The state of Illinois' finances are in dire straits with a $9 billion deficit that continues to grow. Richard Dye, co-director of University of Illinois' Fiscal Futures Project, discusses how we got into this hole and how we can find our way out.

New Bears Coach John Fox faces the media at Halas Hall. We have a full recap, including what he said about Jay Cutler, and reaching out to former Bears great Brian Urlacher.

Jeremy Josse has worked in the financial services sector for more than 20 years and has always looked to explore the philosophical paradoxes within the industry. In his new book, Josse examines financial conundrums and economic concepts we accept at face value in a series of philosophical case studies.

Evanston was once the center of the temperance movement and a dry community until 1972. But now it has its very first distillery called FEW. The name just happens to be the initials of the one-time president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Frances Elizabeth Willard. Whatever Ms. Willard might think of that, the distillery is one of a growing number of spirits producers popping up all around Chicago. We get a taste of what’s being bottled.

After a sixth straight year of gains for U.S. stocks, we take a look at the prospects for 2015. How will low oil prices and a likely rate hike by the Federal Reserve impact the investing environment?

The city's annual Christmas tree recycling program begins Jan. 3. 

The Bears announce a dramatic house cleaning after a disastrous 5-11 season. We hear from Chairman George McCaskey about what went wrong and what the future holds.

We share what you had to say about the city's red light camera program in tonight's viewer feedback.

The Dow surges through 18,000, as the economy grows at its fastest pace in more than a decade.

The Better Government Association reports that some Illinois municipalities struggling with high debt loads and troubled budgets could be looking at bankruptcy as an option to get out of a financial hole -- even though it's technically illegal.

We have some timely tax tips from Dave Henderson of Duggan Bertsch.

What's behind the plunging price of gas and how low can it go? An oil industry analyst gives us some insights.

Time is winding down for Chicago high-rises to comply with the Life Safety Evaluation Ordinance. We get the latest from the Department of Buildings Commissioner Felicia Davis.

Critics say video gambling cafés are proliferating in a loophole of the state's video gambling law.

The Chicago's Commission on Landmarks approve the Cubs revised signage plan at Wrigley Field by a 6 to 1 vote. 

Chicago Deputy Mayor Steven Koch joins us to discuss booming downtown development and job growth, and the city's new minimum wage.