Arts & Entertainment

Modern Day Thoreau

One local man has set off to rediscover balance with nature, and explore a modern interpretation of Henry David Thoreau. We speak with the author of Cabin Fever: A Suburban Father's Search for the Wild.

• More on the Story: Read an excerpt from the book
• More on the book
• Author's website

Science & Nature

Emerald Ash Borer

The hungry insect in question is the emerald ash borer which is devastating the area's ash trees. Jay Shefsky introduces us to some researchers who are trying to understand the bug well enough to find an ash tree that can co-exist with this pervasive pest.

• More on the Story: The latest on the fight against EAB
• Emerald Ash Borer Info
• EAB Interactive Map, IDA
• Illinois Emerald Ash Borer, IDA
• The Morton Arboretum
• Illinois Emerald Ash Borer Wood Utilization Team

Business

Bill Clinton's Global Initiative

Former president Bill Clinton joins his former staffer, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, right here in Chicago to launch a major initiative. Paris Schutz has the story.

• More on the Story: Web article
• Clinton's Global Initiative
• Chicago Tribune article

Politics

Sentencing Blagojevich

When added up, Rod Blagojevich faces a maximum penalty of more than 200 years. We talk to three lawyers about sentencing guidelines and the reality of the former governor's future.

• What do you think would be a fair sentence for Blagojevich?
• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Politics

Mayor Emanuel and Labor Unions

Mayor Emanuel challenged organized labor to partner with him in solving a $30 million budget shortfall or face the loss of 625 city jobs. But city labor leaders say there have been absolutely no negotiations between the city and organized labor. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• Chicago Sun-Times article
• Chicago Tribune article
• Chicago Tonight's Mayor Rahm Emanuel page

Politics

Cameras in the Courtroom

The Casey Anthony murder trial is big news across the nation, and cameras have been there to capture every moment in the courtroom. Cameras are not currently allowed in Illinois Federal court, but should they be? We take up the issue.

• Should cameras be allowed in Illinios courtrooms?

Politics

Campaign Reform

Cindi Canary, former head of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, and Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka discuss the effect of the Blagojevich trial on the future of Illinois politics.

• Chicago Sun-Times article on Cindi Canary
• Illinois Campaign for Finance Reform
• State of Illinois Comptroller website

Politics

Life in Prison

What will life be like for Blagojevich once his prison term begins? We talk with former George Ryan campaign manager and chief of staff Scott Fawell about his time in prison and what Blagojevich can expect.

• Chicago Magazine article
• Chicago Sun-Times article

Blagojevich Trial 2011

Blagojevich Jurors Talk

One day later, the foreperson in the Blagojevich retrial along with two other jurors joins Elizabeth Brackett to discuss the verdict.

• More on the Story: Interviews with 2 Blago jurors
• Blagojevich Trial Verdict page
• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Business

Furlough Plan Expires

An agreement between the City of Chicago and a number of labor unions is set to expire this week. Could this be the end of mandatory furlough days for city employees? Ash-har Quraishi tells us what Mayor Rahm Emanuel has to say about the issue.

• Inspector General report on Chicago's furloughs
• Salaries of city employees with and without furloughs
• Timeline of furloughs by the city of Chicago, 2001-2011
• Chicago News Cooperative article
• Chicago Federation of Labor
• Chicago Tonight's Mayor Rahm Emanuel Page