Cook County Court Clerk Dorothy Brown joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss losing her endorsement from the county's Democratic Party and an apparent federal investigation into her office. 

In the third prime-time meeting of Republican presidential aspirants, the biggest loser of the evening appeared to be cable financial news network CNBC, which was roundly criticized by participants and observers for getting started late and for the way moderators handled the proceedings. Political communications expert Jason DeSanto joins "Chicago Tonight" to analyze the debate.

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert pleads guilty to federal charges connected to a hush-money scheme. Did anything else come to light about this mysterious case?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's record $588 million property tax hike sailed through the City Council today with only 15 aldermen voting against it. The hike is the centerpiece of Emanuel's bad news budget that imposes additional taxes and fees. We speak with a panel of aldermen about the budget and how they voted.

Though almost unanimously approved Wednesday, the museum could still be stopped by a pending lawsuit.

President Barack Obama talks guns, crime and policing in Chicago at a gathering of police chiefs from around the country. But he acknowledges the growing the violence in his hometown and being a victim of racial profiling. 

In advance of President Obama's visit to Chicago to address gun violence, a group of the nation's top law enforcement personnel send a message to Congress about gun control.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins “Chicago Tonight” on Tuesday, the eve of the City Council meeting that will determine whether his budget can survive a vote by aldermen who may be hesitant about the dramatic fiscal plan. What questions do you have for the mayor?

Cook County Democratic Party officials have voted to withdraw their support of Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown after reports surfaced that FBI agents seized her cellphone as part of a federal investigation. 

Joel Weisman and his panel of guests discuss the case of former Chicago Alderman Sandi Jackson, who reports to prison this week, the mayor's proposal to privatize the 311 center and the Cubs' storybook season that came to a bitter end.

Cook County Democrats will soon decide whether or not to withdraw their support of embattled Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, who is reportedly under federal investigation, along with husband Benton Cook, for an alleged sweetheart land deal involving a longtime campaign contributor. 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed 2016 budget plan–which includes expanding the amusement tax–could be a tough sell to a county board that narrowly approved a controversial sales tax hike to help the county tackle its $6.5 billion pension fund shortfall. We talk with three Cook County commissioners about the plan.

Illinois’ budget stalemate has created a hairy situation for Peoria Journal Star political reporter Chris Kaergard, who has vowed not to shave his beard until a resolution is reached. “Chicago Tonight” brushes up on the progress of #BudgetBeard with Kaergard. 

The Illinois General Assembly was in session in Springfield on Tuesday for the first time in weeks as the budget impasse drags on. "Chicago Tonight" Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us to talk about what happened today at the capitol.

The City Council’s Finance committee voted today to approve a record $543 million property tax increase over the next four years. But was the vote closer than expected? And will aldermen go along with garbage fee hikes and a possible new Uber fee? Paris Schutz has the story.

Watching FX’s "American Horror Story" and hitting the golf course could become more expensive under a budget proposal unveiled by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle last week. She joins us to discuss her proposal and how it will help plug a projected $198.9 million budget hole.