According to a new research study from the Pew Center on the States, Illinois is one of ten states in fiscal peril. Can anything be done to get the state out of its current mess, and do lawmakers have the political will to do it? Eddie Arruza and his panel take a look. Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril -- Download a PDF of the report

Thanks to a deal with the state, CTA fare hikes have been averted. But, there still could be service cuts. Rich Samuels brings us the good news and the bad.

A new study finds that two-thirds of Chicago police officers accused of misconduct have actually kept their jobs. Carol Marin sits down with the study's author and the head of the Chicago Police Board. Chicago Police Board: A 10-Year Analysis--The Chicago Justice Project Read the executive summary of the study

Houses of worship and private schools have been receiving state tax dollars, and this has reignited the church-state debate. We talk with a state representative who has helped send money to a Jesuit-run high school and an ACLU member with concerns about the practice.

Cook County Board President Todd Stroger and one of his challengers, Dorothy Brown, launched battles to have each other knocked off the February Democratic primary ballot. Candidate Danny Davis quit the county race to instead run for re-election to Congress. Rich Samuels has the latest on the race for Cook County Board president.

Sarah Palin remains one of the most polarizing figures in American politics. Now two campaign reporters from Fox News and CBS have come together to write a revealing book about her. We talk with them about their book and the sudden rise of Sarah Palin. Sarah From Alaska Upcoming book signing

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: President Obama marks the one-year anniversary of his election; former Attorney General Jim Ryan launches another gubernatorial bid; CTA drivers may strike over threatened layoffs; the agency that runs McCormick Place and Navy Pier is battered by the weak economy; and Bears fans are worried about the team's lack of offense. Guests:

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

Illinois's parental notice abortion law is on hold. Rich Samuels brings us the latest on a controversial Cook County Circuit Court ruling handed down late this afternoon.

Will it soon cost six dollars for a round-trip ride on the CTA? Today CTA President Richard Rodriguez presented the transit agency's 2010 budget to the Cook County Board. We talk to him about the challenges mass transit is facing in Chicago.

For years, Black Panther Fred Hampton's death was cloaked in mystery. But an attorney who once represented Hampton will be here to discuss his new book about the slain Chicago civil rights activist.

Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan announced his campaign for Governor. Rich Samuels has reaction from other Republicans vying for the job.

Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at how the race for Illinois Governor is shaping up.

We hear from the author of a new book that shines a spotlight on the voters who helped President Obama get elected. Destiny Calling: How The People Elected Barack Obama

The veto session in Springfield has ended, but there are many issues the state continues to face, namely the state budget. Carol Marin and her panel of lawmakers discuss the state's fiscal challenges and more.

You can tell a lot about a president by how they play poker, says Chicago-based author James McManus. We talk to him about his new book Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker.