President Obama announces the beginning of troop withdrawal in Afghanistan, amid bipartisan calls to end the conflict entirely. We carry his speech live, and then Carol Marin and her panel debate the repercussions of the president's decision at home and abroad. Did President Obama make the right move regarding troops in Afghanistan?

Hundreds of teachers and union members took to the streets this morning to protest the Chicago Board of Education's decision to rescind a contractual pay raise for teachers. Ash-har Quraishi tells us what happened inside the school board meeting that followed. Collective bargaining agreement: See pg 117, item 47-2.2 for pay raise clause

Finance Committee chairman Alderman Ed Burke has a security detail of multiple bodyguards and one Chicago police car; a measure Rahm Emanuel spoke up against during his campaign. Burke has the backing of a judge when the detail was contested in 1986. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

JoAnn Chiakulas, the lone holdout juror from Rod Blagojevich's first trial, tells us why she voted not guilty and the pressure she felt to change that vote. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Blagojevich Retrial page "Breakdown of the Alleged Shakedowns"

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas says the average Chicago household now owes a whopping $63,525 to cover local government debt. Phil Ponce sits down with her to ask how she came up with the staggering $108 billion total amount.

A unanimous appeals court decision upholds that Patrick Fitzgerald's office knew that a key witness in a Gangster Disciples drug ring case lied on the stand. Carol Marin and her panel looks at prosecutorial misconduct. Chicago Tribune article U.S. Court of Appeals: Freeman opinion

It took 90 years and 88 scholars at the University of Chicago to complete work on what is known as the Assyrian Dictionary. Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at the project and its historical significance. More on the Story: Web article & photo gallery The Oriental Institute: Assyrian Dictionary project

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Rahm Emanuel grades his first 30 days as mayor of Chicago. Summer construction crews will continue working now that Senate President John Cullerton agrees to drop social programs from the capital expenditure bill. Chicago teachers vow to re-open contract negotiations after the Chicago Public Schools board unanimously rejects a 4 percent teacher raise. The Blagojevich jury continues to deliberate. A perfect storm hits Metra staff during rush hour forcing multiple train cancellations.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel delivers his own report card on his first 30 days in office. Eddie Arruza and our panel weigh in on the mayor's performance. Breakdown of Emanuel's accomplishments Chicago Tonight's Mayor Rahm Emanuel page

We hear from Michael Hogan about rising tuition, budget issues and his first year as president of the University of Illinois. Should U of I be given more resources from the state? Michael Hogan's bio

It's now a waiting game as jurors in the retrial of Rod Blagojevich finish their second day of deliberations. Two of the former governor's defense attorneys join us to discuss everything that went on and how they're feeling now that it's almost over. Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page

Gov. Pat Quinn signs a landmark education bill. We talk to the bill's sponsor about the changes that pave the way for longer school days and why it's harder for teachers to strike. More on the Story: Breakdown of school reforms & teacher reaction Do you think the bill will improve education in Illinois?

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, new top cop Garry McCarthy is beefing up police presence in the wake of mobs of thugs, who are quickly converging and dispersing, robbing shoppers and tourists in the Near North and downtown areas. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's case goes to the jury after a tough cross-examination and closing arguments. Gov. Pat Quinn threatens to shut down the summer road construction season to get legislators back to the bargaining table in Springfield.

The fate of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is now in the hands of the jury. The prosecution and defense teams finished their closing arguments Thursday afternoon. Elizabeth Brackett was in court and has the story. Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page Do you think Rod Blagojevich is guilty?

It's nearly a wrap. The prosecution and defense in the corruption retrial of Rod Blagojevich both rested their cases today, and the prosecution began its closing argument. Elizabeth Brackett was in court for it all and reports back with the details. Chicago Tonight's Blagojevich Retrial page