Stories by jay shefsky

Left: Nathan Leopold, soon after his arrest. (Chicago Daily News photo courtesy of the Chicago History Museum)

The Mystery of Nathan Leopold’s Bird Collection

In all the attempts to dissect the Leopold and Loeb story, one mystery remains unsolved: What happened to the vast bird collection that Nathan Leopold had in his Chicago home when he went to prison?

(Photo credit: Josh Feeney)

Photographer Donates His Talents to Help Dogs Get Adopted

More than 6,000 dogs were taken in by the city’s animal shelter last year. How one local animal lover is focusing his lens on the challenge of finding them permanent homes.

John Koch (Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Hats and ‘Bracelets’ Gone Berserk: The Wildly Creative Wares of John Koch

He’s been making hats and gloves for 45 years, but they’re not designed to keep us warm. Meet the man behind some eye-catching creations.

Discovery of Political Buttons at NEIU Offers Glimpse Into Past

A newly discovered collection of old political buttons may tell us something about the voters of an earlier era.

Nearly 50 Years Later, Highwood Bocce Club Members Still Having a Ball

You may know it as bocce ball, bocci or bocce. But however you say it (or spell it) this ancient Italian sport is gaining in popularity with U.S. players. We visit north suburban Highwood for a look – and a lesson.

(Photo credit: Josh Feeney)

Photographer Donates His Talents to Help Dogs Get Adopted

More than 6,000 dogs were taken in by the city’s animal shelter last year. How one local animal lover is focusing his lens on the challenge of finding them permanent homes.

The Bollweevils pose after a rehearsal in a Northwest Side basement. From left: Pete Mittler, Daryl Wilson, Ken Fitzner, Pete Mumford. (Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Chicago Punk Rock Musicians with Unexpected Day Jobs

The story of one local punk band whose members’ lives have gone in some surprising directions.  

(Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo)

Pilsen Photographer Sebastian Hidalgo Focuses on Longtime Residents

Meet a photographer who captures a “culture under threat” in an area recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the 12 coolest neighborhoods in the world. 

Nearly 50 Years Later, Highwood Bocce Club Members Still Having a Ball

You may know it as bocce ball, bocci or bocce. But however you say it (or spell it) this ancient Italian sport is gaining in popularity with U.S. players. We visit north suburban Highwood for a look – and a lesson.

Stacey Greene is the owner of Park Bait Shop at Montrose Harbor. (Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Live Bait Shop at Montrose Harbor a Relic of Chicago’s Fishing Heyday

Once upon a time in Chicago, so many people fished to feed their families that there were bait shops up and down the lakefront. The oldest one has been owned by the same family for 60 years.

Producer Jay Shefsky and cameraman Felix Mendez pose with the crew of Mise en Place at Jackson Park Harbor.

Black Sailors in Chicago Chart a New Course

Sailing is a mostly white, male sport. On the eve of the Race to Mackinac, we visit one crew that bucks both of those trends. 

(Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Behind the Scenes at Vienna Beef on its 125th Birthday

The company started by two Viennese immigrants in 1893 makes more than 100 million sausages each year at its Chicago plant. We take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the sausage is made. 

Chicago Sailing Camp Sets Sights on Diversifying Sport

This summer, a local sailing camp has tried to break down economic barriers with a scholarship program for a majority of its campers. 

The Power of Scuba Diving for People with Disabilities

We visit a local nonprofit that offers free scuba training to adults and children with special needs.

Stacey Greene is the owner of Park Bait Shop at Montrose Harbor. (Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Live Bait Shop at Montrose Harbor a Relic of Chicago’s Fishing Heyday

Once upon a time in Chicago, so many people fished to feed their families that there were bait shops up and down the lakefront. The oldest one has been owned by the same family for 60 years.

Cook County Fisheries biologists Jim Phillips and Steve Silic in the walleye hatchery.

Making Baby Walleye in Cook County

Though not a terribly romantic process, walleye breeding at the Cook County Forest Preserve District produces thousands of young fish for county lakes. We take a closer look.

Producer Jay Shefsky and cameraman Felix Mendez pose with the crew of Mise en Place at Jackson Park Harbor.

Black Sailors in Chicago Chart a New Course

Sailing is a mostly white, male sport. On the eve of the Race to Mackinac, we visit one crew that bucks both of those trends. 

(Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo)

Pilsen Photographer Sebastian Hidalgo Focuses on Longtime Residents

Meet a photographer who captures a “culture under threat” in an area named last month by Forbes magazine as one of the 12 coolest neighborhoods in the world. 

The Power of Scuba Diving for People with Disabilities

We visit a local nonprofit that offers free scuba training to adults and children with special needs.

(Jay Shefsky / Chicago Tonight)

Behind the Scenes at Vienna Beef on its 125th Birthday

The company started by two Viennese immigrants in 1893 makes more than 100 million sausages each year at its Chicago plant. We take a behind-the-scenes tour to see how the sausage is made. 

Cook County Fisheries biologists Jim Phillips and Steve Silic in the walleye hatchery.

Making Baby Walleye in Cook County

Though not a terribly romantic process, walleye breeding at the Cook County Forest Preserve District produces thousands of young fish for county lakes. We take a closer look.

Archive: John Callaway Interviews Elizabeth Brackett

As an interviewer, Elizabeth Brackett was known for her excellent preparation and probing questions. In late April 2009, the tables were turned when longtime “Chicago Tonight” host John Callaway directed the questions at her.

Photographer Owen Deutsch

Former Fashion Photographer Finds Beauty in Nature

After 20 years in the fashion industry, Owen Deutsch wasn’t planning on getting back into photography. But then he discovered a new subject: birds.

For Giant Globes Founder, Business is a Global Endeavor

Matt Binns is equal parts artist, inventor and businessman. We visit his workshop to see how his company’s custom-made globes are constructed.

Jay Shefsky with the men of Amundsen House. Clockwise, from top left: Jay Shefsky, Allan Rehwinkel, Bill Rogers, Louis Kaufman, Jim Kearns, George Minasian.

Together for Decades, 5 Men Aim for Independence

How independently can adults with intellectual disabilities live as they age? We visit a group of men who have shared a home for decades. 

A warbling vireo photographed at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary by Rob Curtis.

Chicago Bird Sanctuary is Best Place in State to See Spring Migration

Here’s something that might surprise you: The best place in the entire state of Illinois to see birds during their spring migration is in the city of Chicago.