Stories by WTTW News

Mayor Daley has been taking plenty of heat for his nephew's involvement in city employee pension investments. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look at the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between family and politics.

In our ongoing Chicago Matters series Beyond Burnham, we find out more about the debate concerning Chicago's soil and rubble reuse ordinance.

A new approach to cancer treatment has emerged that emphasizes treating the patient, not the disease. We hear from the President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on how this approach may change the course of cancer therapy for patients everywhere.

We visit an unusual bike shop in the Woodlawn neighborhood, where kids learn from -- and work with -- adult mechanics. And they can earn...a bike. Blackstone Bicycle Works

Hedy Weiss calls it "magic." Lookingglass Theater remounts "Arabian Nights," the show that put the company on the theater map more than a decade ago. She joins us with her full review of this show and two other productions. "Arabian Nights" "The Crowd You're in With" "A Minister's Wife"

Exactly who is accepted into the University of Illinois -- and who is not -- has created a firestorm of controversy in recent days. Carol Marin sits down with a representative from the university, a state lawmaker calling for resignations, and a Chicago Tribune journalist who helped break the story.

Reports say that control of the Tribune Company may be taken over by lenders. Will Sam Zell still be running the show? Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780's Noon Business Hour joins us with the details.

Two Chicago teenagers witness what is considered the "Super Bowl of rowing" and are inspired to reach for the stars. Christian Farr brings us the story of their journey to London in a follow-up to a story we brought you a year ago about the Chicago Training Center's unique rowing program.

Five Illinois residents, including two in Chicago, have died from the H1N1 flu virus. City public health officials are here to tell us what has changed about the virus in the last few months, and whether or not a vaccine is close.

We learn about the fine art of art restoration when we visit the headquarters of a major Chicago art conservator. The Chicago Conservation Center Zolla/Lieberman Gallery

We hear what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Chicago Alderman Isaac Carothers pleaded not guilty today to bribery and fraud charges. However, an admission of guilt could lie ahead, and Rich Samuels tells us why.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Mayor Daley put on the defensive again by Chicago's parking meter deal; Red-light camera ticket violations could cost $125 if Ald. Ed Burke has his way; Patti Blagojevich defends her husband on national TV in a Costa Rican jungle; slain Chicago police officer Alex Valadez caught in the crossfire of gang violence; Chicago cop Anthony Abbate guilty of aggravated battery for beating up a female bartender on video tape; the White Sox call up first-round draft pick Gordon Beckham; and Blues legend Koko Taylor dies.

State Rep. Deborah Mell sits down with Carol Marin and talks about the special challenges of being Rod Blagojevich's sister-in-law during her freshman year in the Illinois legislature.

Nearly 3 million additional people are expected in the region in the next three decades, and preparing for this increase is no easy task. The chairman of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning explains how the organization is planning for the region's future. Go to 2040

We hear your response to the city's parking meter mess when we read some of our viewer mail.

She was known as the "Queen of the Blues." Chicago's Koko Taylor died yesterday at the age of 80. We revisit Phil Ponce's 2007 interview with Taylor and hear some of her legendary music.

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on accusations against LAZ Parking, the operator of the city's meters, for not complying with the city's minority and women-owned business requirements.

The Chicago school of economics was developed at the University of Chicago in the 1950s, but now some are saying the "Chicago approach" is to blame for the economic collapse. It's the focus of tonight's edition of The Bottom Line.

We have a performance from some heavenly singers from a small South Side church. They recently won a national competition and were crowned "the best church choir in America." Acme Missionary Baptist Church Chicago Gospel Music Festival

The Sears Tower is getting a name change. Carol Marin sits down with the head of Willis Group Holdings, who plans to change the iconic building's name.

Lech Walesa helped loosen the communist grip on eastern Europe. We speak with the former President of Poland about Chicago, President Obama, and trade unions.

Patti Blagojevich is toughing it out in the rainforest of Costa Rica on NBC's reality show "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" We hear what she had to say about her husband on last night's show.

Chicago's Inspector General released a report on the city's parking meter lease today. The report claims that the parking meters were worth nearly twice the price -- almost $1 billion more -- than the amount for which they were sold. Rich Samuels goes inside the report and tells us what some angry aldermen had to say. Read the full report

Freshly indicted 29th Ward Alderman Isaac Carothers returned to City Hall today. Rich Samuels updates us on Chicago's latest public corruption scandal. Read the Carothers Indictment

There is no agreement in Springfield yet on how to make up a potential $12 billion budget shortfall, but some Republicans in the House have hinted they might support an income tax increase. Carol Marin and her panel of legislators have the latest on the ongoing budget negotiations.