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PROGRAMMING NOTE: Tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight is abbreviated to be able to present Candidate Free Time during our second half hour.

Campaign Update The charges continue to fly in the tight race for Cook County board president. Rich Samuels has the latest on that and other key races that voters will decide on November 7th. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Elizabeth Brackett and her panel of journalists take a look at the top stories of the past month and those we spent too much time paying attention to. Guests: Dawn Turner Trice, Lester Munson, Neil Steinberg

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Election countdown, we'll look at all the hot races, Mayor Daley scraps blue bag recycling program, housing prices continue to slump, the undefeated Bears back in action, and the Bulls set to tip off a new season. Guests:

Note: Governor Rod Blagojevich originally accepted our invitation to join tonight's candidate forum. Several weeks ago, he backed out of that commitment, saying he couldn't reach an agreement with his opponent on when or where to appear. Race for Governor of Illinois Phil Ponce talks one-on-one with Republican candidate Judy Baar Topinka about her vision for Illinois.

Blagojevich Clout Connection? A ride in a private jet chartered by indicted political operative Stuart Levine was the issue of the day in the race for governor. Rich Samuels tells us why. News Analysis with Carol Marin The candidates for Illinois treasurer will be here talk about how they'd handle the state's money. Guests: Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Christine Radogno, and Green Party candidate, Dan Rodriguez Schlorff

Eat Your Veggies! Even more evidence is out today that eating leafy green veggies will protect your brain. We'll hear from the Rush University Medical Center 's epidemiologist with more details.

News Analysis with Carol Marin It's a congressional race that's garnering national attention. Henry Hyde is retiring after three decades in Congress, and there's a bruising battle to succeed him - and perhaps tip the balance of Congress. We'll hear from Republican Peter Roskam and Democrat Tammy Duckworth live in our studio tonight.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Latest polls show Tony Peraica in dead heat with Todd Stroger, Tony Rezko finally appears in court, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade merge, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation finds patronage workers' compensation claims cost city taxpayers millions, Lou Piniella named new Cubs manager, and the Bears pull off a miracle on Monday Night Football. Guests:

Rezko Pleads Not Guilty Democratic fundraiser Tony Rezko pleaded not guilty in federal court today on fraud charges. A plea in a separate case is expected later today. Rich Samuels brings us the latest. News Analysis with Carol Marin Tony Peraica, Republican candidate for Cook County Board President, joins us to talk about what he plans to do for the county if he wins. His democratic opponent, Todd Stroger, declined to participate on tonight's program.

Obama-rama Oprah, the queen of talk, helped Sen. Barack Obama launch his latest campaign this morning - for his new book. We'll hear about his barnstorming book tour with Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza In the first of our candidate forums, Eddie Arruza talks with Dan Seals, Democratic candidate for the 10th Congressional District. Seals' opponent Mark Kirk declined our invitation to participate.

Lou Piniella The Cubs have a new manager. We'll hear what Lou Piniella plans to do to turn the team's fate around. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange announced today that the two companies will merge. What does it mean for Chicago's economy, and what does it mean for investors? Elizabeth Brackett and her panelists will explain.

News Analysis with Carol Marin ComEd cries poor and says it needs a steep rate increase in order to avoid bankruptcy. But today's Sun-Times details the CEO's $27 million salary. Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman Governor Blagojevich's longtime confidant indicted, President Bush comes to town, Mayor Daley unveils new city budget, Andersonville may put the reins on retail chains, the undefeated Bears get ready for "Monday Night Football," and the Cubs managerial search in full swing. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Mayor Daley has appointed reform-minded State Senator Miguel del Valle as the new City Clerk. Eddie Arruza will ask del Valle why he took the job and what he's going to do with it. Patricia Hitchcock We'll talk to Patricia Hitchcock about her famous father, the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Click here for more on the upcoming Hitchcock Festival.

New Indictments Announced Businessman and top advisor to Governor Blagojevich Tony Rezko was indicted today in two fraud cases. Carol Marin reports on what else came out of today's press conference by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Then she and her guests will talk about what this could mean for the governor, with just weeks to go before the election.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Political candidates are out in force as the election season heats up. There were both gubernatorial and Cook County Board presidential debates today. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel will rate how the candidates did. Guests: Carlos Hernandez Gomez, Greg Hinz, Christian Farr

News Analysis with Carol Marin Governor Blagojevich's campaign is choosing a "rose garden" strategy when it comes to debates. Carol Marin and her panel weigh in on that and other political news. Bears Alumni Club Something special is happening at Soldier Field this year. Former Bears linebacker and special teams standout Jim Schwantz is here to recap yet another dominating performance by the Bears.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review House Speaker Dennis Hastert in a political firestorm, Governor Blagojevich and Judy Baar Topinka debate, Lord & Taylor leaving the Magnificent Mile, protests in Carpentersville over immigration ordinance, the Cubs search for Dusty Baker's replacement, and the undefeated Bears host the Buffalo Bills. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza House Speaker Dennis Hastert said he is "deeply sorry" for the congressional page sex scandal. Elizabeth Brackett reports on what else he had to say. Plus Eddie Arruza and his panel discuss the policial repercussions of the scandal. Guests: David Axelrod, Thom Serafin

Hastert Under Fire House Speaker Dennis Hastert remains on the hot seat over what he knew and when he knew it in the congressional page scandal. Hastert was in Illinois today, and we'll have the latest on this explosive story.

Carpentersville Controversy A proposed ordinance in Carpentersville could be the first of its kind in Illinois. It's designed to crackdown on illegal immigrants, but some opponents believe it could turn the village into a ghost town. Christian Farr investigates both sides of this debate.

Goodbye, Dusty Cubs manager Dusty Baker is OUT! After one of the most disastrous seasons in years, Baker was let go by the team one day after the resignation of team president, Andy McPhail. Elizabeth Brackett reports on what might happen next to the north siders.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Oprah Winfrey endorses Barack Obama for president, County Board presidential hopefuls Todd Stroger and Tony Peraica debate, 5-year-old Diamond Brownridge dies after dental procedure, Wal-Mart opens in Chicago, traffic e-mail alerts now available, and the undefeated Bears take on the Seattle Seahawks. Guests:

County Budget Shortfall Interim Cook County board president Bobbie Steele says the county is looking at a deficit of more than $400 million next year. Steele joins us live to tell us what she's going to do about it. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Iva Toguri better known as "Tokyo Rose" spent her adult life right here in Chicago. She died Tuesday at the age of 90. Eddie Arruza and his panel will take a look at her legacy and her life. Guests: Ross Harano, Laura Hein and Tom Tunney

News Analysis with Carol Marin There's a new plan to move the Chicago Children's Museum off Navy Pier and into Grant Park. Is it a good idea? Carol Marin and her panel will debate the issue. Guests: Bob O'Neill, Grant Park Advisory Council; Edward Keegan, WBEZ-FM; Bob Crawford, retired WBBM-AM political editor.

A Gay Gene? Nature or nurture — what determines sexual orientation? We'll hear from a Northwestern researcher whose study could determine whether there's a gay gene. Learn more about the study. News Analysis with Elizaeth Brackett Five-year old Diamond Brownridge is clinging to life after a dental procedure Saturday left her in a coma. Elizabeth Brackett and her guests look at some of the questions all parents should ask before their children undergo dental procedures.