Arts & Entertainment
On tonight's edition: the jury deliberates as the Blagojevich brothers wait. In politics, gubernatorial candidates Pat Quinn and Bill Brady spar over possible increases in real estate and income taxes. We take a closer look at a Chicago Sun-Times series on the toll of violence in Chicago, including the rising body count and the fact that communities are remaining silent. And in sports, baseball's trade deadline, the Blackhawks' money problems, and the red-hot White Sox.
Guests:
Local musician Sad Brad Smith tells us how the movie Up in the Air helped put him on the map, and performs his song from the film.
Shrek's new swamp has landed in downtown Chicago. We meet the Carol Stream native who's playing the beloved ogre in the first national tour of Shrek the Musical.
Eric Petersen's official site
Check, Please! host and master sommelier Alpana Singh introduces us to some favorite wine websites you should be visiting.
Alpana Singh's Favorite Wine Websites:
Legendary jazz disc jockey Dick Buckley died last week. We hear what Buckley had to say about his life and career in a classic WTTW documentary from 1989.
On tonight's edition: Rod Blagojevich's defense team rests without putting one witness on the stand, including the former Governor himself; another Chicago police officer is killed -- the third in two months -- as he was washing a new car outside his Park Manor home; despite a promise of more police and no new taxes, Mayor Daley's popularity falls to a new low in a Chicago Tribune poll; the city digs deep into its financial reserves, leaving just $180 million from the controversial billion dollar parking meter lease deal; and Chicago-area construction resumes as the labor strike is settled.
We head north to Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. One night each month, it entices illegal street racers to the track to race legally.
Looking to avoid summer traffic, closed roads and high gas prices? Carless in Chicago author Jason Rothstein offers tips for navigating the city without a car.
Read the Carless in Chicago blog
Why is an empty building in Lincoln Park engraved with the word "Perfection?" Geoffrey Baer reveals the rather morbid answer in this week's edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Yerkes Observatory
Lincoln Park Boat Club
Row4Row--Lincoln Park Boat Club is a sponsor for this breast cancer awareness project
We speak with the author of a new biography that tells the courageous story of Toni Stone, the first woman to play baseball in the Negro Leagues.
Curveball
Negro League data on Toni Stone
No matter how well you think you know this city, there are always a few surprises around the corner. Geoffrey Baer finds some Chicago neighborhoods that are so hidden, they take even him by surprise.
He may look right at home in the jungle, but Tarzan is really from Oak Park, and the man who played him in the movies went to Lane Tech. Geoffrey Baer looks at what's born and made in Chicago.
Watch part one of "Made in Chicago"
On tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: The prosecution wraps up its case against Rod Blagojevich early -- the secretly recorded tapes are titillating, but are they strong enough to convict? Campaign advertising is heating up with tough ads, including one portraying Bill Brady as anti-woman and another asking if you'd trust Alexi Giannoulias with your money. Hugh Hefner is trying to take Chicago's iconic Playboy private as other suitors are in hot pursuit.
It involves a ball and two nets, but it's not basketball or soccer. We introduce you to a sport that is popular around the world -- and now starting to take off in Chicago.
See two of the world's best handball teams compete this weekend in Chicago
Remember the cow blamed for causing the Chicago Fire? Geoffrey Baer tells us about a South side home that may be connected to the infamous O'Leary family.
The Chicago Stand-Up Project
We get a sneak peek at a new WTTW show premiering Friday night at 8:30 pm that follows well-known Chicago personalities not known for comedy as they receive a crash course in how to be funny.