Stories by WTTW News

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The impeachment committee continued their work today in Springfield hearing extensively from Governor Rod Blagojevich's attorney, Ed Genson. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with former Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine, the Better Government Association Executive Director, Jay Stewart and Roosevelt University's Paul Green to discuss the latest developments.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The Obama team released the results of its own internal investigation into conversations and discussions his administration officials had with Gov. Blagojevich. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the report. View Clip Chicago Matters: Growing Forward Rich Samuels looks at the prairie restoration work being done in the Nachusa Grasslands.

Governor's Scandal Rich Samuels has the latest on the governor and the Illinois House's impeachment investigation. View Clip News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Elizabeth Brackett sits down with one of the architects of President-elect Barack Obama's historic run for president, David Axelrod. View Clip

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 PM Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Governor Blagojevich vows to fight corruption charges; Chicago Public Schools chief Arne Duncan joins the Obama cabinet; Motorola freezing employee pensions; holiday retail sales as cool as the temperature; mortgage rates at historic lows; the young Blackhawks red-hot; and the Bears battle Packers on Monday night. Guests:

Fed Rate Cuts With the Fed effectively cutting the short-term interest rate to zero, what does it mean for your finances? Will it be cheaper and easier to buy a new home or refinance the one you are in? WCIU's "First Business " host Tom Hudson has some sobering answers. View Clip

City Snow Removal Snow removal was a hot topic at today's city council meeting. Rich Samuels has the latest on the city's debate over clearing snow. View Clip Impeachment Proceedings The governor's attorney addressed the the Illinois House impeachment committee as it continued proceedings today. Carol Marin reports live from Springfield with House Minority Leader Tom Cross.

City Driving Do city streets seem a bit more treacherous this winter? Ald. Tom Allen thinks so and says residents in his ward are livid. He tells us how the city should restore recent cutbacks it made to snow removal service. View Clip Blagojevich Corruption Scandal Rich Samuels reports on the latest developments with the governor. View Clip

Special Session in Springfield Carol Marin is live from Springfield with the latest from the first day of the landmark special legislative session. View Clip News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Elizabeth Brackett sits down for a one-on-one with Abner Mikva. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan appointed him special assistant attorney general for the Illinois Supreme Court case she filed against the Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 PM

Back to Work for Blagojevich The governor reported for another day of work as calls for his resignation and impeachment intensified. Rich Samuels has the latest on the scandal and what the president-elect had to say about him. View Clip News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Impeaching Governor Blagojevich may not be as imminent as some may hope. Eddie Arruza and his panel of state legislators tell us why.

The Charges Against the Governor We continue our coverage of the corruption charges against the governor. Read the criminal complaint against Governor Blagojevich. Back to Work The governor headed back to work this morning as politicians from around the state and country, including the president-elect, called for his resignation. Rich Samuels takes us through the governor's day.

Blagojevich, Chief of Staff Arrested Governor Rod Blagojevich arrested by the FBI — among the allegations: that he tried to sell Barack Obama's senate seat. We spend the hour looking at the downfall of the self-proclaimed reformer.

Republic Windows & Doors Laid-off workers from Republic Window & Doors continue their sit-in as union leaders, Bank of America representatives and company representatives meet. Rich Samuels has the latest details. Bank of America Statement Regarding Republic Windows and Doors View Clip

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review at 7 PM We take a look at the week's top headlines: Governor Blagojevich taped by the feds; Senator Durbin asks for an early prison release for former Governor George Ryan; Mayor Daley leases Chicago's parking meters; retailers report their worst November sales numbers since 1969; 15 cops busted in an FBI sting; and the Bears fighting for their playoff lives. View Clip Guests:

Voter Trends The final canvas has now been done by the Chicago Board of Elections. Elizabeth Brackett discusses some of the voter trends in the historic election. View Clip

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SOME OF TONIGHT'S STORIES: Everyday Survival Straight No Chaser Parking Meter Lease Mayor Daley's proposed parking meter lease deal could set a speed record as it races through the city council. Rich Samuels tells us why some aldermen are having misgivings. And Carol Marin and her guest explore the possible pitfalls of the mayor's creative financing.

Leasing Parking Meters Chicago's leasing its parking meters for $1.1 billion. Rich Samuels tells us how the meter deal will nickel and dime you. View Clip News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The quest to grant former Governor George Ryan a pardon has drawn plenty of criticism. Elizabeth Brackett sits down with the man who prosecuted Ryan and the head of the Illinois Republican party.

Trouble on Wall Street The Dow Jones industrial average dropped nearly 700 points today despite positive Christmas shopping news. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 helps us understand the forces at work. View Clip

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 PM The day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the opening of the holiday shopping season. This week on a special edition of the Week in Review, Joel and a panel of Chicago's top business reporters take a closer look at a retail season that promises to be challenging. Will Black Friday be awash in red ink? And just how much of an impact will layoffs, cutbacks and recession have on the bottom line? Guests:

Should Former Governor Ryan Be Freed From Prison? Should President George W. Bush commute the prison sentence of former Governor George Ryan? Rich Samuels brings us up to date on a growing controversy. View Clip

County Budget Cook County President Todd Stroger introduced his 2009 budget to county commissioners today. While he doesn't plan to raise taxes, he is asking commissioners to approve a pretty big loan to keep the county running. Christian Farr explains why some commissioners are concerned with that part of the budget. View Clip

Obama's Economic Plans President-elect Barack Obama says his new economic team will hit the ground running given the extraordinary stresses the economy faces. Obama unveiled his team at a Chicago press conference this morning, though the names had been circulating for days. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. View Clip

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 PM

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The Dow closed down 444 points today amidst job worries and auto industry uncertainties. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at this crisis of confidence and where things might go from here. Crate & Barrel Co-Founder Gordon Segal Mayor Daley says top area CEO's are warning of mass layoffs in the coming months, and new reports indicate the nationwide jobless rate is at a 16-year high. We get insight from a top former Chicago CEO about what's happening in the private sector.

City Budget Only one alderman voted against Mayor Daley's hard-times budget today. Rich Samuels tells us why and how many layoffs it will take to balance next year's spending plan. View Clip News Analysis with Carol Marin Why is the state 90 days behind on paying its bills with concerns that the backlog could grow even larger? Carol Marin will talk with Comptroller Dan Hynes for answers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SOME OF TONIGHT'S STORIES: