Mayor Daley held a press conference today about the city budget. He says he is returning $50 million to the parking meter long-term reserves. Ash-har Quraishi has the story. City budget website

One day before the president comes to town for a series of re-election fundraisers, he lays out his plan for deficit reduction. Carol Marin and her panel have more on what it means, and how it ties into his re-election strategy. What cuts should be made to reduce the deficit?

Gas prices are rising, but is there any relief in sight? We talk about the financial pain at the pump, and if $4 dollars or more per gallon is now the new normal.

The Civil War began 150 years ago today and the young metropolis of Chicago played many roles in the conflict. Eddie Arruza explores some of the ways the city and state took part in the war that ended slavery in the U.S. and tested the resilience of the nation.

As budget talks draw to a close for now, it will be a busy week for the president as he begins his re-election bid with major fundraising here in Chicago. Carol Marin and her panel will discuss this, and the winners and losers in the budget showdown. Fundraising Kickoff in Chicago

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel-backed candidates win big in Tuesday's aldermanic runoff election, and he also responds to emperor claims. Mayor Daley and Emanuel speak out against concealed carry legislation. Meanwhile, Caterpillar, one of the state's largest manufacturer's says it will stay put in Peoria. And in sports, the Cubs and Sox open the baseball season, while the Bulls look to finish strong -- and on top of the Eastern Conference. Guests:

The Chicago City Council will be getting many new members next month but what's on the mind of some veteran aldermen? Eddie Arruza will talk to two of them. Alderman Joe Moore: 49th ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz: 22nd ward

ProPublica reporter and former South Asia bureau chief for the Chicago Tribune Kim Barker discusses her new book, “The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan.” The memoir chronicles her experiences covering conflicts in the two countries.

The makeover of the Chicago City Council is now complete and the change will be dramatic. Yesterday's runoff elections brought some surprises with four incumbents going down to defeat. Eddie Arruza talks with several of the aldermanic newcomers.

Wilmette was one of just a few suburban communities to pass a school funding referendum yesterday. We take a look at key election results from the suburbs. Information on the referendum

There's an increasingly bitter debate going on in one of Chicago's wealthiest suburbs. We hear about the Village of Winnetka's affordable housing proposal, and why some opponents say it will bring criminals to the North Shore community.

Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel is warning Chicago unions: He wants longer school days and fewer absences from laborers. We hear from both the Chicago Teachers Union and the union that represents Chicago Streets and Sanitation workers. Local mom reactions to longer school days Are you for or against longer school days?

After the polling places close, we have the latest results in the Aldermanic Runoff Elections. Aldermanic Runoff Elections page Chicago Board of Elections website

Chicago's inspector general continues finding waste and mismanagement in city departments, from truck drivers sleeping on the job to missing medicines from city clinics. Eddie Arruza talks to Joseph Ferguson about his recent reports. Chicago Inspector General's website

This week on Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, the CHA's most notorious public housing project, Cabrini-Green, is being torn down. Mayor Daley's trying to slash costs, this time by cutting rat patrol crews. Meanwhile, Chicago's Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle discuss consolidating elections and health care service to save millions. Winnetka debates affordable housing there. Illinois schools are hoarding billions in cash. And in sports, baseball is back! Guests:

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