Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists look back at the year in a special year-end edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review.

The $858 billion tax cut proposal has cleared the Senate and is on its way to the House. Carol Marin and her panel have more on what an extension of the Bush-era tax cuts would mean for the economy, the deficit, and your pocketbook.

Illinois is number one on the list of worst states for retirement. We find out why when WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to look at the week in business.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: legendary Cubs third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo dies in Arizona; the Illinois legislature passes Civil Unions, granting same-sex couples some of the same rights as those currently married; police and firefighter pension reform also passes; Mark Kirk is sworn in as Illinois' junior U.S. senator; and controversial Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is out. Chicago-based Groupon is targeted to be gobbled up by Google for more than $5 billion.

Elizabeth Brackett and her guests take up the debate over police and firefighter pensions. The Commercial Club of Chicago Illinois Public Pension Fund Association

Cash and favors are allegedly "pouring" into many Chicago bar owners' pockets. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel have more on a Crain's Chicago Business investigation that found pay-to-play practices involving Chicago's beer industry.

This Friday, a lot of stores will be opening their doors before consumers even have a chance to digest their Thanksgiving turkey. How can you find the very best Black Friday deals? We talk to the founder of a popular Black Friday website.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: Speaker Mike Madigan shoots down Governor Pat Quinn's tax hike in the veto session. Congresswoman Melissa Bean finally concedes the election. Mayoral candidates file their petitions, and Mayor Daley reacts to mayoral candidate and former CPS school board president Gery Chico's criticism of the city's schools. Facing a half-billion-dollar deficit, Cook County President-Elect Toni Preckwinkle orders all Cook County offices to slash their budgets by 21%.

Is an aging population remaking the world? We talk with the author of a new book who says it definitely is and will explain how. Find out more about the book

City Council passed Mayor Daley's budget today by a wide margin with no new taxes or amendments. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts joins us to talk about his controversial $200 million bond proposal to renovate Wrigley Field.

It looks as though the new exhibitor rules at McCormick Place are paying off -- we find out which major trade show announced a five-year contract renewal when WBBM Newsradio's Kris Kridel joins us to break down this week's business headlines.

A commission appointed by President Obama recommends radical changes to bridge the nation's budget gap. We speak with one of the commission members, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with the week's top business stories, including how the city of Chicago postponed its bond sale.

You can't buy Marigold margarine or the Chicago Daily News anymore, but you can still see ads for these and other long-gone products and businesses on walls all over town. Geoffrey Baer brings us a revealing look at Chicago's "ghost signs." Find out more about Chicago's ghost signs and where you can see them

The parking boxes on Devon Avenue might make it easier to find a spot, but we find out why some store owners say the boxes could be bad for business. Ash-har Quraishi has the story. West Ridge Chamber of Commerce Search for Chicago Parking Tickets Chicagometers.com