From Alice the corpse plant to liquid water on Mars to the Chicago Bears: Test your news knowledge with this week's set of questions.

As summer turns to fall, time seems to be at a standstill in Springfield. With the House not scheduled to meet anytime soon, is now the time for state lawmakers to break ranks and come up with a plan B? And if so, what practical options do they have? We talk with a group of so-called rebel lawmakers.

Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno discuss the budget standoff in Springfield.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins us for his first extended interview since proposing his so-called "last resort" budget.

Were you watching this week? Test your knowledge with these nine questions.

Mayor Emanuel unveils his much anticipated doomsday budget proposal. How much pushback will it get from residents and aldermen? We ask four of them.

Jeannie Morris might be better known for her groundbreaking career as one of the first female sports journalists, but in her new book "Behind the Smile: A Story of Carol Moseley Braun's Historic Senate Campaign," she tackles national politics and unveils the ups and downs of Moseley Braun’s life and career. Morris joins us tonight to discuss the book.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins "Chicago Tonight" on Thursday to discuss his proposed $7.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. We’ll ask him about the tax and fee hikes he’s pitching. What questions do you have for the mayor?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday unveiled his proposed 2016 budget. Included is a $543 million property tax increase that would be phased in, beginning with a $318 million hike this year. Fees on garbage collection and ride-sharing services – including taxis – and a new tax on e-cigarettes aim to plug the city's budget hole.

Illinois is coming up on almost three months with no state budget, and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic legislative leaders don't appear to be any closer to a solution. Two lawmakers known for sometimes bucking their party leaders discuss whether there's a bipartisan path out of the state's current mess.

The powerful Democratic House leader has a message for Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools — all of which are asking for big-ticket items from Springfield. Paris Schutz has the details on what Michael Madigan has to say.

Were you watching this week? Test your knowledge with these eight questions.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel will soon unveil his 2016 budget, which is reported to include a $500 million property tax increase. A panel of aldermen reacts to the proposal – which the mayor says isn't enough to cover Chicago's budget woes – and discusses other ideas for possible city revenue streams.

A plan to exempt low- and middle-income homeowners from the coming city-wide property tax hike runs into some resistance. Just who would benefit and who might bear more of the tax burden under the plan? Paris Schutz has the story.

Eleven GOP presidential hopefuls will meet for a second prime-time cable news debate Wednesday. Donald Trump still leads the polling but retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson’s numbers have surged as has the profile of former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. We discuss what to expect from tomorrow night’s debate.

Should the United States and Chicago accept more Syrian refugees, in light of the crisis in Europe? President Obama has put the number at 10,000 but some local officials say it should be much higher. Paris Schutz has the story.