Millions of Americans are likely to see their payroll taxes go up in January. We hear from both Illinois U.S. senators about the prospects for a deal.

Suburban poverty has exploded over the last 10 years. Census data now shows there are more poor people in the suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area than in the city. Elizabeth Brackett looks at what that means for the newly poor, and for the public and private agencies trying to meet their rising needs.

We speak with two of Chicago's financial leaders -- the city budget director and comptroller -- about how they've overachieved their budget, and what's next for Chicago in 2012.

A Chicago organization aims to dispel misperceptions about Islam and its followers through the power of television. Ash-har Quraishi talks to the organizers and shows us their plan.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to avoid the kind of clashes with protesters that occurred at past G-8 and NATO Summits. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel look at the benefits and possible problems that await the city in May.

Does the new Inspector General of the Chicago City Council have the ability to fulfill his job description? We talk with the man himself to discuss the future of his new position.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

A new federal grant aimed at speeding up travel time between Chicago's downtown and O'Hare airport was announced on Thursday. Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

After months of acrimony and racial undertones, a powerful alderman says there is consensus on a plan to redraw the city's 50 wards. Paris Schutz has the latest on that, and other news from an action-packed day at Chicago City Council.

Will Rod Blagojevich spend his 14-year sentence behind bars in a Colorado federal prison? That's what his lawyers want. Elizabeth Brackett talks with a prison consultant, who is a former federal inmate himself. He tells us about his experience.

We asked if you think taxpayers should be footing the bill for disabled parking. We read what some of you had to say in Viewer Mail.

City taxpayers are on the hook for more money to the company that leased the parking meters. We have more on the mayor's reaction, and why this may just be the tip of the iceberg. Paris Schutz reports.

At last, Illinois lawmakers voted Tuesday to give CME and Sears $100 million in combined tax breaks, as well as substantial tax breaks to the working poor.

Sears and the CME group are a step closer to getting their tax breaks. You might be too. We hear from two state senators who will vote on Tuesday.

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists discuss the week's top headlines.

Robert Blagojevich spoke to us by phone on Thursday. Read what the brother of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich had to say in our web-exclusive interview.