Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: As the state's budget crisis continues to grow, support is growing for a major income tax hike; legislation to end free CTA rides for all seniors is moving forward in Springfield; 8 underperforming Chicago Public Schools are set to be closed or completely overhauled; O'Hare airport gets full body scanners; Mayor Daley suggests privatizing parts of pricey McCormick Place; and the Cubs and Sox are working off the rust in spring training. Guests:

27-year-old downstate businessman Jason Plummer is the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor. We talk to him about his candidacy and the questions surrounding his experience.

The President and Congressional leaders held their health care summit today. We get the reaction of one local business.

Conductor Riccardo Muti becomes the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's music director this Fall, but today he unveiled details of his first full season. Eddie Arruza brings us a conversation with the maestro about his plans for the orchestra and his thoughts on the art of conducting.

The Chicago Health Department raided a small-business incubator that helps small artisan bakers and caterers, but not because of food safety violations. We meet a candy maker and the owner of the kitchen.

What is a flying buttress, and where can I see one? Find out in tonight's edition of Ask Geoffrey. MeTV Chicago Chicago Tribune history Chicago Tribune timeline

The Grammy-winning opera singer Susan Graham, currently appearing in Lyric Opera's production of The Damnation of Faust, shares some of her adventures in opera and performs in our studio.

We learn about sea lampreys living in Lake Michigan, and find out how controlling these critters can provide valuable lessons in protecting our region against other invasive species such as Asian carp. Listen to Your Lakes -- Shedd Aquarium Sea Lamprey Control -- Great Lakes Fishery Commission

The president of the CTA's bus union and CTA President Richard Rodriguez join us to talk about what how they can work together to roll back layoffs and service cuts.

The Tea Party Movement has spread like wildfire all across the nation. We take a closer look at the political uprising and its surprising origins right here in Chicago. American Thinker A New American Tea Party: The Counterrevolution Against Bailouts, Handouts, Reckless Spending, and More Taxes

Local architect Adam Reed Tucker is showing what he can do with Legos. Eddie Arruza takes a look at his renditions of famous skyscrapers currently on display at the Museum of Science and Industry. ART + Science = Architecture

We meet the Chicago resident and Olympian who held the world record in the long jump for 23 years.

Members of The Apollo Theater's Million Dollar Quartet perform in our studio.

We travel to India to find out how far one recent graduate has gone to pursue his budding journalism career. Kartikay Mehrotra's articles for The Indian Express

We view some vibrant paintings that depict the life-and-death struggle of a Chicago artist. Hollis Sigler: Expect the Unexpected

Phil Ponce sits down with actor and comedian Tim Kazurinsky.