Stories by WTTW News

Rezko Trial Update Rich Samuels has the latest from the corruption trial of top political fundraiser Tony Rezko. View Clip News Analysis with Carol Marin Another Chicago Public School student was killed over the weekend as a result of gun violence. That's the 20th student killed violently since the beginning of the school year. Carol Marin talks to a panel of people who are on the front lines of finding a solution to this problem.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to butt heads on the campaign trail, American and Delta Airlines ground hundreds of planes for hasty inspections, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger's cousin lands a hefty pay hike, beleaguered Motorola splitting into two separate companies, the local housing market remains in a deep freeze, the Cubs and Sox open a brand new season, and the woeful Bulls hike ticket prices. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza A report says Mayor Daley may now have enough aldermen on his side to move the Chicago Children's Museum to Grant Park. But opponents say if that's so, they'll fight it in court. Eddie Arruza talks to the president of the museum and the alderman leading the opposition.

Stateville Shutdown Governor Rod Blagojevich wants to close the maximum security prison at Stateville near Joliet. Rich Samuels tells us where the prisoners would go and why the plan is controversial. View Clip

Capital Funding State Rep. Julie Hamos says a capital spending plan should be on the front lesiglative burner. She says the time may have arrived for the "inmates to take over the asylum" to get it passed. Rich Samuels has details. View Clip News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Home sales are on the rise here and nationwide. Is the frigid real estate market finally thawing out? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look.

Iraq Milestone Chicagoans reflect on the 4000th U.S. military death in Iraq. Rich Samuels has details. View Clip Go to 2040 An estimated 2.8 million people will move to the northeast region of Illinois over the next 30 years. One agency is launching a new campaign, "Go to 2040," to develop a plan for how the region can accommodate this growth.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 pm Governor Blagojevich a popular figure at the Tony Rezko trial, the hot button issue of race was front and center in the presidential campaign again this week, 20 Chicago Public School students murdered already this school year, and Opening Day right around the corner. Guests:

Rezko Trial Update Rich Samuels brings us the latest from the corruption trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko. View Clip News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The debate over a mandatory "moment of silence" in schools took a different turn yesterday after a federal judge ruled the suit be expanded into a class action lawsuit including all students in the state. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look at what this means.

Rezko Trial Update The government's star witness in the trial of Tony Rezko returned to the stand today. Rich Samuels tells us what Stuart Levine had to say about his relationship with Governor Rod Blagojevich. View Clip News Analysis with Carol Marin Senator Barack Obama's impassioned speech in Philadelphia yesterday took on the issue of race. Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look at the speech and the concerns he raised.

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The stock market has been on a roller coaster ride lately. Today the Federal Reserve hoped to calm queasy investors after slashing interest rates three quarters of a percent. Eddie Arruza and his panel weigh in on the latest economic news. View Clip

Local Politics Update Governor Blagojevich ducked reporters questions about Tony Rezko today. And state legislators say it's time to make it more difficult for county commissioners to raise taxes. Rich Samuels has details.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 pm Chicago's new police chief replaces 21 of 25 district commanders, details of Tony Rezko's heavy clout with the Blagojevich administration exposed in court this week, charges of racism in the presidential campaign, ComEd hiking rates again, Chicago wants to give cabbies a gasoline surcharge, the Cubs and Sox season openers just 17 days away, and player mutiny on the Bulls. Guests:

Rezko Corruption Trial Elizabeth Brackett has the latest from the corruption trial of Tony Rezko, former top fundraiser for Governor Blagojevich. View Clip Pilobolus Pilobolus Dance Theatre has earned a reputation as a dance company for people who don't like dance. We speak with the Chicago area dancer who performs around the world with the company of choreographers and dancer-athletes.

Presidential Politics In Chicago today, presidential candidate Barack Obama reacted to comments by the first woman to run for Vice President. Rich Samuels brings us up to date on the controversy. And a top Chicago supporter of Hillary Clinton adds her dimension to the story. View Clip

Chicago Police Update The expected plea deal for the Chicago cop caught on tape beating a female bartender fell through in court today. Now the police department is looking to fire him. Rich Samuels has the latest. View Clip

State of the GOP In a bitterly contested special election race, Democrat Bill Foster on Saturday beat Jim Oberweis in the race to finish off former House Speaker Hastert's term. We take a closer look at what this victory means. View Clip Remembering Gus Giordano Chicago dance pioneer Gus Giordano died yesterday. We revisit a 2002 conversation our Fawn Ring had with Giordano about his legendary career.

Rezko Corruption Trial Opening arguments began today in the federal corruption trial of Tony Rezko, the governor's top fundraiser. Elizabeth Brackett brings us the latest. View Clip

Million Dollar Mystery Rich Samuels takes a look at the mystery school that got the million dollars Governor Blagojevich originally earmarked for Pilgrim Baptist Church. View Clip

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza We kick off our new Chicago Matters series called "Growing Forward." How is Chicago doing on the mayor's stated goal of becoming the greenest big city in the nation? Eddie Arruza talks with Chicago's Environment Commissioner for an update. View Clip

Rezko Corruption Trial Jury selection began today in the corruption trial of the governor's top fundraiser Tony Rezko. Rich Samuels has the latest. View Clip

The Week in Review Governor Blagojevich revealed as public official 'A,' controversy over public school closings, Tribune eager to sell Wrigley Field naming rights and county budget deadline looms.

Cook County Board Latest There were fireworks at the Cook County building as Todd Stroger and Cook County commissioners try to agree on the budget before tomorrow's deadline. Rich Samuels has a live report. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Governor Blagojevich proposed $40 million in state funds to tear down Cole Hall, the scene of the deadly shooting at Northern Illinois University. Eddie Arruza and his panel of legislators and NIU students weigh in.

Cook County Budget With a Friday deadline looming, Cook County Commissioners today rejected a proposal to raise the sales tax to balance the 2008 budget. Rich Samuels will update us on the county's fiscal crisis as the possibility of a county government shut down approaches.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger The Cook County Board of Commissioners has until Friday to pass a balanced budget or face a partial shutdown of the county government. So far the gridlocked board has been unable to reach a consensus. Cook County Board President Todd Stroger joins us to talk about the budget debate.

Cook County Tax Members of the Cook County Board met today to discuss President Todd Stroger's sales tax plan. We have the latest. Deepak Chopra Who is Jesus? It's a question that's been asked for thousands of years. Spiritual leader Deepak Chopra joins us to share his take on the question, the topic of his new book "The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore."

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton square off at a debate in Texas, Governor Blagojevich lays out lofty budget proposals, Todd Stroger's stalled county budget due next week, Northern Illinois University victims laid to rest, Northwestern University's journalism dean in hot water after using anonymous quotes, and the Bulls trade Ben Wallace. Guests: