Stories by WTTW News

Olympics in Chicago? The U.S. Olympic Committee made it official today, submitting Chicago as its choice to host the 2016 Olympics. Rich Samuels has details on the city's marathon quest to bring the games back to the U.S. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Lawmakers are weighing a mass transit bill in Springfield. Will the CTA, Metra and Pace finally get the funding they've been pleading for? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel have the latest. Guests: George Ranney, Joe Ryan, John Norquist

The Week in Review at 7pm The bad blood between Governor Blagojevich and Michael Madigan was boiling again this week, Mayor Daley holds a downtown rally for CTA funding, we'll take a closer look at the wild real estate market, a new study says a quarter of Illinoisans are obese, the Cubs battling to stay in first-place, and Bears rookie Greg Olsen injured in preseason loss to the Browns. Guests:

Governor's Health Plan Governor Blagojevich began his promised expansion of health-care coverage today — without legislative approval. Rich Samuels has the details.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Time is running out for public transit in Chicago. Can state legislators agree on a new funding plan to keep the CTA from going through with its doomsday warnings? Eddie Arruza and his panel look at where we stand on a bail-out of our area's embattled transit system. Guests: Kevin O'Neil, State Rep. Julie Hamos, State Rep. Brent Hassert, John Filan Remembering Florence Scala Florence Scala died yesterday at the age of 88. Rich Samuels look back at one one of Chicago's greatest community activists.

Gun Shop Protest Rev. Michael Pfleger and Rev. Jesse Jackson marched on a suburban weapons manufacturer today. Rich Samuels brings us both sides of that story. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The ongoing feud between Governor Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan escalated today. Blagojevich is suing Madigan over special budget sessions. Eddie Arruza and his panel have the latest.

Gonzales Resigns Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned today. We'll talk with constitutional scholar Robert Bennett about the circumstances surrounding the justice department.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Severe weather rips though Illinois and wreaks havoc, former Governor George Ryan's appeal rejected, BP backs off of their Lake Michigan pollution plans, Governor Blagojevich finally approves the state budget, Mayor Daley wants city workers to take an unpaid day off, the Cubs claw their way into first-place, and Bears QB Rex Grossman trying to get a hold of his fumbling problem. Guests:

Budget Approved? Governor Blagojevich today made good on his promise of last week by cutting almost half a billion dollars out of the budget approved by the Illinois General Assembly. Rich Samuels has the latest chapter in the state budget saga. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Is BP crying uncle? The oil and gas company announced today that they will not dump more waste into Lake Michigan. But is it enough to satisfy environmentalists? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look.

Ryan Appeal Former governor Jim Thompson was back in court today on behalf of former governor George Ryan. Rich Samuels brings us the latest from the federal building. News Analysis with Carol Marin The nation's credit crunch is affecting everything from home foreclosures in Illinois to the Chicago Tribune's credit rating. Carol Marin and her panel take a look at the local news making headlines in the business world. Guests: Michael Arndt, Robert Stein

George Ryan Appeal Rejected It was a roller coaster of a day for former Illinois Governor George Ryan as a federal appeals court upheld his conviction on corruption charges and ordered him to prison. Later in the day the court said he could stay out of jail pending another appeal. Eddie Arruza reports on the defense strategy. Then Elizabeth Brackett and her panel analyze today's ruling and why a dissenting opinion could be Ryan's last hope. Guests: Greg Hinz, Diantha Parker, Jeff Stone, Zach Fardon

Weather Watch From heavy rains and flooding in our area to a rare category five hurricane ripping through the Caribbean, August has turned out to be a wild weather month. Eddie Arruza tells us what Chicago's premier meteorologist makes of it all.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Governor Blagojevich does an end run around House Speaker Michael Madigan to fund healthcare, church immigrant Elvira Arellano heading to Washington, Congressman Hastert retiring while Congressman Gutierrez decides to run again, the Illinois tollway letting cheats off the hook, the CTA bracing for doomsday budget cuts, the Cubs sign pitching ace Carlos Zambrano to a 5-year, $91.5 million contract, and the Bears get ready for a Super Bowl rematch against the Colts. Guests:

Wild Ride on the Dow Volatility was the word of the day on Wall Street. The Dow dropped more than 300 points and then bounced back. We'll examine what happened. Guest: Jack Ablin, Harris Bank News Analysis with Eddie Arruza It's been reported that the numerous itchy bites that area residents have been getting are due to mites. But no actual cause of the outbreak has been identified. Eddie Arruza will be joined by Dr. Linda Murray with more details.

BP Controversy The EPA stands by the BP permit to dump more pollution into Lake Michigan. And BP says it will consider new technology to reduce pollution. But will that satisfy environmentalists? Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Mayor Daley appointed a new Chief Environmental Officer today. Elizabeth Brackett finds out what Sadhu Johnston's grand (and green) vision for Chicago is. Black Harvest Film Festival The 13th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival runs all this month. The festival's director joins us for a preview of some of the films sparking the most conversation, and this year's line-up of Chicago-based films.

Budget Woes Continue The state budget is finally in the hands of the governor. The question now is, will he sign it or veto it? We'll get the latest budget news with a live report from Sun-Times reporter Dave McKinney in Springfield. News Analysis with Carol Marin The "family secrets" mob trial shifts to the defense today. Joey "the Clown" Lombardo's attorney claims his client is a "hustler not a gangster." Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins and law professor Len Cavise join Carol Marin.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Bruising budget battle in Springfield, Democratic presidential hopefuls spar at Soldier Field debate, Mayor Daley strikes a 10-year labor deal with unions, a police shooting sparks outrage in the Lawndale community, the CTA unveils a scaled-down doomsday scenario, and Cubs All-Star Alfonso Soriano injured. Guests:

Budget Impasse AFSCME, the union representing thousands of state employees, is suing the state for workers' paychecks. Rich Samuels has the latest on the budget crisis.

State Budget Impasse Continues As the 10-week-old budget stalemate continues in Springfield, voter discontent is on the rise. Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn joins us to talk about a resolution introduced Monday to institute recall elections here in Illinois. We'll also hear how CTA president Ron Huberman and AFSCME's Roberta Lynch are dealing with the prolonged budget impasse and find out how their worst-case scenarios could affect you.

Daley's Deal with Unions On a hot day Mayor Daley announced a cool deal with 33 labor unions doing business with Chicago. Rich Samuels brings us up to date. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The federal government says Chicago-area coal-fired power plants are breaking the rules and putting too much pollution into the air. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the environmental and health consequences to the city. Guests: Ann Alexander, Joel Africk

State Budget Impasse Governor Blagojevich and Dan Hynes disagree whether paychecks will be sent out if no budget is in place by Wednesday. Rich Samuels tells us why the governor and state comptroller are at odds. Then Carol Marin and her panel assess the odds of the governor and legislators reaching a budget compromise before a government shutdown. Guests: Jim Tobin, Laurence Msall, Ralph Martire

BP Boycott Outraged over BP's plans to dump pollutants into Lake Michigan, Ald. Edward Burke is calling for a city government and consumer boycott of the giant oil company. Elizabeth Brackett will have details.

Mayor Daley Round-Up Mayor Daley delivered an impassioned plea to BP Amoco today and chided the SunTimes for trying to pit him against the Rev. Al Sharpton. Rich Samuels shows us Chicago's mayor at the height of his eloquence. News Analysis with Carol Marin Rev. Al Sharpton and Jeri Wright, the head of his new local office, join Carol Marin to talk about their new civil rights mission in Chicago.

Cook County Round-Up From the county building today come strong hints of a tax increase next year. Rich Samuels has the latest on that, and on allegations of racism in the Cook County State's Attorney's office. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Mayor Daley's announcement about a $200 million city budget shortfall caught some by surprise. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel of aldermen take a look at what the shortfall might mean for city residents. Guests: Ald. Bernard Stone, Ald. Howard Brookins, Ald. George Cardenas

Mayors Against BP Dumping Congressman Mark Kirk gathered North Shore mayors together today to again blast BP's plan to dump industrial waste into Lake Michigan. Is BP's plan safe, as the EPA claims? Or should the dumping be prohibited? Elizabeth Brackett reports.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Congressmen bash BP's Lake Michigan pollution plans, Democrats continue to bicker over the state budget in Springfield, presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton trade punches over diplomacy, the sinking real estate market depressing sellers, the 'Chicago Reader' is sold, the Cubs closing fast on the Brewers, and the Bears open training camp. Guests: