Carol Marin and her panel take a look at the primary races that are heating up.

Will there be a health care reform bill on the President's desk this month? Is there another stimulus plan on the horizon? How is the Afghanistan surge working? Elizabeth Brackett asks the man working on the answers to all of those questions -- Senator Dick Durbin.

Heated racial rhetoric has dominated the headlines lately. From Rod Blagojevich's apology for saying that he is "blacker than Barack Obama" to Senator Harry Reid's comments in 2008 about the advantages of the President Obama's light skin and lack of a "Negro dialect," we continue the dialogue on race sparked by recent controversies. "Was it Racism? 2009" -- The Chicago Reporter

We talk to a local filmmaker whose highly acclaimed documentary about the Iraq war debuts on DVD today. Brothers at War

When in trouble, quote poetry. We examine Governor Blagojevich's recent poetic urges at his press conferences. Rudyard Kipling's "If" (1910) Lord Alfred Tennyson's "Ulysses" (1842) Robert Browning's "Waring" (1842) Thomas Chatterton's "The Resignation"

Former governor Rod Blagojevich has been getting some flack for some comments he made in an interview with Esquire magazine. We take a look at the full article. Read Esquire's interview with Rod Blagojevich

Early voting for the February 2 primary kicked off today. Eddie Arruza headed out to some of the early voting sites to see how the first day went. Early voting locations in Chicago Early voting locations in suburban Cook County

Mayor Daley and Governor Quinn announced their proposal to change some of the rules governing McCormick Place in order to attract more convention business. Elizabeth Brackett tells us what changes could be in store and what opposition they face.

Is video gambling about to come to Chicago? Can the state really rely on gambling revenue to help fund a $31 billion construction plan? Carol Marin and her panel take a look.

Tonight's panel discusses the week's top headlines: the Chicago Sun-Times endorses Governor Quinn in the upcoming primary election; the University of Illinois is in a major cash crunch; a lawsuit claims that the CTA's funding formula is racist; many McPier employees are making six-figure salaries as conventions flock from pricey McCormick Place; the Bears stand by beleaguered head coach Lovie Smith; and Cubs legend Andre Dawson is heading to the Hall of Fame. Guests:

What will it take to get Springfield's attention about the dire state of Illinois' budget? Eddie Arruza sits down with a panel of legislators, who give us their take on what can, and should, be done. Contact Your Legislators

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on a lawsuit filed today that claims Illinois' way of funding mass transit is discriminating against blacks and Hispanics.

Can Michigan and other Midwest states actually sue Illinois to halt the spread of Asian carp to the Great Lakes? Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says they can't, and she tells us why. Asian carp lawsuit filed against Illinois Attorney General Madigan's response to Asian carp lawsuit

If you go bowling in Illinois, there's a new state law that could affect you. Eddie Arruza reviews some of the new laws that went into effect on January 1st.

The failed terrorist attack aboard a plane on Christmas Day has sparked plenty of questions about airport security and why it has taken so long to implement some of the key recommendations by the 9/11 Commission. Carol Marin sits down with former governor Jim Thompson, one of its members. Read the 9/11 Commission Report 9/11 Commission Report Recommendations

The long-running case pitting the City of Chicago against those who took the 1995 firefighters exam finally goes to the U.S. Supreme Court in February. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.