Governor Quinn signed Illinois's first campaign finance reform legislation on the one-year anniversary of Governor Blagojevich's arrest. Rich Samuels has the details.

What does it mean when the State of Illinois's bond rating is lowered? It happened yesterday, and Carol Marin and her panel discuss the impact. Moody's lowers Illinois's bond rating

Prosecutors in the case against former Governor Rod Blagojevich are revising their indictment because the anti-fraud law they are using is facing a Supreme Court challenge. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a closer look at the impact this may have on the upcoming trial.

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Dueling Democrats turning up the rhetoric in the governor's race; Illinois trying to stave off an Asian carp invasion; Cook County commissioners slash president Todd Stroger's controversial sales tax hike; Chicago's rainy-day parking meter fund is nearly depleted already; Brian Urlacher has some harsh criticism for the Bears woes; and the Tiger Woods saga is drawing worldwide attention. Guests:

In an exclusive interview with the Chicago News Cooperative, Todd Stroger talks about racism, what he feels is a biased media, and a silent Mayor Daley. Eddie Arruza talks to the reporter who got the interview.

We hear your thoughts on our conversation with PBS travel expert Rick Steves when we read some viewer mail.

The City Council passed Mayor Daley's $6.1 billion 2010 budget today. It includes no new taxes thanks to a dip into reserve funds. Carol Marin and her panel take a look at how the city is spending its money. 2010 budget summary

President Obama reveals his strategy for Afghanistan. Just how many more troops will be heading overseas? We have the president's remarks live.

Today is the first day on the job for the city's new Inspector General. Joseph Ferguson sits down with Carol Marin to discuss the new position, his career path and much more. City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General

Rich Samuels was with the mayor today. He tells us what was on the mayor's mind.

Chicago implemented tax increment financing as a way to redevelop communities throughout the city. But now, a proposed TIF district in the heart of downtown has some citizens and an alderman questioning whether or not the area deserves such funds. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts recently presented Cook County's top Judge Timothy Evans a prestigious award for judicial excellence. Judge Evans will be here to discuss the honor and more.

Last week the Chicago Tribune revealed that city aldermen have access to a secret, unsupervised payroll that many have been using to pay family members and friends. Carol Marin and her panel, which includes some aldermen, discuss this secret fund. "Chicago City Council uses stealth payroll for family, operatives, those with heat"--Chicago Tribune 11/19/09

Joel and his panel discuss the week's top headlines: Oprah Winfrey ending her talk show in 2011; Chicago School Board President Michael Scott's apparent suicide shocks the city; the Cook County Board votes to roll back the controversial sales tax hike; major conventions continue to leave McCormick Place for less expensive locales; and the Bears season on life support. Guests:

We get an exclusive look at the Chicago News Cooperative's investigation into the profits of the city's parking meter deal.

Mayor Daley stormed out of a City Hall press conference after questions about the death of School Board President Michael Scott. Rich Samuels tells us what was said.