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

Politics

Reporters Panel

We hear inside stories from reporters who witnessed the action in the courtroom, and we discuss what today's verdict means for corruption in Illinois.

• How do you think the Blagojevich verdict will impact politics in Illinois?

Politics

Blagojevich's Political Career

As Rod Blagojevich faces the prospect of becoming the fourth Illinois governor to go to prison, Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at the embattled governor's political career.

• Blagojevich Retrial page: Watch videos from our Blagojevich Archive

Politics

Jury Panel

The Blagojevich jurors speak out. To help us understand the verdict from their perspective, we speak with Jim Matsumoto, foreman of the previous Blagojevich jury and two jury consultants.

• Blagojevich Retrial page: Read Matsumoto's blog posts

Politics

Lawyers Panel

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says the people of Illinois are vindicated by the Blagojevich verdict. We hear from Carol Marin and her panel of legal experts on today's historic verdict and discuss what's next for the convicted former governor.

• "Breakdown of the Alleged Shakedowns"

Politics

Blagojevich Verdict

On day 10 of jury deliberations, former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is found guilty on 17 of the 20 counts against him. Elizabeth Brackett was in court when the verdict was read and recounts the emotional and historic day.

• Blagojevich Trial Verdict