Stories by WTTW News

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Three Chicago journalists will make their picks for the top local stories of 2005. While some stories will probably be a little obvious, there are other important things that happened here in Chicago that you might not have heard about. Bears Alumni Club The Bears clinch the NFC North division against their archrival, the Green Bay Packers. We'll talk with former Bear Jim Covert about the game and the playoff picture.

Plans for Peotone Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan releases opinions regarding plans to build the Abraham Lincoln National Airport in Peotone. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. joins us to share his remarks on the issue. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The Muslim American Society's annual convention kicked off in Chicago today. What issues are American Muslims most concerned about as we approach 2006? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Minority investors are steaming after the Illinois Gaminig Board revokes the Emerald Casino License. Elizabeth Brackett talks with two of the investors, Chaz Ebert and Shaun Gayle. End of the Streak The streak ends for the Sun-Times' youth-oriented tabloid, Red Streak. Sun-Times publisher John Cruickshank will be here to talk about this and other issues facing the newspaper.

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The field of Cook County board president candidates has narrowed with Commissioner Mike Quigley pulling out of the race and throwing his support behind fellow Commissioner Forrest Claypool. Elizabeth Brackett will talk to the two men along with Republican candidate commissioner Tony Peraica.

Busy Day in Cook County County board president John Stroger may find his bid for a fourth term a little more difficult. County commissioner Mike Quigley today announced he's ending his campaign for board president and throwing his support behind Commissioner Forrest Claypool. Rich Samuels has the latest on a busy day at the county building.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Was the Midway Airport tragedy avoidable? GOP gubernatorial hopeful Judy Baar Topinka teaming up with Joe Birkett, Congressman Luis Gutierrez pondering a mayoral run, former Governor Jim Thompson may be sued over Conrad Black's alleged looting, the Bears hope to get back on the winning track, and White Sox general manager Kenny Williams busy on the trade front. Guests:

Clarence Page Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page weighs in on a possible run for mayor by U.S. representatives Jesse Jackson Jr. and Luis Gutierrez. News Analysis with Phil Ponce A former FBI boss has been named as the new president of the Chicago Crime Commission. Phil Ponce talks with James Wagner about his goals for lowering Chicago crime.

City Council Developments Only one new tax in the $5.2 billion Chicago budget passed by the City Council today. Cigarette smokers get hit with a 20-cent increase but all other taxes remain stable. Revenues and interest from the sale of the Chicago Skyway helped balance the budget as did restructuring the city's debt. Elizabeth Brackett reports on today's council meeting.

News Analysis with Phil Ponce Is Congressman Luis Gutierrez running for mayor in 2007? Is Daley running again? Phil Ponce and his panel of in-the-know political reporters talk about the latest possibilities. State of the Great Lakes Good news for the Great Lakes. Today the U.S. and Canada signed a pact banning any new pumping of water out of the Great Laes basin. And yesterday, federal, state and local officials in the U.S. agreed on a 15-year $20 billion strategy for preserving the lakes. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. Daley on Concealed Weapons Though recent federal legislation allows retired cops to carry concealed weapons, Mayor Daley says Chicago won't certify them. Rich Samuels tells us why.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Mayhem at Midway airport after a jet slides off the runway, the latest on the George Ryan corruption trial, a citywide smoking ban passed, a Sun-Times series takes an in-depth look at the single life, the Cubs land speedy outfielder Juan Pierre, and the Bears in the middle of a quarterback controversy. Guests:

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. Mayor Daley We'll show you a preview of this week's Friday Night Show interview with Mayor Richard M. Daley, looking back on this year's City Hall controversies.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. News Analysis with Phil Ponce The opening weeks of December have been among the coldest in more than a century. Why is it so cold so early? Phil Ponce will ask WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling. Katrina's Chicago Survivors It's been just over three months since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. In the aftermath, some survivors came to Chicago. Elizabeth Brackett talks with one family that found shelter at the Maryville Academy in Des Plaines.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Children as young as eight and nine are being diagnosed and treated for eating disorders. We'll talk to a local leader helping kids in their battle. Donors Choose An innovative program called Donors Choose now lets you donate money directly to a Chicago Public School classroom in need. We'll bring you the details.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. News Analysis with Phil Ponce Forrest Claypool is running for Cook County Board President. Phil Ponce and his panel discuss his chances and other hot local political stories. Bears Alumni Club The Bears defense propels the team to its eighth win in a row. We'll catch up with the Bears' former defensive powerhouse, Richard Dent.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Judy Baar Topinka jumps in the Governor's race, an indictment in the 1983 Janine Nacarico murder case, Chicago's hot housing market may finally be cooling down, World Series hero Paul Konerko resigns with the White Sox, and the Bears prepare for Soldier Field showdown with Brett Favre and the Packers. Guests:

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. Chicago Tribune Layoffs The Chicago Tribune handed out close to 100 pink slips today. Rich Samuels reports on the downsizing, which includes the elimination of the City News Bureau, a unique training ground for Chicago journalists.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. Indictments in Nicarico Case State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka threw her hat in the ring today, the fifth Republican to announce for the March gubernatorial primary. Rich Samuels has the latest on the GOP's efforts to unseat Rod Blagojevich.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. Indictments in Nicarico Case Ten-year old Jeanine Nicarico was murdered more than 22 years ago. Today, fresh indictments are being handed down in this tragic and controversial case. Rich Samuels has the latest. News Analysis with Phil Ponce Retailers pulled out all the stops to get holiday shoppers to spend. Phil Ponce and his guest Will Ander examine how successful they've been.

Chicago Tonight is abbreviated this evening for pledge programming. News Analysis with Phil Ponce The debate over a smoking ordinance in Chicago restaurants and bars continues to smolder. Phil Ponce and his panel tackle this hot issue. Neil Steinberg Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg is back in print as of this morning. He'll talk to Bob about his road back from alcohol rehab and domestic abuse charges.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Holiday shopping season in full swing, what will the hot trends be? Will it be a merry time for merchants? We'll take a closer look at the city's overall economy and we'll grade Chicago's business beat. Guests:

It's a holiday edition of Chicago Tonight. Our 50-year history Rich samuels takes a look back at the 50-year history of channel 11. Famous Windows Then it's the Chicago Story of Marshall Field's famous christmas windows.

Bob Sirott is off tonight. News Analysis with Eddie Arruza Tempers are flaring in Washington on both sides of the aisle as the debate to pull troops out of Iraq escalates. Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Chicago Tribune's Jim Warren are on tonight's panel. Chicago's Grand Hotels We'll get a taste of Chicago history as seen through its historic hotels - the Drake, the Hilton and the Palmer House. Author Robert Allegrini is here with his new book Chicago's Grand Hotels. For more information: Arcadia Publishing or (888) 313-2665.

This week on Chicago Sunday: Ready or nor its time to start shopping because the holiday rush is just about here. Phil Ponce talks with retail consultant Carol Gies (http://4insights.com/) about what the hot gifts are this season and what kind of pressures retailers are facing. Then, we'll take a tour of a 19th century mansion that's being auctioned off to benefit the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review Media tycoon Conrad Black indicted for looting the Chicago Sun-Times, George Ryan's $10 million legal tab waived, the Archdiocese unveils plans to save more Catholic schools, the Black middle-class the focus of an in-depth Sun-Times series, and the FBI probes the Bears punch-out cover-up Guests:

News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett The FBI and the Bears: An investigation looks into a brawl between two Chicago Bears team members that broke out after a visit to an FBI shooting range. The Ice Harvest The Ice Harvest is the new movie starring John Cusack, directed by Harold Ramis. Cusack and Ramis sit down with Bob for a closer look at the darkly ironic story about a mob lawyer who steals from his employer.