It appears that the merger between Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways has been cleared for take-off. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel has the details on the latest airline deal.

What classifies an American as rich? One University of Chicago law school professor has triggered a national debate with his blog. We look at the income tax issue from a different perspective.

On tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review -- The campaign season heats up with Governor Quinn fighting back in response to Bill Brady's criticism of the union deal; dueling ads get ugly in the race for Barack Obama's old Senate seat; Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s mayoral hopes fade in light of renewed accusations of an improper Senate seat deal along with new allegations that he had a fundraiser pay to fly a female "acquaintance" to Chicago; rumors circulate that Rahm Emanuel is leaving his White House post next month to run for mayor, and Sheriff Tom Dart is coy about his own poss

Should the state's budget problems be solved with tax hikes, or budget cuts and pension reforms? It depends on which civic organizations you ask. Elizabeth Brackett sorts out the debate.

WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel tells us about the week's top business news, including Gatorade's new social media initiative, which some people are finding a bit too invasive.

How a local organization is turning an abandoned truck depot into an urban farm just minutes away from U.S. Cellular Field. Iron Street Farm Growing Power

On tonight's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review -- Frustrated cops complained to Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis about a manpower shortage; the field of possible mayoral contenders grew more crowded with State Senator Rickey Hendon officially jumping into the race, while former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., and State Senator Rev. James Meeks are all mulling bids; and the CTA cut more than 70 jobs in an effort to balance the 2011 budget.

What could Mayor Daley's retirement announcement mean for the future of the business community in Chicago, and what concerns does organized labor have? Phil Ponce and his guests take a look.

It may be a tough job market, but some Chicagoans are finding jobs -- and fulfillment -- working in the not-for-profit sector. We meet a couple of them.

Could Merchandise Mart be up for sale? That's a question that many are asking in light of a Crain's Chicago Business report. Kris Kridel joins us to separate fact from fiction and tells us what Merchandise Mart president Chris Kennedy has to say about the rumor.

Guest host Eddie Arruza and his panel look back on a busy week: in an unprecedented move, former and current gang members call a press conference to push back against Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis's secret meeting with them; Mayor Daley and Weis both defend the move while Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and various aldermen are divided over the issue; and will the fallout affect Mayor Daley's presumed re-election bid?

A federally funded joke machine? We talk with the Northwestern professor behind the controversy that's garnered national attention.

With Labor Day right around the corner, unemployment numbers are still discouraging. We sit down with the new President of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

A merger between Chicago's hometown United Airlines and Continental tops today's business news. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with details on the deal and other business headlines.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: a bombshell in the Blagojevich case, as prosecutors drop charges against Robert Blagojevich; in Rod Blagojevich's national media whirlwind tour, the former Governor vows to put on a bevy of witnesses during his second trial; Chicago housing sales took a major tumble in July, sparking fears of a double-dip recession; and Chicago Public Schools fail to obtain much-needed federal funding. And in sports, the White Sox bullpen struggles as the Cubs say so long to Sweet Lou Piniella. Guests:

Housing sales took a major tumble in July, sending shock waves nationwide over a possible double dip recession. Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look at what the surprising downturn means for homeowners and real estate investors.