News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Sen. Barack Obama took a giant step toward running for the White House today when he formed a presidential exploratory committee. Guests: David Axelrod, Bruce Dold, Laura Washington

News Analysis with Carol Marin Sen. Barack Obama is making waves with a topless Hawaiian beach photo. We'll talk to his political consultant, David Axelrod, about it and about Obama's likely run for the White House.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman We'll gaze into our 2007 crystal ball. What lies ahead for the city and state in government, politics, business, the arts, and sports? Will it be a prosperous, scandalous, or problematic year? Tonight at 7:00 pm. Guests:

Alsammarae Update The Oak Brook businessman who escaped from an Iraqi jail has told our Elizabeth Brackett he is safe and out of the reach of the Iraqis. Aiham Alsammarae was convicted and then cleared of corruption charges relating to his term as Minister of Electricity in Iraq. But he was still being held in a Baghdad jail facing additional corruption charges when he was spirited away by what Iraqi officials say was an American security company. Elizabeth Brackett will have the details.

City Council Debrief The three new aldermen appointed by Mayor Daley to the Chicago City ouncil took their seats today. Rich Samuels has the latest on the last council meeting of the year and the upcoming municipal elections. News Analysis with Carol Marin His mother was a Kennedy, his father a member of the rat pack. But Christopher Kennedy Lawford became a drug addict. He'll share his story with Carol Marin tonight.

Election Day 2006

Rezko Pleads Not Guilty Democratic fundraiser Tony Rezko pleaded not guilty in federal court today on fraud charges. A plea in a separate case is expected later today. Rich Samuels brings us the latest. News Analysis with Carol Marin Tony Peraica, Republican candidate for Cook County Board President, joins us to talk about what he plans to do for the county if he wins. His democratic opponent, Todd Stroger, declined to participate on tonight's program.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Mayor Daley has appointed reform-minded State Senator Miguel del Valle as the new City Clerk. Eddie Arruza will ask del Valle why he took the job and what he's going to do with it. Patricia Hitchcock We'll talk to Patricia Hitchcock about her famous father, the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Click here for more on the upcoming Hitchcock Festival.

New Indictments Announced Businessman and top advisor to Governor Blagojevich Tony Rezko was indicted today in two fraud cases. Carol Marin reports on what else came out of today's press conference by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Then she and her guests will talk about what this could mean for the governor, with just weeks to go before the election.

Carpentersville Controversy A proposed ordinance in Carpentersville could be the first of its kind in Illinois. It's designed to crackdown on illegal immigrants, but some opponents believe it could turn the village into a ghost town. Christian Farr investigates both sides of this debate.

A Gay Gene? Nature or nurture — what determines sexual orientation? We'll hear from a Northwestern researcher whose study could determine whether there's a gay gene. Learn more about the study. News Analysis with Elizaeth Brackett Five-year old Diamond Brownridge is clinging to life after a dental procedure Saturday left her in a coma. Elizabeth Brackett and her guests look at some of the questions all parents should ask before their children undergo dental procedures.

Cook County FBI Probe In a federal raid on the Cook County building, FBI agents carted off boxes of records confiscated from the Bureau of Human Resources this afternoon. Christian Farr has the story and reaction to it. Ray Suarez Ray Suarez of the Newshour joins us to talk about Sen. Barack Obama, the upcoming congressional elections and his new book, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Autumn is a stressful time for students, and tensions are heightened for those applying for early admission to college. The University of Illinois recently promised to let students know more quickly whether or not they made the cut. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at this, as well as other stories in the news about changing college admission standards. Guests: Michael Mills, Bill Motzer

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent Paul Salopek is being held in the Sudan on charges of espionage. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the perils of reporting abroad. Political Hiring Interim Cook County Board President Bobby Steele bans political hiring. Rich Samuels will be here with the latest on allegations of clout at the county building.

Cook County Debrief Will Cook County join the city in getting a federal monitor overseeing its hiring practices? That's what Republican candidate for Cook County Board President is demanding. Eddie Arruza will have the latest on alleged patronage hiring at the county level. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Mayor Daley weighs in on the city ban on foie gras. Elizabeth Brackett's panel includes the alderman who proposed the ban. Guests: Ald. Joseph Moore, Chris Robling, Paul Green

Business Briefs Big changes are afoot at Peoples Energy. A Wisconsin utility will pay $1.5 billion in stock for Peoples. But WPS Resources says it will move its headquarters here. We'll also examine the latest on Kraft's $1.7 billion European acquisition and Boeing's surge in plane orders.