The outgoing Cook County clerk has some ideas to boost democracy and to avoid a repeat of the March primary debacle that surrounded the Cook County assessor’s race. David Orr joins us in discussion.

To call last week in Chicago City Council “eventful” might be an understatement. We discuss the latest with a panel of Chicago aldermen.

With only two more days before the Illinois legislature’s budget deadline, insiders say a bipartisan deal is within reach.

Supreme Court justices on Tuesday refused to rule on an Arkansas law regulating abortions. We discuss that and other hot-button cases.

Legislation that could help break up food deserts in Chicago and other cities across the state passed the Illinois Senate last week and now awaits the signature of Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Chicago’s long-held desire for a city-owned casino will continue to go unrequited if an Illinois House panel’s Memorial Day vote against a massive gambling expansion package stands.

A state lawmaker goes up against the powerful Illinois House Speaker. Mayor Rahm Emanuel goes ballistic over an alderman’s parliamentary procedure. And is the NFL’s new national anthem policy a fumble?

As Illinois heads into the home stretch of its legislative session, lawmakers intimately involved in budget negotiations have an eye on reaching a bipartisan deal by next Thursday’s deadline. 

The state is one step closer to legalizing the production of industrial hemp after a 106-3 vote in the Illinois House this week. 

The project that will transform 19.3 acres of Jackson Park into the Obama Presidential Center aced its final in a series of city votes Wednesday.

The Obama Presidential Center keeps getting green lights even though important architectural details are missing. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin weighs in.

A firestorm erupts over a state Democratic lawmaker’s claims that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is retaliating against her.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s critics can accurately say he has failed to pass major parts of his agenda. But Rauner has made good on pledges to live in the capital city and revitalize the executive mansion.

Gov. Bruce Rauner wants to bring back the death penalty, but will lawmakers cut a deal for gun control measures?

Some North Side homeowners say the Cook County Assessor over-valued their property. Will other Chicago homes see a hike in their assessments?

A presidential plan for Jackson Park moves a step closer to construction. Gov. Bruce Rauner backs reinstating the death penalty. CPS hands over control of its special education program. And an up-and-down week in Chicago baseball.