Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and one of his challengers, Dorothy Brown, launched battles to have each other knocked off the February Democratic primary ballot. Candidate Danny Davis quit the county race to instead run for re-election to Congress. Rich Samuels has the latest on the race for Cook County Board president.

Sarah Palin remains one of the most polarizing figures in American politics. Now two campaign reporters from Fox News and CBS have come together to write a revealing book about her. We talk with them about their book and the sudden rise of Sarah Palin. Sarah From Alaska Upcoming book signing

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama marks the one-year anniversary of his election; former Attorney General Jim Ryan launches another gubernatorial bid; CTA drivers may strike over threatened layoffs; the agency that runs McCormick Place and Navy Pier is battered by the weak economy; and Bears fans are worried about the team's lack of offense. Guests:

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

Illinois's parental notice abortion law is on hold. Rich Samuels brings us the latest on a controversial Cook County Circuit Court ruling handed down late this afternoon.

Will it soon cost six dollars for a round-trip ride on the CTA? Today CTA President Richard Rodriguez presented the transit agency's 2010 budget to the Cook County Board. We talk to him about the challenges mass transit is facing in Chicago.

For years, Black Panther Fred Hampton's death was cloaked in mystery. But an attorney who once represented Hampton will be here to discuss his new book about the slain Chicago civil rights activist.

Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan announced his campaign for Governor. Rich Samuels has reaction from other Republicans vying for the job.

Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at how the race for Illinois Governor is shaping up.

We hear from the author of a new book that shines a spotlight on the voters who helped President Obama get elected. Destiny Calling: How The People Elected Barack Obama

The veto session in Springfield has ended, but there are many issues the state continues to face, namely the state budget. Carol Marin and her panel of lawmakers discuss the state's fiscal challenges and more.

You can tell a lot about a president by how they play poker, says Chicago-based author James McManus. We talk to him about his new book Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: State lawmakers busy during the fall veto session; Cook County property taxes soaring; Illinois grappling with the swine flu; terrorism suspects arrested in Chicago; protesters take to the streets against the American Bankers Association annual meeting; new Cubs owner Tom Ricketts officially takes over; and the Bears hope to bounce back from one of the worst losses of the Lovie Smith era. Guests:

A Chicago filmmaker joins us to talk about a new documentary featuring unprecedented behind-the-scenes footage from inside the Obama Presidential campaign. By the People: The Election of Barack Obama

Property taxes, the proposed Illiana Expressway, and mass transit are the subjects of tonight's viewer mail.

One of two Chicago men accused of a terror plot against a Danish newspaper made his first appearance in federal court today. Eddie Arruza reports on what prosecutors say was an attempt to kill a cartoonist behind some controversial drawings of the Prophet Muhammed.