Politics

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza: County Budget

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger submitted his budget proposal to county commissioners in the midst of a tough primary battle for his job. President Stroger and the county's Chief Financial Officer sit down with Eddie Arruza.

• 2010 Executive Budget Recommendation

Live Music Wednesday

Live Music Wednesday

Virtuoso performer Robert Gruca treats us to the seductive sounds of the Spanish classical guitar.

• Robert Gruca's upcoming performances

Politics

The Harding Affair

The Harding Affair
Sex and politics intersect once more, this time in the steamy affairs of our 29th President. We speak with the authors of a new book that re-evaluates Warren Harding.

• The Harding Affair: Love and Espionage during the Great War

Business

Newsstand

The printed newspaper may be approaching extinction, but there still seems to be an endless variety of magazines. We visit what could be Chicago's best-stocked magazine stand.

Science & Nature

New Planets

Dozens of earth-like planets were recently found, leading us to re-examine the question: are we alone? We talk to an expert from the Adler Planetarium.

• "32 New Exoplanets Found" -- European Southern Observatory

Politics

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett: City Budget

Elizabeth Brackett and her panel of aldermen discuss whether the City Council will rubber stamp the mayor's controversial budget.

Politics

City Budget

Mayor Daley's proposed 2010 budget is already generating controversy. Rich Samuels tells us why.

• City of Chicago's press release regarding the 2010 budget

Arts & Entertainment

The Calumet Region: An American Place

One photographer calls the Calumet region of northwest Indiana a "bewilderingly complex" yet "visually striking 'American place.'" We talk to the man behind the new book The Calumet Region: An American Place.

• The Calumet Portfolio by Gary Cialdella

Science & Nature

Technology Labs

There are some amazing new inventions coming out of Chicago area technology labs, and they could help get the economy back on track. We meet some local inventors who are dreaming up the products of the future.

Arts & Entertainment

Fashion Focus Chicago

Fashion Focus Chicago, which showcases Chicago's burgeoning fashion scene, kicks off this week. We get a preview with the city's fashion guru Melissa Gamble, plus two local designers who will be showcasing their work on the runway.

• Elda de la Rosa Couture
• Abigail Glaum-Lathbury