The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 pm The day after Thanksgiving means one thing, it's officially shopping season. On this special edition of The Week in Review, we'll predict whether or not it will be a merry season for retailers. We'll also take a closer look at Chicago's economy and what makes our business climate so unique from other parts of the country. And we'll grade Chicago's business beat. Just how good, or bad, is the coverage and how can it be improved. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm The Stacy Peterson case drawing national attention, Mayor Daley's record budget passes, top lawmakers bicker at critical transit summit, United and Delta airlines reportedly talking about a merger, Chicago rap star Kanye West's mother dies during plastic surgery, four local transplant recipients get HIV from a donor, and Rex Grossman back at quarterback for the Bears. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm Former Governor George Ryan reports to prison, the feds investigating City Hall influence in Bridgeport real estate deals, the plunging stock market shocks investors this week, the test score gap between white and minority public high school students widening, more than 30 public schools now on a year-round schedule, the Bulls finally win their first game of the season, and the rested Bears get ready for the Raiders. Guests:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Lawmakers wrestling with the transit budget crisis, Mayor Daley unveiling a scaled down city budget on Monday, former Governor George Ryan may be heading to jail next week, we'll take a closer look at crime coverage in the media, Oprah Winfrey dealing with a sex scandal at her South African girls school, big changes on the local radio landscape, Bulls general manager John Paxson shoots down Kobe Bryant trade rumors, and Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher battling a bad back and the local media. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm Former Governor George Ryan could soon be heading to jail, Mayor Daley softens his stance on his proposed property tax hike, bickering lawmakers still can't agree on a CTA bailout plan, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger holds public hearings on his proposed budget, slumping home sales unnerve the real estate market here, Macy's launches a new campaign to lure lost Marshall Field's customers, and can quarterback Brian Griese salvage the Bears season? Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm Cook County Board President Todd Stroger proposing $888 million in tax hikes, some Chicago aldermen ready to contest Mayor Daley's proposed $293 million in tax, fee, and fine increases, casino proposals gathering momentum in Springfield, the CHA requiring adult residents to find a job or attend school for 20 hours a week, nearly 900 Illinois schools failed to meet federal 'No Child Left Behind' standards, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert ready to retire, and the Bears season barely alive. Guests:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Mayor Daley unveils his bad news budget, record heat wreaks havoc at the Chicago Marathon, the CTA presents more doomsday scenarios, Chicago's scandal-plagued elite cop unit disbanded, Rev. Jesse Jackson protests police abuse at the Harold Ickes Public Housing Project, the rejuvenated Bears get ready for the Vikings, and the Cubs dream season a playoff nightmare. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm The debate over city and county tax hikes rages on, the latest polls show the gap between Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton widening, LaSalle Bank bracing for 2,500 layoffs, two Metra trains derail at the same South Side station this week, Edens repairs clogging alternative routes, the Cubs facing elimination against the Diamondbacks, and the reeling Bears head to Green Bay. Guests:

Phil Ponce guest hosts on 98.7 WFMT, Friday at 4:30 pm. Be sure to tune in for some musical surprises! Click here for live streaming video of Chicago City Council meetings (when in session) The Week in Review at 7pm

The Week in Review at 7pm The battle over the proposed Grant Park Children's Museum rages on, Governor Blagojevich betting on three new casinos to bail out the CTA, Aurora residents protest a new Planned Parenthood site, drivers brace for repairs on the Edens Expressway next week, Chicago gridlock the second worst in the nation, the Cubs playoff hopes coming down to the wire, and the Bears get ready for the Dallas Cowboys. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7 pm CTA doomsday cuts averted this week but the agency is ripped for last year's Blue Line derailment, a jury convicts all of the defendants in the Family Secrets mob trial, Rosemont betting on a casino again, the Chicago Reader and Daily Herald announce layoffs, the Cubs battling to stay in first-place, and the Bears gear up for the Kansas City Chiefs. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm Oprah Winfrey throwing a multi-million dollar fundraiser for Senator Obama, CTA funding derailed again, DePaul University fires a controversial professor, the new school year begins, Chicago cabbies demanding a 24% fare hike, the Cubs battling to stay in first-place, and the Bears open the season against the Chargers. Guests:

The Week in Review at 7pm The bad blood between Governor Blagojevich and Michael Madigan was boiling again this week, Mayor Daley holds a downtown rally for CTA funding, we'll take a closer look at the wild real estate market, a new study says a quarter of Illinoisans are obese, the Cubs battling to stay in first-place, and Bears rookie Greg Olsen injured in preseason loss to the Browns. Guests:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Severe weather rips though Illinois and wreaks havoc, former Governor George Ryan's appeal rejected, BP backs off of their Lake Michigan pollution plans, Governor Blagojevich finally approves the state budget, Mayor Daley wants city workers to take an unpaid day off, the Cubs claw their way into first-place, and Bears QB Rex Grossman trying to get a hold of his fumbling problem. Guests:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Governor Blagojevich does an end run around House Speaker Michael Madigan to fund healthcare, church immigrant Elvira Arellano heading to Washington, Congressman Hastert retiring while Congressman Gutierrez decides to run again, the Illinois tollway letting cheats off the hook, the CTA bracing for doomsday budget cuts, the Cubs sign pitching ace Carlos Zambrano to a 5-year, $91.5 million contract, and the Bears get ready for a Super Bowl rematch against the Colts. Guests:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Bruising budget battle in Springfield, Democratic presidential hopefuls spar at Soldier Field debate, Mayor Daley strikes a 10-year labor deal with unions, a police shooting sparks outrage in the Lawndale community, the CTA unveils a scaled-down doomsday scenario, and Cubs All-Star Alfonso Soriano injured. Guests: