Briefs: An Olympic pep talk

President Bush says Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics will make America proud. Bush met Monday morning with the city's organizing committee and members of the U.S. Olympic Committee during a stop in Chicago. Next week Chicago formally submits its application for the 2016 Summer Games to the International Olympic Committee. The IOC will pick a host city in 2009. Bush said in a statement that he couldn't think of a better city to represent the United States in the contest for the games. The president said the athletes will be treated well if the Olympics come to Chicago. He said they'll be safe and enjoy the city's "great" restaurants and "fantastic" accommodations.

Protesters arrested

Four antiwar demonstrators were arrested Monday in a brief clash with police outside the Union League Club in downtown Chicago where President Bush had just finished lunch with civic leaders. The demonstrators tried to dart from the curb and into the street outside the club to stretch a large green banner saying "End the War and the Occupation" in front of Bush's motorcade. They continued to struggle as horse-mounted police forced them back to the curb. Four of those who defied the officers and struggled to get into the street with their banner were arrested and taken away in a police van. The names of those arrested and the charges against them would be released later, authorities said.

'Doomsday' approaches

With 13 days to go until the Chicago Transit Authority's so-called doomsday service cuts and fare increases, Gov. Rod Blagojevich urged lawmakers to pass a long-term transit funding plan. At an afternoon news conference, the governor introduced a cross-section of CTA, Metra and Pace riders he says would be hurt by the planned cuts -- including students and people with disabilities. Blagojevich says he's "loathe to suggest" a third temporary bailout is possible, and he's cautiously optimistic that lawmakers will come up with a permanent funding solution when they meet this week. The governor has twice averted the cuts and fare increases by offering up temporary funding. The third "doomsday" deadline is Jan. 20.

Governor seeks heat funds

Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants the federal government to give states extra money to pay the heating bills of low-income residents. In a letter to President Bush, Blagojevich asks the federal government to release $590 million in so-called contingency funds to help cover higher heating costs. Last month, Bush approved a $2.6 billion budget for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. About $2 billion of that will be distributed to the states and the rest can only be released at the president's discretion. Heating bills are expected to climb 11 percent this winter. And Blagojevich says Illinois is particularly hard-hit because of cold winter weather.