Stories by WTTW News

Chicago Week in Review premiered on January 20, 1978. For 35 years, host Joel Weisman and his panel of guest journalists have taken WTTW viewers behind the headlines of the top stories of the week. Politics, of course, has always been a staple of the show. Here we have collected some programs broadcast around key political events of the past 35 years, along with a few others.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

In this web extra edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Joel Weisman turns the tables and lets his guests ask him questions.

Need some ideas for what to do this weekend? Chicago Tonight knows what is going on!

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is exploring privatizing Midway Airport. We have the chair of his advisory panel here to explain this potential partnership.

Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te'o's internet girlfriend is revealed to be an elaborate prank. We have more on how fake online personas are created.

A new energy law is changing how homeowners live in Illinois. Our expert panel tells us what this law means – and debates its pros and cons.

He's been bringing you the "Week in Review" for 35 years. We celebrate and reminisce with Joel Weisman about this historic milestone. Visit THE WEEK IN REVIEW: 35TH ANNIVERSARY to watch vintage "Week In Review" shows from the past 35 years.

Artists look at the environment and create beauty out of uncertainty. We get a preview of a local exhibit.

A message to those interested and qualified in being appointed 7th ward alderman: the mayor will start accepting applications online next week.

Joel Weisman talks with John Callaway in this 1974 audition tape produced prior to Weisman being hired to work on WTTW’s Public News Center.

In this special edition of Chicago Week in Review, Joel Weisman and his guests discuss Jane Byrne’s shocking victory over incumbent Mayor Michael Bilandic in the Democratic mayoral primary.

David Axelrod, architect of President Obama’s election victories, then a Chicago Tribune reporter, is among the guests in this discussion of city, county and state politics, as is Chicago Tonight’s Carol Marin.

Harold Washington beats Mayor Jane Byrne and Richard M. Daley in the Democratic primary for mayor.

Harold Washington becomes Chicago’s first African-American mayor by beating Republican Bernard Epton in the general election.

Mayor Harold Washington dies, leaving a lasting legacy and creating at least temporary chaos as various factions line up to back possible replacements.

National star of the Republican Party, Joe Walsh, joins us to talk about the state of the GOP in Illinois, and what's next on his agenda.

This special edition of Chicago Week in Review recounts some of the most memorable stories and guests from the first two decades of the program.

The Bears hire Marc Trestman as new head coach. James “Big Cat” William shares his thoughts on the decision. 

James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his updated Super Bowl picks, now that the Seattle Seahawks have been eliminated.

Problems escalate for Boeing as Japan grounds its entire 787 Dreamliner fleet. Kris Kridel of WBBM Newsradio 780 and 105.9FM has that story, and more top business headlines.

Less than a year after leaving office, former Gov. George Ryan is arrested and charged with corruption.

How does the CTA keep its trains and buses operating on time? How prepared is it for a major incident like a terrorist attack? We get a rare look inside the transit system's high-tech nerve center.

Lands' End founder Gary Comer dedicated much of his life to revitalizing his childhood home: Pocket Town, in Greater Grand Crossing. How much good has his $86 million (and counting) done? Chicago magazine editor Elly Fishman joins us with the story.

We learn winter gardening tips, and why now is the best time to look for signs of the Emerald Ash Borer, from Chicago Botanic Garden's Eliza Fournier.

The historic election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.