Politics

City Council Shake-up

Do fewer City Council committees mean big savings for taxpayers? Carol Marin and her panel of veteran and incoming aldermen take up the issue, days before the beginning of the new term.

• More on the Story: Chicago City Council Reorganized
• Are you optimistic about the new political era coming to City Hall?

Politics

Motion for Mistrial

Defense attorneys for Rod Blagojevich filed a motion for a mistrial this morning, saying that the numerous objections from prosecutors during cross-examination is preventing them from doing their job. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Ask Alpana

Ask Alpana

Concerned about how much sugar is in your diet? Check Please! host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh breaks down which wines to avoid.

• More on Alpana's wine recommendations
• Watch more Ask Alpana segments and ask her your own question

Alpana's Recommendations for wines that can be enjoyed without food:

• Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes - "For an aperitif white, this Torrontes is really nice with or without food.  It's light, crisp and refreshing with floral notes."
• Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly - "For an aperitif red, I would suggest a Gamay which is similar in style to a Pinot Noir but with more floral notes.  It's light in body so you don't need food to support it and is also enjoyable with a slight chill to make the fruit more pronounced."

Alpana's Recommendations for wines to be enjoyed with food:

• Castle Rock Chardonnay Central Coast - "It has a much richer buttery flavor that works better with food, especially creamy pastas or cheesy dishes."
• Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico - "I find that most Italian reds taste better with food because it fits the Italian philosophy of enjoying wine and dinner."

For more on the battle of canned vs. bottled beer, click here.

Arts & Entertainment

Embracing the Rat Race

Can chaos lead to happiness? A new book argues that we need -- and should embrace -- the rat race. We speak with the author, Todd Buchholz.

• More on the Story: Stress, Challenge and the Rat Race
• Do stress and competition help you achieve your goals?
• Todd Buchholz' website

Blagojevich Trial 2011

"F***ing Golden" Tape Played at Blagojevich Trial

Today in court, jurors for the Blagojevich trial heard the infamous "f***ing golden" tape and more of the ex-Governor's alleged efforts to trade the Senate seat. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

• Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Politics

Quinn's 2012 Budget

Is Gov. Pat Quinn's next state budget playing fast and loose with numbers? That's what the Civic Federation is saying. Eddie Arruza gets the latest from Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney. Then, he and his panelists take a look at the conflicting estimates in Illinois' 2012 budget.

• More on the Story: Civic Federation Critical of Quinn's 2012 Budget
• The Civic Federation website
• We Are One Illinois

Politics

Chicago 2011 Transition

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel releases his transition report calling for cuts in government spending, consolidation of departments and a reorganization in the City Council. Ash-har Quraishi is here with the details.

• More on the Story: Emanuel Outlines Goals for First 100 Days
• More on the Story: Chicago City Council Reorganized

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Arts & Entertainment

Bikes for the Disabled

It looks and feels like a normal bike - with one big exception. We meet the Chicagoan who has given kids with special needs an opportunity to experience what they previously could not.

• More on the Story: A slideshow of the bikes
• JoRide's website

Arts & Entertainment

Phil Rogers on Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks is one of a scant few who have hit more than 500 home runs. We sit down with Phil Rogers, the author of Ernie Banks: Mr. Cub and the Summer of '69.

• More on the Story: An excerpt from the book and a slideshow