Stories by WTTW News

We'll meet a fourth-generation herbal medicine doctor in Chinatown.

Chicago native and Grammy Award-winning rapper Rhymefest will perform in studio. elchethemovement.com Rhymefest on MySpace

The City of Chicago's projected 2011 budget contains the biggest shortfall ever, but Mayor Daley is already calling some fixes off-limits. So how will Chicago balance its budget?

The Blackhawks split with goalie Antti Niemi this week. Will the Stanley Cup champs have any chance of defending their title next year?

The city is buying and rehabbing foreclosed properties. Diane Eastabrook of the Chicago bureau of Nightly Business Report examines whether people will actually buy those properties in neighborhoods where foreclosure has become an epidemic.

We'll talk with the author of a new Chicago Magazine article about the friendship of a recovering alcoholic and fallen politician, Dan Rostenkowski.

Who needs pedaling when you can put a battery and motor on your bike? We'll show you why some Chicago bicyclists are choosing this exercise-free way of getting around. Chicago Electric Bicycles

We'll revisit the home and museum of Roger Brown, the Chicago artist who painted some dark subject matter with a light touch. Roger Brown Resources at SAIC New show at the Hyde Park Art Center

One of Chicago's marquee music festivals, Lollapalooza, is being investigated by the attorney general's office. Rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis are here with more on the controversy surrounding this weekend's giant music festival that provides huge revenues for the Chicago Park District. More about Lollapalooza Visit Greg Kot's website Visit Jim DeRogatis's website

She trailed President Clinton on his jogs, carted a defibrillator to more than 100 countries, and often rode in the Secret Service "decoy" limousine. We'll hear from Dr. Connie Mariano, who spent nine years as the White House physician. More about Dr. Mariano

And we'll dive into our mailbag and tell you a new name one viewer came up with for our program.

As the media is staked out and awaiting the Blagojevich jury's verdict, we'll hear from one of the reporters who's been in the courtroom every moment of the trial. Visit Susan Berger's blog

Longtime Chicago Alderman Helen Shiller is calling it quits after more than two decades on the City Council. Carol Marin will talk with Shiller about her career – and why she's leaving now. Visit the Chicago City Council website

It is the most valuable musical instrument on the planet, it's right here in Chicago, and it's for sale. We'll tell you how much it might go for.

On tonight's edition: the jury deliberates as the Blagojevich brothers wait. In politics, gubernatorial candidates Pat Quinn and Bill Brady spar over possible increases in real estate and income taxes. We take a closer look at a Chicago Sun-Times series on the toll of violence in Chicago, including the rising body count and the fact that communities are remaining silent. And in sports, baseball's trade deadline, the Blackhawks' money problems, and the red-hot White Sox. Guests:

What was Rod Blagojevich's life before he entered politics? We take an in-depth look at the former Governor's childhood, his college years, his entry into politics, and more when we re-visit Elizabeth Brackett's award-winning 2002 documentary about the life of Rod Blagojevich as we await the jury verdict in his corruption trial.

Shirley Sherrod's remarks set off a firestorm in Washington this month. A friend of the family, Rev. Jesse Jackson, chimes in on that controversy as well as his son's connection to the Blagojevich trial.

We have new revelations from the Chicago News Cooperative about the deal that privatized parking spaces in Chicago.

We have your thoughts on our coverage of the Blagojevich trial -- and our selection of guests -- when we read some of your viewer mail.

The jury has their instructions and the case is now officially in their hands. What were those instructions, and how long might the Blagojevich brothers wait for their verdict? Elizabeth Brackett reports. Read our Blagojevich blog

Carol Marin confers with a panel of very high-profile convicted former public officials. They give their insight into what former Governor Rod Blagojevich is going through, and how they think the government has handled this case.

This fall, a struggling South Side Catholic school will have a new president with a surprising resume: veteran Chicago sports journalist Dan McGrath. We'll find out what inspired the change, and what changes McGrath hopes to bring to Leo High School.

Local musician Sad Brad Smith tells us how the movie Up in the Air helped put him on the map, and performs his song from the film.

The case is about to be in the hands of the jury. Closing arguments finished today in the federal corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich, and the jury will begin deliberating tomorrow. Elizabeth Brackett was there for the defense's more-than-energetic finish -- she gives us all the fiery details.

Eddie Arruza and his panel weigh in on the prosecution and defense's closing arguments and the possible impact on the jurors.

Shrek's new swamp has landed in downtown Chicago. We meet the Carol Stream native who's playing the beloved ogre in the first national tour of Shrek the Musical. Eric Petersen's official site