Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration has been tight-lipped about its first budget proposal, as it grapples with a potential $6 billion hole for next year. But, sources familiar with the plan say the pain will be spread far and wide, with $1.5 billion in cuts expected in the state's Medicaid program, and $387 million to higher education, a 31 percent reduction.

• State of the Budget

Gov. Bruce Rauner is preparing for his first budget address. We get a preview from Illinois Public Radio's Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky.

When Gov. Bruce Rauner announced the hiring of former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, he called the two-term Republican a "superstar governor" with a proven track record. We'll learn more about Lingle's time in office and her legacy in Hawaii from Chad Blair, political reporter for the Honolulu Civil Beat.

Gov. Bruce Rauner lauds Donna Arduin as “the best [budget person] in America,” justifying an eye-opening four-month contract that will pay her firm $120,000 to provide “consulting services” on this year and next year’s budget.

Three months before his death, Chicago Cubs legend Ernie Banks signed a new will giving control of his assets to his caregiver, Regina Rice. Banks’ adult sons and estranged wife are accusing Rice of manipulating Banks to gain access to his estate. We discuss the dynamics of wills and the disputes that can arise from them.

What can ancient dogs tell us about early human migration to the Americas? And how are scientists using earthquakes to scan our planet's inner core? University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin joins us with a roundup of local science news.

There's a new PBS documentary exploring the Italian American experience. We talk with the filmmaker.

The Driehaus Museum opens a new show, Maker & Muse, an extensive look at art jewelry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In an effort to better inform voters about the candidates running for Mayor of Chicago, WTTW offered all five of the candidates free air time to address our audience directly. Candidate Free Time is an unedited two minutes of air time to give viewers a concise, unfiltered look at where the candidates stand.

• Jackie Robinson West Lawyer

After the shocking decision to strip the Jackie Robinson West Little League team of its national championship for allegedly recruiting players outside the league's boundaries, we talk with the team's attorney Victor Henderson about his efforts to get the decision overturned.

With just two days until Gov. Bruce Rauner delivers his first budget address, analysts are debating how best to tackle Illinois’ massive budget deficit. The Institute for Illinois' Fiscal Sustainability at the Civic Federation has released a five-year state budget roadmap that it says will stabilize Illinois while protecting important government services.

Those who identify themselves with the opposite gender still face discrimination within many subsets of society. However, portrayals of transgender people in media and culture have helped acclimate American audiences to their experience. What have been the advancements of the transgender cause and what obstacles still lie ahead?

Famed soprano Deborah Voigt stops by to discuss her career and new autobiography.