Will Congress and the President reach a deal to avoid defaulting on U.S. debt? Carol Marin and her panel look at the political stalemate.

A British developer unveils big plans for the old main post office in the Loop. Are the plans visionary or overly ambitious? WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us to discuss that and other top business stories, including a new California company being hired by employers to run social media background checks on applicants.

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, with extreme temperatures blanketing Chicago and government officials ever-mindful of the 800 heat-related deaths in 1995, the city is in full emergency weather mode. Mayor Rahm Emanuel expands recycling by hiring private companies to compete against city haulers for the contract. Illinois' newest casino in Des Plaines is a big winner, but Gov. Pat Quinn is still waiting for the gaming expansion bill to be sent to his desk. And in sports, the NFL and the Players Association are close to a deal to save the football season.

We hear what you had to say about recent stories when we read some of our viewer mail. Send Chicago Tonight your comments

A brand new casino opens to great fanfare. Are more on the way? Carol Marin sits down with the head of the Illinois gaming board, who has called the state's new gambling bill "garbage."

Is a deal on the debt finally about to happen? Elizabeth Brackett and her panel have more on the latest round of talks and how this debate might affect your pocketbook.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pitting two private garbage companies against city workers for Chicago's recycling services. Carol Marin and her panel look at this and the showdown over work rules and 625 announced layoffs to close the city's budget shortfall.

Trading pork belly futures is a thing of the past. WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel joins us with the business stories of the day, including famous Chicago homes on the market.

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Monday's violent storm leaves a mess in its 75 mph wake and hundreds of thousands without power. It was a busy week at City Hall with Mayor Rahm Emanuel cutting city agency credit cards, elected officials' security details, huge vacation payouts and announcing layoff notices to 625 of the city's union workers. Illinois' leading real estate organization admits grossly overstating prices of homes sold in Chicago, possibly going back as far as 2008.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid paints a bleak picture of what will happen if Congress can't strike a deal to raise the debt ceiling. Eddie Arruza and our economic panel discuss how the U.S. and European financial crises could impact your bottom line.

Radio personality Steve Dahl just announced he's offering subscriptions to his podcasts. The industry veteran joins us to discuss the changing landscape of communications.

Some South Side residents are angry over major construction projects and beach restoration along the south lake shore. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Ald. Leslie Hairston List of South Side parks

Security details for Chicago officials remain a source of controversy. Eddie Arruza tells us what Mayor Rahm Emanuel had to say about that ongoing debate.

Is gambling expansion a safe bet to solve the state's financial woes? We address the issue with State Rep. Lou Lang and State Rep. Jack Franks.

BROKE, USA Do payday lenders and pawn shops offer a valuable service to the working poor or do they exploit their customers? We talk to Gary Rivlin, the author of a new book who says there is a "poverty industry" that takes advantage of people in need.

President Barack Obama continues to push for a deal on raising the debt ceiling. But can it get done? And what happens if it doesn't? Illinois Senator Mark Kirk joins Carol Marin with more.