It's Inauguration Day at the capitol and the state is suffering its biggest budget deficit in history. Carol Marin joins us live from Springfield with the latest on how Governor Quinn's tax hike plan is being received and more.

The mayoral candidates talked city pensions today. Gery Chico, Miguel del Valle and Carol Moseley Braun all say they should not be cut back for current employees. But Rahm Emanuel says they should. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest.

Hundreds of millions of gallons of water flow throughout Chicago taps every day. But is the water safe to drink? A recent environmental study has set off alarms on Capitol Hill and at the EPA. Ash-har Quraishi takes a look at "Chromium-6." Chromium-6 Study (PDF link)

Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins may not be a household name yet - but after raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, the mayoral candidate could be soon. Watkins discusses her candidacy for mayor and more.

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This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: a judge rules mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel can stay on the ballot, but the battle rages on in court. Meanwhile, Carol Moseley Braun flip-flops and releases her tax returns, which show she is in deep financial trouble. An income tax hike looks like it's a done deal, courtesy of the lame-duck Springfield session. President Obama names Bill Daley as his new White House Chief of Staff. A surprising new report reveals $820,000 of lavish spending on parties, booze and a bug sweep under former Chicago School Board presidents.

Today Illinois legislative leaders struck a deal for a 2.25 percent income tax increase. Will it be passed by the general assembly? We get the latest scoop from the Chicago Sun-Times Springfield Bureau Chief Dave McKinney on a busy day in Springfield.

Chicagoan Bill Daley, the former U.S. commerce secretary and brother of Mayor Daley, is taking over as White House chief of staff. We have details of this key presidential appointment.

Cook County faces a budget shortfall of almost $500 million, and new Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has ordered across-the-board cuts. Eddie Arruza talks to three top officials about how they plan to comply.

On the campaign trail today, Miguel del Valle said he is sure he will be the "poorest" candidate in the race, but that he will have the most to offer. Carol Moseley Braun refused to elaborate on the tax returns that she released yesterday. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on the mayoral race.

How will Cook County close a $487 million budget gap? Newly sworn-in Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins Carol Marin for a one-on-one interview.

Did George W. Bush's distinct personality help lead to the war in Iraq? We talk with the author of a new book that offers a psychological analysis of America's 43rd President and argues that early events in his life would later shape one of his most controversial decisions. Find out more about the book: George W. Bush and the Redemptive Dream: A Psychological Portrait

A Cook County Circuit Court judge upheld the Chicago Election Board's ruling that Rahm Emanuel is eligible to appear on the ballot. Elizabeth Brackett has the details.

Chicago Sun-Times Bureau Chief Dave McKinney recaps what happened in the legislature today as the veto session winds down.

Carol Moseley Braun received a nice holiday gift when James Meeks and Danny Davis both dropped out of the race-- leaving Braun as the only major African American candidate. Danny Davis joins us tonight, as well as Rev. Jesse Jackson, who helped make it happen.

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