Nearly 3 million additional people are expected in the region in the next three decades, and preparing for this increase is no easy task. The chairman of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning explains how the organization is planning for the region's future. Go to 2040

State Rep. Deborah Mell sits down with Carol Marin and talks about the special challenges of being Rod Blagojevich's sister-in-law during her freshman year in the Illinois legislature.

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on accusations against LAZ Parking, the operator of the city's meters, for not complying with the city's minority and women-owned business requirements.

Chicago's Inspector General released a report on the city's parking meter lease today. The report claims that the parking meters were worth nearly twice the price -- almost $1 billion more -- than the amount for which they were sold. Rich Samuels goes inside the report and tells us what some angry aldermen had to say. Read the full report

Lech Walesa helped loosen the communist grip on eastern Europe. We speak with the former President of Poland about Chicago, President Obama, and trade unions.

Patti Blagojevich is toughing it out in the rainforest of Costa Rica on NBC's reality show "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" We hear what she had to say about her husband on last night's show.

Freshly indicted 29th Ward Alderman Isaac Carothers returned to City Hall today. Rich Samuels updates us on Chicago's latest public corruption scandal. Read the Carothers Indictment

There is no agreement in Springfield yet on how to make up a potential $12 billion budget shortfall, but some Republicans in the House have hinted they might support an income tax increase. Carol Marin and her panel of legislators have the latest on the ongoing budget negotiations.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Senator Burris' wiretap recordings made public; Chicago Alderman Isaac Carothers indicted; state budget negotiations go down to the wire; President Obama nominates the first Hispanic to the Supreme Court; a bevy of housing figures out this week, are there any signs of a recovery?; the Blackhawks Stanley Cup quest comes up short; and Bulls rookie sensation Derrick Rose in the middle of a cheating scandal. Guests:

Alderman Isaac Carothers was indicted today on federal fraud and bribery charges. Rich Samuels was at the Federal Building and has the latest on this story.

Senator Roland Burris says the transcripts of secretly recorded telephone conversations prove that he did not offer former governor Rod Blagojevich money in exchange for his Senate seat. Rich Samuels has some reactions from local politicians. Roland Burris Wiretap Read the transcript

The state legislature is poised to vote on a 50% income tax hike. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at both sides of the debate over higher taxes.

We talk to the new head of the Better Government Association, longtime ABC7 political reporter Andy Shaw.

Read the wiretap transcript of the conversation Roland Burris had in which he promises to raise campaign cash for Blagojevich. Read the transcript

Federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor is President Barack Obama's choice for the U.S. Supreme Court. Rich Samuels tells us about reaction to her selection, and Elizabeth Brackett and her panel discuss what her confirmation would mean for the nation's highest court.

There were more than 6,000 collisions between cars and pedestrians last year in Illinois. We show you some aggressive new tactics being used to crack down on motorists who fail to obey the law at crosswalks.