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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.

News Analysis with Carol Marin In a rare move, the 7th Circuit Appeals Court granted George Ryan bail. That means he will remain free pending his appeal. Plus, a decision is expected today on the fate of his $197,000-per-year pension. Guest: Terry Sullivan Andy Rooney We talk one-on-one with the legendary "60 Minutes" commentator, Andy Rooney. His new book is called "Out of My Mind."

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Former Senator and Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards was at Chicago's Harold Washington Library today. Elizabeth Brackett sat down with him to talk about his political future. Classic Chicago Commercials What do portable TVs, Black Tie cologne and Bobby Hull have in common? They were all featured in Chicago television commercials. We'll see those and many more from the collection of film archivist J. Fred MacDonald.

News Analysis with Carol Marin It looks like Bobbie Steele will be stepping down and "offering" one of her children to replace her as a Cook County board commissioner. We'll ask Commissioner Forrest Claypool what he thinks of this and the pension pay raise Steele will be getting along the way. Bears Alumni Club The Bears blow their last chance to win yesterday's game. We'll talk about the second loss of the season with Super Bowl Bear Gary Fencik on tonight's Bears Alumni Club.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman The day after Thanksgiving means one thing, it's officially shopping season and a good time to take the temperature of Chicago's economy. Guests:

Chicago Tonight has the night off and will return on Friday with The Week In Review and Friday Night with John Callaway. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Actor Michael Richards loses it on stage during what was supposed to be a comedy routine. Will his racist rant impact Chicago's comedy scene? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at a story making local and national headlines. Chicago: The New Epicurean Epicenter Fine dining in Chicago is getting lots of national buzz. We'll be joined by three of the hottest young chefs in the Chicago area to talk about what this new generation has to offer.

1-on-1 with Rahm Emanuel Illinois Congressman Rahm Emanuel is credited for the Democratic sweep of Congress. We'll chat with him about the political process, the priorities, and the press. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett What do Chinese business people know about Chicago? Not as much as some local civic and business leaders would like. We'll hear what might be done to market Chicago in China.

News Analysis In 1994, Newt Gingrich led a Republican revolution in Washington. Tonight, we'll talk with him about the recent Democratic victory, the upcoming presidential race, and his own ambitions for the White House. Senator Barack Obama today laid out his strategy for Iraq. He calls for a gradual and substantial reduction of troops. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel talk about what else he said and whether or not his plans are viable.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Lawmakers back in Springfield, Chicago's Olympic chances improving, Cook County budget woes, Dan Ryan rehab ahead of schedule, a school play about the mob sparks a lawsuit, the Bears ready to ground the Jets, and the Bulls put on the road by the circus. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Milton Friedman, the legendary Nobel Prize-winning Chicago economist, died today at age 94. Eddie Arruza and his panel will look at the legacy of one of the world's most influential economists. Guests: Sam Peltzman, Leo Melamed and Joseph Bast

News Analysis with Carol Marin Judy Baar Topinka not only lost her bid for governor, the Republican party also lost its only constitutional officer seat in the state. In the wake of the Democratic sweep, what is the state of the state's Republican party? Carol Marin and her panel look at the future for the Illinois GOP. Guests: State Representative Brent Hassert, Paul Caprio, Greg Baise

Medicare Senior Hotline Medicare Part D Open Enrollment begins Wednesday November 15. For assistance or eligibility information, seniors can call the state's Senior Hotline at 1-800-252-8966. News Analysis with Christian Farr Chicago's Olympic dreams got a big boost when San Francisco dropped out of the competition this week. Christian Farr and his panel weigh in on Chicago's chances. Guests: Marc Ganis, Philip Hersh