Now that the government shutdown is over, the Republican party needs to look towards the 2014 elections. Who are the shining stars? And just how can the GOP fix their perceived messaging problem? We take a look at what's ahead for the Republican party.

While the federal Health Care Exchange website may be plagued with problems, it hasn’t stopped so-called “navigators” from helping thousands of people enroll for health insurance in Illinois. We pay a visit to a navigator at work. Read an article.

Finances, relationships, employment or the lack thereof, can all bring stress to your life. But what is stress really doing to your body? Dr. Charles Hebert of Rush Medical Center, and Joanna Hakimi, a therapist with Symmetry Counseling, discuss the effects stress has on your body, and ways to manage your stress. Read about signs and symptoms of stress, along with prevention techniques.

James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to break down the Bears' third loss in four games, and gives us his take on what fans can realistically expect from backup quarterback Josh McCown. Watch a web extra video.

The steel mills may be gone, but the south side is again under threat from a growing source of air and water pollution. It's referred to a "petcoke," and is a byproduct of refining heavy tar sands oil. We share what you had to say about it in tonight’s viewer feedback.

The eight aldermen that form Chicago City Council’s self-styled “Progressive Caucus” have a novel approach to solving the city’s pension crisis: convene a panel of city workers, elected officials, and fund managers to come up with a long-term solution. Read an article.

A delicious documentary with notes of humor and suspense, Somm follows four men preparing for the annual test before the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue the conversation with the discussion of the extension of south Lake Shore Drive. It will run along the old U.S. Steel site, which will be redeveloped. Watch the web extra video.

Once at the Oriental Theatre, a 3-D film about “space junk” and lots of desserts at Navy Pier; Chicago Tonight knows what’s going on this weekend.

Ernest Hemingway wrote lean prose but liked his burgers fatty and flavorful. With the new season of Check, Please! in mind, here's a historic recipe from a literary carnivore.

Now that the government has reopened and a debt default has been averted, we get reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin and other Illinois lawmakers about what happens next.

President Obama signed an 11th-hour deal averting a devastating debt default. But it’s a short-term deal that may result in another funding battle on January 15 and debt limit deadline February 7. What is the real economic impact of the shutdown? And what effects will it have on markets? We have analysis.

What are the odds that pension reform, same-sex marriage, and gambling will be passed in the coming months? WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky looks ahead to the Springfield veto session.

Piles of petcoke, a byproduct from oil refineries, building up along the Calumet River have southeast side residents worried about their health. Elizabeth Brackett has the story. Read an article.