We hear from candidates running for the Republican nomination for Illinois governor in a live, one-hour forum. Campaign websites for all Republican candidates for governor (in ballot order):

In their last joint appearance before next week's primary, Governor Pat Quinn and Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes sit down with Carol Marin to discuss the issues. Pat Quinn campaign website Dan Hynes campaign website

Be sure to tune in at 9pm tonight, right after a special 2-hour telethon for earthquake-ravaged Haiti. On tonight's program: Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines; Candidates have launched a wave of negative ads in the final days leading up to the primary election; 14 underperforming Chicago Public Schools are going to be either closed, consolidated, or overhauled; Drew Peterson was back in court this week as lawyers argued about hearsay evidence; McCormick Place may lose yet another major convention; and the red-hot Blackhawks are the talk of the NHL.

The three Democratic candidates for Cook County Assessor discuss the issues in a candidate forum. Robert Shaw -- Chicago Sun-Times questionnaire Joe Berrios campaign website Ray Figueroa campaign website

We also hear from the two candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for Illinois Treasurer. Justin Oberman campaign website Robin Kelly campaign website

We devote the entire hour to the leading candidates for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. In ballot order they are: former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman, Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Chicago Urban League President and CEO Cheryle Jackson. Campaign websites for all Democratic Senate candidates (in ballot order):

Tonight, we devote the entire hour to the Democratic candidates running for Cook County Board President In ballot order, they are: 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District President Terrence O'Brien, Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, and current Cook County Board President Todd Stroger.

The race to replace Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes is packed with plenty of candidates. We hear from the Democrats vying to become Illinois's next chief fiscal officer. Chicago Tribune's Candidates Profiles Chicago Sun-Times Candidate Profiles

We meet two of the three candidates running for Illinois Comptroller on the Republican side.

DuSable to Obama: Chicago's Black Metropolis On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the nation remembers the slain civil rights leader's contributions to America. Here in Chicago, there is a long, rich African-American history that stretches back to the city's first resident. We get a preview of WTTW's upcoming documentary DuSable to Obama: Chicago's Black Metropolis, which will premiere this June.

Governor Quinn is promising $15 million to the Brookfield Zoo for infrastructure improvements. But given the state's fiscal crisis, the money is far from a sure thing. Eddie Arruza reports on reasons why the Zoo feels the funds are justified.

Jack Higgins proves that the pen is mightier than the sword with his often biting and always insightful political cartoons. He joins us to talk about his new book My Kind of Toon. Jack Higgins exhibit at The Beverly Arts Center

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: The primary election is now less than 3 weeks away; Governor Quinn renews his call for a tax hike in the State of the State address; the Chicago Public Schools will spend $60 million on citizen patrols; lawmakers are demanding major changes at McPier, the agency that runs pricey McCormick Place; the Bears are rebuffed by top coaching candidates; and Sammy Sosa's home run derby buddy, Mark McGwire, admits that he used steroids. Guests:

Incumbent County Board president Todd Stroger faces a fierce primary battle for his position. But could a Republican actually win the seat? We talk to the two GOP candidates for county board president. John Garrido Roger Keats

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

Governor Quinn delivered his first State of the State address this afternoon. Eddie Arruza has some highlights from the speech and tells us what some are saying about his remarks.