The Sun-Times has a new editorial policy against endorsing political candidates, and Tom McNamee talks about it with us on today’s show. As the Editor of the editorial page, he says he’s on board with the new directive that’s being initiated by the paper’s new owners, and intrigued by the huge reaction from readers, which he describes as all over the political map.

Paul Meincke (Channel 7) tells us about his recent coverage of the City’s attempts to settle  a case involving Iraq war protests in 2003. Lots of people were swept up in police arrests despite being heard on tape pleading with police to let them peaceably disperse. The settlement could cost the City millions and is thought to have played a role in the CPD’s lighter touch when dealing with Occupy back in October.

Whitney Woodward (Illinois Campaign for Political Reform) worked extensively on keeping public access flowing during the recent ward remap process, but says that process was thwarted when powerful aldermen cut the last-minute deal immediately before the hurried City Council vote. Also, some Latinos are unhappy with the final map, she says.

And cameras in the courtrooms. Nobody saw it coming, but these media-types like the idea.