Stories by WTTW News

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman We'll gaze into our 2007 crystal ball. What lies ahead for the city and state in government, politics, business, the arts, and sports? Will it be a prosperous, scandalous, or problematic year? Tonight at 7:00 pm. Guests:

The Beetles are Back Wilmette is the latest community to do battle with the destructive Emerald Ash Borer beetle. The village is cutting down almost 3000 ash trees. Guests: Wilmette Village President Chris Canning, Clem Hamilton, Morton Arboretum New Illinois Laws A number of new laws in Illinois took effect on January 1st. Eddie Arruza will tell us what some of these laws are and how they may impact you.

Disaster Preparedness How prepared is Chicago for a major catastrophe or terrorist attack? A new federal report is at odds with the claims of city officials that we're ready. Eddie Arruza reports. News Analysis with Carol Marin 2006 was a year of uncertainties for Chicago's major newspapers. Are old-fashioned paper-and-ink dailies a thing of the past? And if not, how will they survive? Carol Marin and her panel will have a look. Guests: Jeremy Mullman, Rich Gordon, and Paula Hambrick

County Budget Crisis With a budget deficit of $500 million looming, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool announced his plan today for cutting the county's budget. His plan is in stark contrast to President Todd Stroger's plan for dealing with the deficit. Commissioner Claypool and Republican commissioner Peter Silvestri will give us more details on both plans.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman At 7:00 pm we present our special 2006 year-end edition of the Week in Review. It was a tough year for corrupt politicians, a banner year for Senator Barack Obama, a big year in business, a super year for the Bears, a year packed with news. Guests:

Remembering President Ford President Ford is often credited with helping to "heal" the country in the wake of Watergate. We'll look at some specific steps he took, including his appointment of a prominent Chicagoan. Guest: David Strauss

Tonight we take a special look back at some of our favorite musical guests of the past year. Back for an encore are Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy, popular jam band Umphrey's McGee, singer/songwriter Alice Peacock, gospel star Smokie Norful, jazz singer Kurt Elling, opera great Susan Graham, and '80s star Richard Marx.

Chicago Tonight is pre-empted for the holidays. We will return on Wednesday night at 7 pm.

Chicago Tonight is pre-empted for the holidays. We will return on Wednesday at 7 pm.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Travelers brace for holiday traffic, Mayor Daley reportedly supporting a potential presidential run by Senator Barack Obama, Congressman Jackson's wife, Sandi, officially running for alderman, holiday sales slower than expected, and the Bears sticking by Tank Johnson. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The CTA has had a slew of problems this year, including this week's derailment in the South Loop. Elizabeth Brackett goes one-on-one with Frank Kruesi, president of the CTA, to find out what's being done to make things better.

News Analysis with Carol Marin William "Dock" Walls and Dorothy Brown both hope to unseat Mayor Daley in the coming election. Carol Marin sits down with both of them tonight in our studios. From the Vault It was 30 years ago today that Mayor Richard J. Daley died, ending an era in Chicago politics. We'll go to our WTTW Vault and re-live Channel 11's coverage of that day.

Alsammarae Update The Oak Brook businessman who escaped from an Iraqi jail has told our Elizabeth Brackett he is safe and out of the reach of the Iraqis. Aiham Alsammarae was convicted and then cleared of corruption charges relating to his term as Minister of Electricity in Iraq. But he was still being held in a Baghdad jail facing additional corruption charges when he was spirited away by what Iraqi officials say was an American security company. Elizabeth Brackett will have the details.

Daley Challengers Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown made her Chicago mayoral candidacy official today. And Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s wife Sandi says she wants to be the 7th Ward alderman. Rich Samuels has the latest on the lineups for the February municipal elections.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Mayor Daley running again, Senator Barack Obama in New Hampshire, United Airlines talks merger with Continental, Macy's reaching out to lost Marshall Field's customers, Evanston High School parents outraged over activity fees, and the Bears Tank Johnson facing gun charges. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Overspending. Underfunding. Calls for resignation of the chief. What is in store for Chicago's CTA? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the issues surrounding this vital Chicago service. Guests: Greg Hinz, Scott Smith, Jackie Leavy "Pursuit of Happyness" The inspiring life story of Chicagoan Chris Gardner has been made into a major motion picture starring Will Smith. We'll revisit our July interview with this once-homeless single father-turned-millionaire businessman.

City Council Debrief The three new aldermen appointed by Mayor Daley to the Chicago City ouncil took their seats today. Rich Samuels has the latest on the last council meeting of the year and the upcoming municipal elections. News Analysis with Carol Marin His mother was a Kennedy, his father a member of the rat pack. But Christopher Kennedy Lawford became a drug addict. He'll share his story with Carol Marin tonight.

Mayor Daley Elizabeth Brackett sits down for a one-on-one interview with Mayor Daley, who yesterday announced that he will seek his sixth term in office. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Last Friday's tragic downtown shooting was over an invention. Eddie Arruza talks to an inventor about the sometimes frustrating process of bringing an idea to life. Guests: Jeff Ward, Tim Holbrook

Mayor Running Again Mayor Daley made it official today: He's running for a sixth term. Rich Samuels reports on the mayor's announcement and the reaction of his challengers. Click here for updated lists of candidates filing for the February 27, 2007 election.

The Week in Review The Blagojevich family feud apparently over, Todd Stroger takes the helm at the County Board, Bill Cosby tells black parents here to step up, a new report says Illinois is headed for financial disaster, calls to dump Rex Grossman grow, and the Cubs and Sox acquire new pitchers. Guests:

War Against Trans Fats Trans fats - they fry your food and clog your arteries. New York City has banned them. Will Chicago follow suit? We'll learn more from leading nutritionist Dave Grotto of the American Dietetic Association. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The state's debt total is so high that if it were assigned to individuals, every Illinois resident would owe almost $9,000. It's a situation that Chicago's Commercial Club says has to change. Elizabeth Brackett talks with state budget director John Filan.

Cosby on Education Comedian and education activist Bill Cosby brings a powerful message to Chicago and also fires back at his critics. He wants parents to take more responsibility in raising their children, and those in attendance want to make sure Cosby's message doesn't fall on deaf ears. Christian Farr will have the story.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza In the final installment in our Chicago Matters series on Illinois education funding, Eddie Arruza and his panel look at how school financing became a major campaign issue this year and whether public schools can expect any meaningful reform in the near future. Guests: Linda Lenz, Terry Mazany

President Todd Stroger Todd Stroger was sworn in this morning as president of the Cook County Board. Rich Samuels has the details. News Analysis with Carol Marin Retiring Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan took time out of his last day in office to file a $189,000-lawsuit against his employer, Cook County. Carol Marin sits down with the sheriff to askhim about this and about his 16 years in office.

The Week in Review Former Governor George Ryan free on bond, retiring County Board President Bobbie Steele doubles her pension, lawmakers busy in Springfield, retailers hoping for a bountiful shopping season, the Bears prepare for the Vikings, and the Bulls headband controversy. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Illinois once again ranks as one of the deadliest states when it comes to drunk driving fatalities on our roadways, according to a report released today. Eddie Arruza and his panelists look at what it will take to improve those numbers. President Jimmy Carter We'll preview John Callaway's "Friday Night" conversation with former President Jimmy Carter.