Stories by WTTW News

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Former Illinois governor George Ryan could be in prison within two weeks, after losing his appeal today. But the Court of Appeals decision was far from unanimous. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at whether the disgraced ex-governor has any options left. Guests: Michael Monico, former federal prosecutor; Gil Soffer, former federal prosecutor; Zach Fardon, former First Assistant U.S. Attorney; and Len Cavise, DePaul University

Transit Update Legislative leaders unveiled the latest plan to fund mass transit. Rich Samuels has details that could include modest fare increases.

Political Update Governor Blagojevich says that a new, permanent source of funding for mass transit is in the works. Rich Samuels was with the governor today and tells us about that.

News Analysis with Carol Marin The private security company in charge of Chicago's two water filtration plants was just fired after guards were found sleeping on the job. Carol Marin and her panel look at what's being done to safeguard our drinking water and how susceptible Chicago is to a terrorist attack. Guests: Tom Mockaitis and Matthew Lipman.

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:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Yesterday Cook County Board President Todd Stroger announced some controversial tax hikes, including tripling your sales tax and paying more at the pump and parking garages. Is there another way to fund county government? Eddie Arruza talks one-on-one with President Stroger.

American Art American City: Alfred Jurgens

More Cook County Tax Hikes? Higher taxes and an expanded payroll highlight the proposed 2008 Cook County budget presented today by President Todd Stroger. Rich Samuels brings us up to date on a document that's already generating controversy.

Cook County Budget Crisis A blue ribbon panel today said it's urgent that an independent commission take control of the Cook County health care system. Rich Samuels tells us why and brings us reaction from county board members. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Taxpayers are up in arms over Mayor Daley's proposed $293 million budget increase in taxes, fees and fines. We'll hear what aldermen have to say about the controversial proposal. Guests: Ald. Joe Moore, Ald. George Cardenas, Ald. Manny Flores, Ald. Helen Shiller

Chicago Nobel Prize Winner Another Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to a University of Chicago professor today. Rich Samuels introduces us to Roger Myerson, who believes that abstract economic theory can lead to better American foreign policy.

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:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Is raising taxes the only way out of Chicago's latest budget shortfall, as Mayor Daley says? Why is the city increasing spending by $700 million? And what's it going toward? Eddie Arruza and his panel look at the mayor's 2008 tax-and-spend plan. Guests: Laurence Msall, Civic Federation; Ben Joravsky, Chicago Reader; Paula Worthington, University of Chicago

CTA Doomsday CTA president Ron Huberman today predicted the worst is yet to come for mass transit riders. Rich Samuels tells us about the agency's dire predictions for next year. News Analysis with Christian Farr If Mayor Daley has his way, you'll be paying more for practically everything. Christian Farr and his panel take a look at the mayor's massive tax hike proposal. Guests: Bennett Johnson III, City of Chicago Budget Director; Ald. Ricardo Munoz; Ald. Joe Moore

Mayor Daley on Marathon Mess Mayor Daley weighed in today on Sunday's controversial marathon. Will it affect Chicago's Olympic bid? Rich Samuels has details. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Illinois senior senator and majority whip Dick Durbin sits down with Eddie Arruza. We'll talk about Sen. Hillary Clinton's recent surge in the polls and other hot topics.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Too hot? Not enough water? Yesterday's Chicago Marathon was the hottest on record. Should organizers have done more to prepare for the situation? Could they have done more? Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look. Guests: Carey Pinkowski, Chicago Marathon's Executive Race Director; Jim Spivey, three-time Olympic distance runner

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:

Cubs-Diamondbacks Showdown The Cubs are down, but are they on their way out? We'll preview game two of the Cubs playoff series with former Cub great Randy Hundley.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza With the Cubs on a winning streak and just seven games away from the World Series, are there economic implications for the city? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look. Guests: Marc Ganis, Allen Sanderson Chef Grant Achatz Christian Farr goes one-on-one with Grant Achatz, the owner and head chef of the gourmet Lincoln Park restaurant Alinea, about his fight to overcome tongue cancer.

Chicago Tax Hikes? Mayor Daley is zeroing in on tax and fee hikes for Chicagoans. Rich Samuels tells us where the increases may come. News Analysis with Christian Farr Cell phone giant Nokia just bought NAVTEQ, a Chicago-based digital mapping company, for more than $8 billion. Christian Farr and his panel look at what the mega-deal means to the average cell phone user. Guests: Roger Crockett, Eric Benderoff

Sales Tax Hike? Is Chicago about to have the highest sales tax in the nation? The Cook County board took up the issue today. Rich Samuels tells us what happened. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The Chicago Cubs are on their way to Arizona in hopes of advancing in the playoffs. The team clinched the National League Central championship this weekend. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel size up the team and their chances. Guests: John McDonough, Cubs president; Lester Munson, ESPN; Randy Hundley, former Cubs star

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

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) News Analysis with Eddie Arruza

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett What will happen to your property tax bills over the next three years? That depends on what choices legislators make in Springfield next week. The Cook County assessor tells us why he thinks his plan is the best deal for taxpayers. Guests: James Houlihan, Doug Whitley

Presidential Candidates in Town The leading Democratic candidates for president were in town today. Christian Farr tells us who they were trying to impress. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett GM workers are on strike for the first time since 1970. Union officials say workers' jobs and benefits must be protected. What impact will the strike have on the Chicago area's economy? Guests: Robert Bruno, David Moberg, Bob Reed

Cubs Fever Cubs fever is gripping Chicago. We'll hear from Cubs president John McDonough who sat down with Phil Ponce today at Wrigley Field. News Analysis with Christian Farr The so-called "Jena 6" of Jena, Louisiana, have sparked debates across the country about the lingering inequalities of race. But does hate crime legislation help or hurt the cause? Christian Farr and his panel take a closer look. Guests: Laura Washington, Ralph Conner

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: