News Analysis with Carol Marin Cook County's Chief Medical Officer was on the hot seat today as commissioners critiqued his bare-bones budget. Dr. Robert Simon will join Carol Marin in the studio. Organ Donation We'll hear all about new aspects of organ donation. It involves a lot more than just signing the back of your driver's license. Guest: Dave Bosch, Gift of Life Organ & Tissue Donor Network

Lovie's Future Any truth to the speculation about the future of Bears coach Lovie Smith? Rich Samuels will be here with the latest from Halas Hall. News Analysis with Carol Marin In a cost-cutting move that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has called "unconscionable," board president Todd Stroger has called for the elimination of more than 300 sheriff's employees. Carol Marin will talk with Sheriff Dart. Click here to see every county employee's salary.

Tribune Company Auction Bids for the troubled Tribune Company were underwhelming as the auction process came to a close tonight. What does the future hold for the longtime media giant? Guest: Bob Reed

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.

Disaster Preparedness How prepared is Chicago for a major catastrophe or terrorist attack? A new federal report is at odds with the claims of city officials that we're ready. Eddie Arruza reports. News Analysis with Carol Marin 2006 was a year of uncertainties for Chicago's major newspapers. Are old-fashioned paper-and-ink dailies a thing of the past? And if not, how will they survive? Carol Marin and her panel will have a look. Guests: Jeremy Mullman, Rich Gordon, and Paula Hambrick

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.

Cosby on Education Comedian and education activist Bill Cosby brings a powerful message to Chicago and also fires back at his critics. He wants parents to take more responsibility in raising their children, and those in attendance want to make sure Cosby's message doesn't fall on deaf ears. Christian Farr will have the story.

News Analysis with Carol Marin In a rare move, the 7th Circuit Appeals Court granted George Ryan bail. That means he will remain free pending his appeal. Plus, a decision is expected today on the fate of his $197,000-per-year pension. Guest: Terry Sullivan Andy Rooney We talk one-on-one with the legendary "60 Minutes" commentator, Andy Rooney. His new book is called "Out of My Mind."

News Analysis with Carol Marin Judy Baar Topinka not only lost her bid for governor, the Republican party also lost its only constitutional officer seat in the state. In the wake of the Democratic sweep, what is the state of the state's Republican party? Carol Marin and her panel look at the future for the Illinois GOP. Guests: State Representative Brent Hassert, Paul Caprio, Greg Baise

County Board Todd Stroger claims victory and his opponent acknowledges defeat. Rich Samuels will be here with the details. News Analysis with Carol Marin Governor Blagojevich is victorious. Carol Marin and political pundits Joel Weisman and Robert Starks weigh in on all the key races. Melissa Bean We'll talk with Democrat Melissa Bean about her plans for her second term as the representative for Illinois's 8th Congressional district.

Blagojevich Clout Connection? A ride in a private jet chartered by indicted political operative Stuart Levine was the issue of the day in the race for governor. Rich Samuels tells us why. News Analysis with Carol Marin The candidates for Illinois treasurer will be here talk about how they'd handle the state's money. Guests: Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Christine Radogno, and Green Party candidate, Dan Rodriguez Schlorff

Obama-rama Oprah, the queen of talk, helped Sen. Barack Obama launch his latest campaign this morning - for his new book. We'll hear about his barnstorming book tour with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza In the first of our candidate forums, Eddie Arruza talks with Dan Seals, Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District. Seals' opponent Mark Kirk declined our invitation to participate.

Hastert Under Fire House Speaker Dennis Hastert remains on the hot seat over what he knew and when he knew it in the congressional page scandal. Hastert was in Illinois today, and we'll have the latest on this explosive story.

News Analysis with Carol Marin There's a new plan to move the Chicago Children's Museum off Navy Pier and into Grant Park. Is it a good idea? Carol Marin and her panel will debate the issue. Guests: Bob O'Neill, Grant Park Advisory Council; Edward Keegan, WBEZ-FM; Bob Crawford, retired WBBM-AM political editor.

Pope's Apology The pope has issued an unprecedented personal apology for his remarks that sparked uproar in the Muslim world. Religion expert Martin Marty tells us exactly what was said and why it created such a firestorm.

City Council Update The City Council takes up Mayor Daley's veto of the controversial "big box" ordinance. Rich Samuels brings us the latest action from City Hall. News Analysis with Carol Marin The Blagojevich administration claims a $1500 check given to the governor's daughter Amy on her birthday was not a thank you for a state job that had just come through for the giver. Critics aren't so sure. Carol marin and her panel will take a look. Guests: Andy Shaw, Kristin McQueary, John Chase