Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he felt compelled to champion Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s law calling for tougher gun sentences after he met with the parents of slain teenager Hadiya Pendleton. Read an article.

We discuss fall veto session activity, and whether the Illinois General Assembly will tackle the nearly $100 billion shortfall in pension systems currently facing the state. Gun control and same-sex marriage are also up for debate.

Democratic strategist and Director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics David Axelrod joins us to talk about the shutdown and its effect on next year’s election. He will also highlight his November lecture at the Chicago Humanities Festival. Read a fact sheet about the festival.

Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley joins us to talk about the Affordable Care Act, government shutdown fallout, a federal spending deal, and the future of bipartisan cooperation in the House of Representatives.

Now that the government shutdown is over, the Republican party needs to look towards the 2014 elections. Who are the shining stars? And just how can the GOP fix their perceived messaging problem? We take a look at what's ahead for the Republican party.

The eight aldermen that form Chicago City Council’s self-styled “Progressive Caucus” have a novel approach to solving the city’s pension crisis: convene a panel of city workers, elected officials, and fund managers to come up with a long-term solution. Read an article.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists continue the conversation with the discussion of the extension of south Lake Shore Drive. It will run along the old U.S. Steel site, which will be redeveloped. Watch the web extra video.

Now that the government has reopened and a debt default has been averted, we get reaction from Sen. Dick Durbin and other Illinois lawmakers about what happens next.

President Obama signed an 11th-hour deal averting a devastating debt default. But it’s a short-term deal that may result in another funding battle on January 15 and debt limit deadline February 7. What is the real economic impact of the shutdown? And what effects will it have on markets? We have analysis.

What are the odds that pension reform, same-sex marriage, and gambling will be passed in the coming months? WUIS Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky looks ahead to the Springfield veto session.

The first speed cameras are officially in action. But is the program different than what Mayor Rahm Emanuel sold it as? Paris Schutz has the story. View a map of speed camera locations.

Senate leaders announce they've reached a deal to end the government shutdown. Carol Marin and her guests have analysis.

We take a look at the current state of fiscal talks in the U.S. House and Senate. Will Congress beat the debt limit clock? Or is the United States facing default? Our panel has analysis.

Chicago Housing Authority CEO Charles Woodyard's resignation was announced at a CHA board meeting on Tuesday. Natalie Moore, WBEZ's South Side reporter, joins us with the details. Read Woodyard's resignation letter.

17-year-old criminal offenders in Illinois will go to juvenile detention instead of jail beginning next year. We have the details about why that has some concerned. Read an article.