Stories by WTTW News

Countdown to Miami The Chicago Bears say they are ready to bring a Super Bowl home to the Windy City. Christian Farr talked to the coach and his players about being the underdogs, and what it means to make it to the big game. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Forget the car, or we'll have you deported. That's the front page headline in today's Chicago Sun-Times. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at the precarious situation of illegal immigrants and the radio station that usually fights for them.

Lovie's Future Any truth to the speculation about the future of Bears coach Lovie Smith? Rich Samuels will be here with the latest from Halas Hall. News Analysis with Carol Marin In a cost-cutting move that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has called "unconscionable," board president Todd Stroger has called for the elimination of more than 300 sheriff's employees. Carol Marin will talk with Sheriff Dart. Click here to see every county employee's salary.

Olympic Dreams Chicago's Olympic committee unveils its plans to host the 2016 games. The temporary stadium has shrunk in size, but the estimated costs have risen. Christian Farr will talk about the changes and what they mean for the city.

Bears Alumni Club They proved the critics wrong and now the NFC Champion Bears are headed to the Super Bowl. Our panel of Bears experts talk about last night's stomping of the Saints. Plus, Elizabeth Brackett tells us what Lovie Smith had to say at today's Bears press conference. Guests: Emery Moorehead, Mike Adamle and Mike Mulligan

The Week in Review Senator Barack Obama forms a presidential exploratory committee, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger unveils his $3 billion budget, Donald Trump renegotiates discount condo deals here, Chicago "Dream Girl" Jennifer Hudson wins a Golden Globe, the popular Body Worlds exhibit returns to the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Bears just one win away from the Super Bowl. Guests:

Countdown to Miami It's only three days away. What do the Bears need to focus on to beat the Saints and make it to Super Bowl 41? We'll assess the Bears' chances with Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti. Manley Career Academy We'll hear the story of one extraordinary program at a Chicago public high school that is changing the way students see themselves and the world. It's the topic of a new documentary produced by our own Carol Marin. She'll join us to talk about it.

Tribune Company Auction Bids for the troubled Tribune Company were underwhelming as the auction process came to a close tonight. What does the future hold for the longtime media giant? Guest: Bob Reed

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Sen. Barack Obama took a giant step toward running for the White House today when he formed a presidential exploratory committee. Guests: David Axelrod, Bruce Dold, Laura Washington

Escape from Jail Elizabeth Brackett will have exclusive details of a Downers Grove businessman's escape from an Iraqi jail. The former Minister of Electricity had been held in an Iraqi jail on corruption charges. News Analysis with Carol Marin CTA president Frank Kruesi, Ald. Joe Moore and Ald. Ricardo Munoz join Carol Marin to talk about the CTA's current woes.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Chicago seeks federal expansion dollars for O'Hare, commuters brace for more Brown Line repairs, early primary proposed by House Speaker Michael Madigan, the Illinois Senate fails to override ComEd rate hike, and the Bears set to begin their Super Bowl march. Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Ald. Arenda Troutman, who was charged this week with bribery, spoke out this morning at the first Chicago City Council meeting of 2007. Rich Samuels brings us the highlights of her raucous press conference. In light of those allegations against Ald. Troutman, one question raised is, do Chicago's aldermen have too much power over what does or does not get built in their wards? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel will take a look. Guests: Tom Durkin, Jay Stewart, Chris Gair

News Analysis with Carol Marin Sen. Barack Obama is making waves with a topless Hawaiian beach photo. We'll talk to his political consultant, David Axelrod, about it and about Obama's likely run for the White House.

Cook County Budget Crisis More than half of Cook County's 26 health clinics could be closing. Rich Samuels has the latest on county board president Todd Stroger's efforts to close the budget gap.

Ald. Troutman Arrested There was news today of an alleged shakedown scheme by Chicago alderman Arenda Troutman. Rich Samuels was at federal court and brings us the latest. Read the Troutman complaint here.

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.