Former Chicago City Inspector General David Hoffman joins Carol Marin to talk about why he wants to be Illinois's new Senator. David Hoffman's website

Many questions remain surrounding the death of former Blagojevich advisor Christopher Kelly. Was it suicide? Eddie Arruza brings us the latest.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Chicago finds out its Olympic fate in just 3 weeks; President Obama takes his health care fight directly to the people; Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is plagued by poor poll numbers; the bidder for the Chicago Sun-Times is calling for major union concessions; Oprah Winfrey takes over Michigan Avenue; Bulls great Michael Jordan is enshrined in the Hall of Fame; and the Bears open the season against the Green Bay Packers. Guests:

Last night President Obama made his healthcare reform pitch before a joint session of Congress. We have local reaction to the address, plus analysis from political speechwriter Jason DeSanto. Watch President Obama's September 9 health care speech.

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"Ambitious but achievable." That's how the International Olympic Committee rates Chicago's bid for the 2016 Games in a report issued today. With one month left until the final selection, the IOC says Chicago still has some obstacles to overcome. We find out what those obstacles are. Guests:

The Cook County Board failed to roll back President Todd Stroger's controversial sales tax hike. Rich Samuels has the latest on this battle at the County Board. Chicago Sun-Times: Stroger sales-tax rollback veto stands (09/01/09)

Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes made his bid for Governor official today. Carol Marin and her political roundtable discuss Governor Pat Quinn's latest gubernatorial challenger and more. Guests:

Although its' release date meant it wasn't supposed to hit the shelves until next week, the memoirs of former governor Rod Blagojevich appeared in select bookstores today. Elizabeth Brackett, author of the first Blagojevich book, explains what he writes about his filling of President Obama's Senate seat and more -- in four words, he says it's not his fault. More on Elizabeth's book, Pay to Play

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

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Senator Ted Kennedy remembered; Mayor Daley apologizes yet again for the controversial parking meter deal; Chicago's inspector general David Hoffman runs for the U.S. Senate; Governor Quinn backs off his threat to fire the final two University of Illinois Trustee holdouts; Illinois braces for the swine flu; Bears quarterback Jay Cutler takes on his old team, the Broncos; and has Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley been the subject of racial taunts by Cubs fans? Guests:

Governor Quinn named two people to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, including Merchandise Mart CEO Chris Kennedy. Rich Samuels has the latest on those appointments, and what the Governor plans to do about the two Trustees who refuse to resign. Web Exclusive: Watch Gov. Quinn's full press conference

George Ryan's convicted top aide, Scott Fawell, speaks out publicly for the first time since his incarceration. Carol Marin goes one-on-one with Fawell about why he turned against his former boss and what he's learned from his time in prison. Guests: Scott Fawell Andrea Coutretsis

The "Lion of the Senate" has been lost. Senator Edward Kennedy died late last night at the age of 77 after battling brain cancer for the past year. Political commentator Jim Warren, a friend of the Kennedys, joins us for a look back at the Senator's life. Guest: Jim Warren - MSNBC political analyst

The Mayor admits that the city messed up when it came to implementing Chicago's parking meter lease deal. Rich Samuels tells us why Mayor Daley is still insisting it was a good financial move for the city.

Illinois Republicans have a new chairman, and state Democrats are concerned about losing President Obama's old Senate seat. Our panel of journalists takes a look at the state's top political stories. Guests: