending Gun Ownership Laws

Paris Schutz and guests discuss the possible impact of a proposed Illinois bill that would require anyone buying a gun to provide fingerprints for identity verification purposes.

The Week in Review: Lincoln Yards Approved, Emanuel Applauded

The controversial Lincoln Yards project gets the OK from City Council as Mayor Rahm Emanuel bids farewell to the chamber. And Chicago’s inspector general releases a damming report on the police department’s so-called gang database.

Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 30, 2019. (WTTW News)

Chicago Inspector General to Release Report on Gang Database

More than 128,000 individuals in Chicago are identified as gang-related, according to reports. The city’s top watchdog tells us about the police department’s gang database.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks during a news conference Tuesday, March 26, 2019, after prosecutors abruptly dropped all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett. (AP Photo / Teresa Crawford)

Chicago’s Top Cop Eddie Johnson on Smollett, Mayor-Elect Lightfoot

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson weighs in on the Jussie Smollett investigation, and how he’ll work with Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot.

Meet the Runoff Winners of 4 Open City Council Seats

Tuesday’s runoff election brought to a close aldermanic battles in 15 wards across the city. We speak with Alds.-elect Jeanette Taylor (20th Ward), Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward), Samantha “Sam” Nugent (39th Ward) and Matt Martin (40th Ward).

Aldermanic candidates for the 40th Ward: Incumbent Ald. Patrick O’Connor, left, and Andre Vasquez.

Incumbent Aldermen Fight for Their Political Lives in Runoff Election

Longtime Ald. O’Connor defeated by democratic socialist 40th Ward

In an upset, longtime Ald. Patrick O’Connor was unseated Tuesday by former rapper Andre Vasquez. How the runoff played out in other wards across the city.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House Reopens After Massive Renovation

The Frederick C. Robie House – a masterpiece of Prairie School architecture – reopened to the public Friday after a multimillion-dollar restoration both inside and out.

Cliff Kelley appears on “Chicago Tonight” on March 28, 2019.

Radio Host, Former Ald. Cliff Kelley Steps Down from WVON Afternoon Gig

For a quarter century, he has parsed politics and discussed the issues impacting Chicago as afternoon radio talk show host on WVON. Cliff Kelley reflects on his career.

(ErikaWittlieb / Pixabay)

Report: In US Prisons, Women Disciplined More than Men for Minor Offenses

Local journalists detail the discrepancy between the discipline of men and women in prisons across the U.S., including Illinois. We speak with Jessica Pupovac, lead reporter of the yearlong investigation.

In this March 14, 2019, file photo a worker walks next to a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane parked at Boeing Field in Seattle. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren, File)

Aviation Officials Face Grilling Over 737 Max Crashes, Recall

Senators grill government officials and Boeing representatives following a global recall of the 737 Max plane. What the increased scrutiny – and a federal probe – could mean for the aviation industry.

Journalism students from Senn High School pose with members of “Chicago Tonight” at WTTW in October 2018. (Courtesy of Michael Cullinane)

High School Journalists Go Beyond ‘Senn TV’ with New Stories of Chicago

Chicago high school students, with some guidance from WTTW, recently produced stories showcasing one family’s journey from Bangladesh to Chicago and an open mic event sponsored by Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper.

Web Extra, The Week in Review: $10M NFL Settlement

Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the impact of a reported $10 million settlement between the NFL and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and current Carolina Panthers player Eric Reid.

The Week in Review: Lightfoot, Preckwinkle Face Off on WTTW

Mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle continue battling it out to become Chicago’s next mayor. Boeing’s 737 crisis worsens. No sentence change for Jason Van Dyke. And we preview the baseball season.

Ice Fishing Derby Draws Hundreds to Chicago Area

Nearly 450 fishermen flocked to the 10th annual LVVA Ice Fishing Derby on Bangs Lake in north suburban Wauconda earlier this month. And we were there to catch the action.

Aldermanic candidates for the 30th Ward: Incumbent Ald. Ariel Reboyras and Jessica Gutierrez.

30th Ward Candidate Forum: Jessica Gutierrez

Ald. Ariel Reboyras has represented the 30th Ward since 2003 and is now facing Jessica Gutierrez, the daughter of former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, in his first runoff election.