Stories by WTTW News

Chicago Police Update Mayor Daley's choice for Chicago's new top cop submits to a grilling from city aldermen. Rich Samuels has details.

The Week in Review at 7pm Tonight on a special edition of the program we gaze into the 2008 crystal ball. What lies ahead for the city and state in government, politics, business, sports, the arts, and more? Will it be a prosperous, scandalous, or problematic year? Our panel of all-star journalists weigh in on the big stories of the new year. Guests

Iowa Caucuses The Iowa caucuses are underway. Eddie Arruza talks to one Chicago political blogger who doesn't think much about all the attention given to our neighboring state. Guest: Scott Jacobs, TheWeekBehind.com News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Lake Michigan's water levels have reached record lows in recent weeks. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at why and what can be done to improve the situation. Guests: Steven Forman and Joel Brammaier.

Iowa Caucus Countdown Presidential candidates make their pitches to win over voters in the final hours before the Iowa caucuses tomorrow. Carol Marin joins us with more, live from Iowa. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Governor Blagojevich again called legislators into special session today to deal with mass transit funding issues. But is it too little late? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a closer look. Guests: Chris Fusco and Kristen McQueary.

Chicago Tonight has the night off so we can bring you Live From Lincoln Center: New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve Gala with Joshua Bell. Please be sure to join us on Wednesday, January 2, 2008. Happy New Year!

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm On this special year-end edition of the program we take a look back at the biggest local stories of 2007 in politics, business, sports, and more. Our panel of all-star journalists weigh in on the past year. Guests

Bhutto Assassination The assassination of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has major implications both inside Pakistan and around the world. We'll look at what's next for Pakistan. Smoke-Free Chicago Illinois' new restrictive smoking ban goes into effect next Tuesday. How are smokers planning to cope? And what effect will it have on local businesses? Elizabeth Brackett has the story. More information and tips on quitting:

Tonight we take a special look back at some of our favorite musical guests of the past year. Back for an encore are:

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton in Chicago this week, Mayor Daley apologizes for his son's questionable city contract, travelers brace for holiday gridlock, airport screeners now using psychology tactics, the Chicago Tribune hikes daily paper price to 75 cents as Sam Zell takes over, Chicago Sun-Times staffers worried about potential layoffs, and the Chicago Bears home for the playoffs. Guests

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett There has been mixed news about the economy all through the year. How does the state of the U.S. economy affect the average person? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look. Guests: Terry Savage - Chicago Sun-Times, Carl Tannenbaum - economic consultant and Christopher Davis - Morningstar.

Cook County Budget Crisis There were protests at the county building today against proposed budget cuts. Rich Samuels brings us up to date on Cook County's budget crisis.

Daley Criticizes Son's Judgment Mayor Daley today said his son's failure to reveal his interest in a company doing business with the city was a "lapse of judgment". Rich Samuels has the details.

Gambling Referendum? Should Illinois voters have a say in whether or not gambling is expanded in the state? Lt. Governor Pat Quinn thinks so. Christian Farr tells us why the Lt. Governor thinks a referendum is necessary. News Analysis with Carol Marin Mayor Daley's son, Patrick, invested in a sewer inspection company that did business with the city - and he failed to disclose his ownership as required by law. Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look. Guests: Jay Stewart, Tim Novak and Dick Simpson.

The Week in Review at 7pm The Feds indict one of Governor Blagojevich's top advisors, CTA workers threaten to walk off the job on Monday, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert throws his support behind Jim Oberweis, the state looks into buying Wrigley Field, former Chicago Sun-Times owner Conrad Black sent to jail, Sam Zell's Tribune deal set to close next week, baseball's long-awaited steroids report released, and quarterback Kyle Orton takes the reigns for the Bears. Guests:

Tax Fraud A top fundraiser for Governor Blagojevich is indicted on tax charges. Christian Farr will have the details. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza The long awaited report on steroid use in professional baseball is out and it's a bombshell. Among those named in the report are former Cubs and White Sox players. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at what it means to the future of the game.

City Council Update Rich Samuels will bring us the latest from today's City Council meeting. News Analysis with Carol Marin The Cook County Board has until February to pass a balanced budget. But nobody can agree on how to close a $238 million shortfall. Carol Marin will talk to a panel of county commissioners on what their solutions are to the budget impasse.

Transit Funding on Hold Congressmen from the land of Metra call on state legislators to resolve transit funding issues before more than $1 billion in federal funding travel elsewhere. Rich Samuels has details. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett House Speaker Michael Madigan unveiled a major gambling expansion plan yesterday. We'll hear what tonight's panel of lawmakers think of the proposal. Guests: State Sen. Rickey Hendon, State Rep. Bob Biggins and State Rep. Lou Lang.

The Works of Roger Brown, 1941 - 1997

Gambling Expansion Illinois House Democrats today proposed a massive expansion of gambling, including a city-owned casino in Chicago. Rich Samuels has details. News Analysis with Carol Marin Oprah was on the stump this weekend for Barack Obama in the early primary states. But will her influence translate into votes? Carol Marin and her panel take a closer look. Guests: Delmarie Cobb, Don Rose and Steve Rhodes.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7pm

Mortgage Crisis Relief Coming? The federal government steps in to help subprime mortgage holders. Is it too little too late? How many people will be helped and should they be helped at all? Guest: Deborah Lucas, Northwestern University finance professor Mo Rocca You know him from "The Daily Show", "CBS Sunday Morning," and "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me." Comedian and political satirist Mo Rocca joins us in the studio.

Transit Funding Update CTA operating unions are threatening job actions if Springfield continues to delay mass transit funding. Rich Samuels tells us what could happen and when. Presidential Prospects The official start of the process to select a president is less than a month away. Carol Marin just got back from Iowa. She'll tell us what she learned about the presidential prospects.

Casino Deal Nearing? The president of the Illinois Senate says a deal is close, but other legislative leaders say agreement on mass transit funding and a Chicago casino may not come until early next year. Rich Samuels has the details. NU Campus in Doha, Qatar Northwestern University is preparing to open a campus in the Middle East after being invited in by the royal family of Qatar. We'll get details about this new venture. Guest: Susan Dun

News Analysis with Carol Marin The governor's governing style has elicited a lot of editorializing. His approval ratings are low and he has alienated the legislature. CBS2's Mike Flannery followed the governor around for a few weeks as part of a special report and he joins Carol Marin to talk about it.

The Week in Review with Joel Weisman at 7 pm Mayor Daley picks an outsider to run the Chicago Police Department, charges of racism at the Cook County Board, lawmakers still deadlocked on transit deal, Motorola CEO Ed Zander stepping down, Sears profits plunge, Bears running back Cedric Benson out for the rest of the season, and Chicago lost two familiar names this week, longtime television news anchor John Drury and former congressman Henry Hyde. Guests:

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