County Phone Scandal We'll have the latest allegation about insider contracts at the county, and we'll hear what officials there have to say about a firm that doesn't have to show what it does to earn millions of taxpayer dollars. Christian Farr has the story.

Obama in the Headlines Sen. Barack Obama said today that America can still play the role of preeminent world leader. But it was local politics that got him in trouble on the Sun-Times' front page. New ties between indicted power broker Tony Rezko and Obama have surfaced. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Virginia Tech Shooting A deadly shooting rampage at Virginia Tech University has claimed at least 32 people and wounded dozens, making it the deadliest gun massacre in U.S. history. How safe are our public spaces and how can we better protect ourselves from such a tragedy? News Analysis with Carol Marin Mayor Daley is celebrating this weekend's announcement that Chicago will be the U.S. applicant for the Olympics in 2016. But is it all good news? Carol Marin will talk cost with Chicago 2016 Committee Chairman Pat Ryan.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The 43rd ward is one of the city's most affluent, covering Lincoln Park and Old Town. Development is a major issue. But this race has also become noteworthy for campaign mudslinging. Eddie Arruza talks to two-term incumbent Vi Daley and challenger Michelle Smith.

Police Superintendent Retires After a week of intense scrutiny over his handling of two incidents involving off-duty police officers in bar brawls, Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline announced his retirement today, 7 months ahead of when he was initially set to step down. The superintendent's announcement came after he met with Mayor Daley this morning. Did the Mayor push Superintendent Cline into early retirement and who may be next in line to be Chicago's top cop? Elizabeth Brackett will have the story.

Chicago Spire Internationally acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava unveils his newest plan for North America's tallest building — a soaring condo tower planned for the mouth of the Chicago River. The new design wowed the crowd, but have the architect and developer silenced their critics? Geoffrey Baer will tell us.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett A young boy from Indiana has found himself at the center of an international medical story. His father's smallpox vaccine caused a severe reaction in the boy. His case is being treated as a kind of a test of how prepared we are for a disease outbreak. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel will take a look. Guests: Dr. Madelyn Kahana, Comer Children's Hospital; Dr. Susan Gerber, Chicago Department of Public Health; and Dr. Ken Alexander, Comer Children's Hospital

RTA Overhaul An Illinois Auditor General's report calls for a complete overhaul of the RTA. At the same time the agency is requesting more than $10 billion in funding. We'll get to the bottom of this with State Rep. Julie Hamos, a member of the Illinois House Mass Transit Committee. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza It's the eve of the Chicago municipal elections and Eddie Arruza sits down with local reporters to talk politics. Guests: Carlos Hernandez Gomez, Alden Loury and Mike Flannery

Obama's Official Announcement Sen. Barack Obama launched his presidential campaign this weekend. Our Carol Marin was there and will have the details. Plus, we'll take another look at the in-depth biographical profile Elizabeth Brackett put together about Obama on the eve of his 2004 Senate campaign. News Analysis with Carol Marin We'll begin our coverage of this month's aldermanic elections with a look at the hotly contested 7th ward race among Ald. Darcel Beavers, Sandi Jackson and two other candidates.

News Analysis with Carol Marin He may be Chicago's most powerful politician that no one recognizes. Carol Marin sits down with William Daley, the brother of the mayor, advisor to Sen. Barack Obama, and former Secretary of the Commerce Department under Bill Clinton.

Bears Alumni Club They proved the critics wrong and now the NFC Champion Bears are headed to the Super Bowl. Our panel of Bears experts talk about last night's stomping of the Saints. Plus, Elizabeth Brackett tells us what Lovie Smith had to say at today's Bears press conference. Guests: Emery Moorehead, Mike Adamle and Mike Mulligan

Escape from Jail Elizabeth Brackett will have exclusive details of a Downers Grove businessman's escape from an Iraqi jail. The former Minister of Electricity had been held in an Iraqi jail on corruption charges. News Analysis with Carol Marin CTA president Frank Kruesi, Ald. Joe Moore and Ald. Ricardo Munoz join Carol Marin to talk about the CTA's current woes.

Ald. Troutman Arrested There was news today of an alleged shakedown scheme by Chicago alderman Arenda Troutman. Rich Samuels was at federal court and brings us the latest. Read the Troutman complaint here.

Daley Challengers Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown made her Chicago mayoral candidacy official today. And Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife Sandi says she wants to be the 7th Ward alderman. Rich Samuels has the latest on the lineups for the February municipal elections.

Mayor Running Again Mayor Daley made it official today: He's running for a sixth term. Rich Samuels reports on the mayor's announcement and the reaction of his challengers. Click here for updated lists of candidates filing for the February 27, 2007 election.

President Todd Stroger Todd Stroger was sworn in this morning as president of the Cook County Board. Rich Samuels has the details. News Analysis with Carol Marin Retiring Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan took time out of his last day in office to file a $189,000-lawsuit against his employer, Cook County. Carol Marin sits down with the sheriff to askhim about this and about his 16 years in office.