Mayor Rahm Emanuel and challenger Jesús "Chuy" García went head-to-head in a live forum hosted by Phil Ponce and live streamed at wttw.com.

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth announced she will run for Senate in 2016 against incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk. 

Indiana's passage of a so-called religious freedom law has sparked an angry backlash from those who assert that it gives license to businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples on religious grounds. Already there has been a massive backlash against the law, with leaders of business—including Apple's CEO Tim Cook—decrying the law.

First-term Ald. John Arena, a member of the City Council's Progressive Caucus and a frequent thorn in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's side, faces a runoff rematch with Chicago Police Lt. John Garrido in the race to represent the northwest side's 45th Ward.

We share what you had to say about Jesse Jackson Jr.'s release from prison, contract negotiations between CPS and CTU, and Chicago's urban coyotes in tonight's viewer feedback.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue their conversation online with a discussion of journalists appearing in political advertising.  

Two local men were arrested on charges of aiding the ISIS terror group.

Former Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has been released from a federal prison in Alabama after his 2013 conviction for tax evasion and misuse of campaign funds. His next stop will be a halfway house, likely located in the Washington, D.C. area.

First-term Ald. Michele Smith is fighting to keep her Lincoln Park aldermanic seat in a bitter battle with challenger Caroline Vickrey. They go head to head.

The Illinois House of Representatives passed a stopgap budget fix to plug a $1.6 billion deficit and avoid running out of money for day care programs and prison guards. Our panel analyzes this rare display of bipartisan cooperation. 

Ald. Mary O'Connor faces a runoff challenge from Chicago firefighter and former police officer Anthony Napolitano. While O'Connor has touted the accomplishments of her first term, many in the northwest side ward are angry over new O'Hare airport flight paths that they say have made their neighborhoods unbearably noisy. They join us.

Former Congressman Barney Frank has a new book out about his remarkable life as an outspoken politician made even more remarkable by his coming out as a gay man. He joins us.

A House Committee has passed a temporary fix to the state budget shortfall so day care providers and prison guards will be paid. Chicago Tonight Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky has the details.

Last week’s election in Israel has brought strong reactions from many quarters and especially from American Jews -- with opinions ranging from strong support for the outcome to blistering criticism. A panel of Chicago-area rabbis with diverse views on Israel and the election joins us.

Incumbent 36th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato decided to run in a different ward after the 36th was re-mapped. Four candidates ran to take over his seat, which covers parts of Belmont Cragin and Portage Park. Two candidates made it to the April runoff: former congressional staffer Omar Aquino and consultant Gilbert Villegas. They join us.

Early voting starts today in the mayoral runoff election. We get an update on the campaigns from our news panel.