Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger says the state of Illinois’ finances is bleak, given the months-long stalemate without a state budget. Just how bleak has it gotten, and is there even a way out anymore? Paris Schutz has the story.

Since news leaked last week that Mayor Rahm Emanuel is considering a record high property tax increase of $500 million, the mayor says he’s confident the City Council will stand with him and his plan to overcome the city’s massive financial hurdles. Tonight we’ll ask aldermen to sound off on the property tax increase and other tax proposals.

Cuba and the United States have reestablished diplomatic ties but is the Caribbean nation ready for more changes? On Chicago Tonight, we hear from Cuban activist Dr. Alberto Roque Guerra on one way the communist government seems to be shifting.

We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Labor Day has come and gone, but the summer of discontent in Springfield is not going away. Lawmakers have retreated to various warring camps in a battle that has largely pitted Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner against powerful Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.

State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) has some angry words for House Speaker Michael Madigan, in the wake of this week’s failed override of SB 1229, a major union bill that became a flash point in the ongoing political war between Madigan and Gov. Bruce Rauner. Paris Schutz has the story.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly considering a $500 million property tax hike—one of the largest in the city’s history—to help pay police and fire pensions and construction projects for Chicago Public Schools. The tax increase is expected to be included in the mayor’s 2016 budget. We examine what’s reportedly in Emanuel’s budget and what it means for city residents.

Illinois House lawmakers will soon consider whether to override a veto by Gov. Bruce Rauner that could send negotiations with state employee unions to binding arbitration. And with no state budget in place, just how do lawmakers plan on maintaining critical state services? Amanda Vinicky joins Chicago Tonight with a preview of the week ahead in Springfield. 

Congress reconvenes next Tuesday after a five-week recess, and there are some weighty and urgent matters to attend to, including yet another debt ceiling fiscal cliff. Joining us to share their thoughts on these and other issues are Congressman Bill Foster (D-11th); and Congressman Peter Roskam (R-6th).

The mayor and top city officials are speaking to the public at this hour in the first of a series of town hall meetings on the city budget. That budget could be as much as $754 million out of whack thanks to escalating pension costs. Higher taxes and fees are almost certainly inevitable, the question is which? How are residents responding to the shortfall? Paris Schultz joins us live from Malcolm X College.

The state's budget standoff is entering its 10th week on Wednesday. We talk with two of the most outspoken leaders from both sides of the aisle to see if any compromise is on the horizon. Joining Chicago Tonight are Rep. Lou Lang and Rep. Ron Sandack. 

The Chicago Public Schools budget that is short half a billion dollars is officially enacted. The fate of that $500 million assistance is in the hands of the Illinois House, where support is currently tenuous at best. Thursday, some House lawmakers sent a message to the city and Chicago Public Schools: certain things have to happen before that chamber gets on board. What are they?

Meet two storm survivors who moved to Chicago after the destructive storm ripped through the New Orleans area.

Still no budget in Springfield and now the state's comptroller says Illinois is starting to fall far behind in paying its bills. We have the latest on this and other news out of Springfield on Chicago Tonight with Amanda Vinicky.

If you have any ideas about how Chicago can come up with more than $750 million to help balance its budget—then the city wants to hear them. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office today announced three town hall meetings as he prepares to unveil his 2016 budget to the City Council on Sept. 22.

Thursday is Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair and, as expected, they used the opportunity to slam Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s anti-union, pro-business Turnaround agenda that they say is preventing lawmakers from approving a statewide budget. We’ll have more news from Springfield with Chicago Tonight’s Amanda Vinicky.