The Week in Review

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman

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. And in sports, "Sweet Lou" Piniella will end his run as Cubs manager at the end of the season. Will former Cub Ryne Sandberg or Yankees manager Joe Girardi replace him?

Guests:

• Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times
• Roger Crockett, Business Reporter
• Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune
• Lester Munson, ESPN

Viewer Feedback

Viewer Mail

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Ask Geoffrey

Ask Geoffrey

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

Arts & Entertainment

Carless in Chicago

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

Arts & Entertainment

Drag Racing

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.

Business

News Analysis: City Finances

In a controversial move a year and half ago, the City of Chicago leased its parking meters for more than $1 billion. The windfall was supposed to be a long-term asset, but it's now being reported that the money is almost gone. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what this means for the city's finances.

Blagojevich Trial 2010

Rod Blagojevich Trial

Closing arguments are expected to take just one day at the Blagojevich trial. We have the latest from federal court.

Blagojevich Trial 2010

Rod Blagojevich Trial

It's official, Rod Blagojevich will not take the stand to testify in his own defense. Rod Blagojevich's defense team rested its case today after calling no witnesses. Closing arguments are expected to begin Monday. Why did the ex-governor refrain from testifying? We hear from lawyers, journalists and trial consultants about this and all the latest developments from federal court.

• Read our Blagojevich Blog

More Video

• Watch legal perspective
• Watch jury consultants
• Watch reporters' roundtable
• Viewer mail received about Blagojevich trial

Arts & Entertainment

Hidden Neighborhoods

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.

• Architecture critic Lee Bey
• Alta Vista terrace
• Auburn Park
• Historic Bridgeport
• Marktown Historic District in East Chicago, Indiana
• Old Edgebrook
• Racine Bluffs, Glencoe
• U.S. Gypsum's Research Village in Palatine

Arts & Entertainment

Toni Stone

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