Like the name suggests, zombie properties are often abandoned homes with no one living in them. Banks have foreclosed on them, but didn’t follow through with completion. Brandis Friedman takes a look at why that happens, the impact on the community, and what can be done. Read an article, watch a web extra video, and view a map of zombie properties in Chicago.

Gov. Pat Quinn has thrown a big wrench into efforts to save part of the city's pension mess. Today, the governor said no to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposal to raise property taxes as part of a pension fix. But could a late-breaking development salvage a deal in Springfield to avert a fiscal crisis? Paris Schutz has the details. Read an article and Emanuel's new pension amendment.

Today, Chicago magazine published the first article in a two-part special report, "The Truth About Chicago’s Crime Rates", that details an investigation into Chicago’s dramatic fall in crime in recent years and how crimes are being classified. We talk with the magazine's features editor and series co-author David Bernstein about his findings. Read an article and view graphics on Chicago crime stats.

Eddie Arruza and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Eddie Arruza’s panel of journalists reveal a few pages out of their reporter notebooks, and share what piqued their interest on their respective beats this week. Topics include Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, insurance companies, and PED use in Major League Baseball. Watch the web extra video.

How big a hit will homeowners and commercial property owners take if Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s pension reform proposal goes through? Read an article and view a chart.

The prospects of passing Mayor Rahm Emanuel's pension reform bill in Springfield this week are getting dimmer. We have the latest details from Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney.

Amnesty International is directing its attention to gun violence in Chicago and its human rights impact, while the Better Government Association investigates the cost of alleged police misconduct in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Brandis Friedman has the details. Read Amnesty International's 10-Point Human Rights Agenda, the BGA story, and watch a web extra video.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan files an amendment that would enact Mayor Rahm Emanuel's new pension reduction plan. The proposal includes a hefty property tax increase while also shrinking pension benefits. Who wins and who loses? 

Chicago aldermen react to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed pension plan as they will have to take the tough vote to raise property taxes. Paris Schutz has the details. Read an article.

We share what you had to say about the mayor's proposed pension plan, the passing of Chicago house DJ Frankie Knuckles, the technology behind Star Trek, and our story about Puerto Rican soldiers in tonight's viewer feedback.

Is Chicago pension reform primed for passage? And will unions try to scuttle it? Paris Schutz has the details from Mayor Rahm Emanuel's news conference where teachers union officials attempted to disrupt the presser to state their opposition to pension reform. Watch a web extra video and read the city's proposed solution to pension funds.

Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband joins us to discuss his life in politics and his new job as chief of the International Rescue Committee. View a timeline of Miliband's political career.

A new report from Gov. Pat Quinn's transit task force is recommending a shake-up to the structure of the RTA, Metra, CTA and Pace systems to streamline operations and budget woes. The blue-ribbon transit study commission is also recommending ethics reforms. Carol Marin gets the details of the report from the co-chairs of the Northeastern Illinois Public Transit Task Force, George Ranney Jr.  and Ann Schneider, and the Task Force’s Ethics chairman, Patrick Fitzgerald. Read the full report, and view a graphic of the current structure of the RTA, Metra, CTA and Pace.

We share what you had to say about the NLRB ruling on unionized football at Northwestern University and our conversation with Gov. Pat Quinn about his 2015 budget when we read some of our viewer feedback. 

Transit riders beware: the head of the CTA’s rail union says dozing off while driving a train is not all that uncommon. Read an article and watch a web extra video.