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News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The candidates for Cook County Board President squared off at a downtown debate this afternoon. We'll hear from representatives from each camp about how their candidates fared. Bears Alumni Club The Bears steal a win from the Minnesota Vikings in the last minutes of the game. We'll talk about their 3-0 record with former Bears right guard and Bears radio broadcaster Tom Thayer in our Bears Alumni Club.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review The feds raid at least seven Cook County offices, Dan Ryan repairs hit a billion dollars, Olympic stadium proposed on the South Side, major changes debated at the Tribune Co., the Archdiocese shutters historic seminary, the White Sox swoon out of the play-offs, and the Bears on a tear. Guests:

Cook County FBI Probe In a federal raid on the Cook County building, FBI agents carted off boxes of records confiscated from the Bureau of Human Resources this afternoon. Christian Farr has the story and reaction to it. Ray Suarez Ray Suarez of the Newshour joins us to talk about Sen. Barack Obama, the upcoming congressional elections and his new book, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America.

Pope's Apology The pope has issued an unprecedented personal apology for his remarks that sparked uproar in the Muslim world. Religion expert Martin Marty tells us exactly what was said and why it created such a firestorm.

News Analysis with Joel Weisman The Democrats look to be way ahead in all the polls - but are they? Joel Weisman and two political strategists give us a little insight into the art of political polling. Genius Grant We'll talk to a Northwestern University professor who calls her work risky, but rewarding. Rewarding indeed! She's just received a "genius grant," a $500,000 reward from the MacArthur Foundation.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Electric bills are set to soar 22% after a decade-long rate freeze expires. Carol Marin's panel debates the shocking developments. Guests: Anne Pramaggiore, Com Ed; Mary Wisniewski, Chicago Sun-Times; David Kolata, Citizens Utility Board. Click here for information about Com Ed's customer assistance initiative, C.A.R.E..

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Electric bills set to soar, Mayor Daley vetoes big-box ordinance, Governor Blagojevich well ahead in latest polls, George Ryan's pension in peril, Chicago-area real estate sales fall flat, the White Sox fighting for their play-off lives, and the Bears open at home against the Lions. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Autumn is a stressful time for students, and tensions are heightened for those applying for early admission to college. The University of Illinois recently promised to let students know more quickly whether or not they made the cut. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at this, as well as other stories in the news about changing college admission standards. Guests: Michael Mills, Bill Motzer

City Council Update The City Council takes up Mayor Daley's veto of the controversial "big box" ordinance. Rich Samuels brings us the latest action from City Hall. News Analysis with Carol Marin The Blagojevich administration claims a $1500 check given to the governor's daughter Amy on her birthday was not a thank you for a state job that had just come through for the giver. Critics aren't so sure. Carol marin and her panel will take a look. Guests: Andy Shaw, Kristin McQueary, John Chase

Big Box Controversy Mayor Daley has vetoed the big box ordinance. We'll have a report from Rich Samuels and hear from aldermen with opposing views on this contentious issue. Rahm Emanuel Congressman Rahm Emanuel sits down with Joel Weisman to talk about his new book, "The Plan," which he hopes will lead Democrats to victory in the upcoming elections.

News Analysis with Carol Marin The nation mourns the deep and profound losses of five years ago. Carol Marin and her panel examine whether we are safer now than we were on September 11, 2001. Guests: Cortez Trotter, Aaron Gellman, Dr. Timothy Erickson, and Matthew Lippman Air Traffic Controller An O'Hare air traffic controller remembers September 11, including an order to evacuate the control tower.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review George Ryan sentenced, Congressman Jackson explores a mayoral run, Chicago stages mock downtown disaster drill, Rogers Park fire claims six children, Judy Baar Topinka launches ad blitz, the White Sox fall out of the wild card lead, and the Bears open a new season. Guests:

Cook County Board Surprise Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool says he ...won't... be voting for Todd Stroger to become the next county board president. Rich Samuels has the latest on stumbling blocks Todd Stroger has encountered in his struggle to follow in his father's footsteps.

News Analysis with Carol Marin We'll get the latest from Rich Samuels who was at former governor George Ryan's sentencing hearing today. Then Carol Marin and her panel analyzes Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer's decision and the message it sends to other politicians. Guests: Phil Rogers, Cindi Canary, Leonard Cavise

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Rev. Jesse Jackson went to the Middle East to try to free the Israeli soldiers whose kidnapping sparked the latest war. Now he's back in town and Eddie Arruza will talk with him for the latest on his efforts. Lake Conservation Rapidly growing communities are taking more and more water out of the Great Lakes. Elizabeth Brackett looks at the impact that's having on the world's largest fresh water system and at what needs to be done for the Great Lakes to stay healthy for future generations.

Chicago Tonight returns Tuesday, September 5th.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Mayoral candidates lining up, Mayor Daley still coy about his election plans, the changing face of State Street, AT&T hiking phone rates, Chicago Public Schools set to open next week, the White Sox nab wild-card lead, and Bears QB Rex Grossman finally finds the end zone. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown is now a mayoral candidate. Rich Samuels reports on Brown's political career and then Eddie Arruza goes one-on-one with her to find out why she's running and what she would do as mayor of Chicago. Illiniwek We'll have the latest on perhaps the final chapter of the ongoing controversy about the University of Illinois mascot, Chief Illiniwek.

News Analysis with Carol Marin It appears Mayor Richard Daley is ready to run for reelection next year although he's yet to say so officially. Chicago Housing Authority Chief Terry Peterson announced today that he's taking a leave of absence to run Mayor Daley's re-election campaign. Carol Marin and her panel raise the curtain on the race for mayor. Guests: Cliff Kelley, WVON radio; Laura Washington, Chicago Sun-Times; Carlos Hernandez Gomez, CLTV.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent Paul Salopek is being held in the Sudan on charges of espionage. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss the perils of reporting abroad. Political Hiring Interim Cook County Board President Bobby Steele bans political hiring. Rich Samuels will be here with the latest on allegations of clout at the county building.

News Analysis with Carol Marin Nearly 1,300 people have been hired by Cook County this year in spite of a hiring freeze. Who was behind these new hires made after former board president John Stroger's stroke? Carol Marin and her panel discuss the latest mystery coming out of the Cook County offices. Guests: Commissioner Mike Quigley, Alderman Todd Stroger, Commissioner Tony Peraica.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Judy Baar Topinka proposes a Chicago casino, city foie gras battle rages, Northwestern students stand up to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, Chicago's CD rates extremely attractive, McDonald's #2 man resigns, the Sox get ready for a wild-card showdown with the Twins, and Bears running back Cedric Benson turned in by his teammates. Guests:

News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Can a Chicago casino begin to solve the state's school funding problems? Republican candidate for governor Judy Baar Topinka thinks so. Her opponent does not. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at gambling as a source for education funding in Illinois. Guests: Bruce Dold, Ralph Martire, Doug Dobmeyer

Topinka Plan Republican candidate for Governor Judy Baar Topinka unveils a major school funding plan but her democratic opponent says her numbers don't add up. Eddie Arruza will have details.

Cook County Debrief Will Cook County join the city in getting a federal monitor overseeing its hiring practices? That's what Republican candidate for Cook County Board President is demanding. Eddie Arruza will have the latest on alleged patronage hiring at the county level. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Mayor Daley weighs in on the city ban on foie gras. Elizabeth Brackett's panel includes the alderman who proposed the ban. Guests: Ald. Joseph Moore, Chris Robling, Paul Green

Obama in Africa Illinois' U.S. Senator Barack Obama has visited Nelson Mandela's prison cell. We'll be joined on the phone by Sun-Times reporter Lynn Sweet, who is in South Africa, travelling with the senator on his journey through the continent.