Illinois' newest U.S. Senator, Republican Mark Kirk, votes to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Chicago Sun-Times Washington D.C. bureau chief Lynn Sweet joins us to talk about this and other congressional actions.

The Renaissance Schools Fund wants to raise $40 million in the next five years for more charter schools, but proposals for four new charter schools were withdrawn at last week's contentious Chicago Public Schools Board meeting. Elizabeth Brackett and her panel take a look at the debate over charter schools.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review hosted by Phil Ponce: Mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel spent almost 12 hours testifying at a hearing to determine whether he can stay on the February ballot, and the questioning ranged from the serious to the comical. His tenant contradicted some of Emanuel's testimony about the possessions the family left behind. And in a strange twist, Emanuel's real estate broker testified that the tenants demanded $100,000 to vacate the house.

Eddie Arruza has the latest from the final day of the hearing on Rahm Emanuel's residency.

Chicagoans drive on Lake Shore Drive every day without realizing the history beneath them. A new book recounts the long tale of Lake Shore Drive -- we talk with the authors. Chicago's Lake Shore Drive: Urban America's Most Beautiful Roadway

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists look back at the year in a special year-end edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review.

Eddie Arruza has the latest from day two of the hearing concerning Rahm Emanuel's residency.

The threat from Asian carp has prompted a re-examination of the Chicago-area waterway system. One proposal involves permanently separating the Great Lakes watershed from the Mississippi River watershed, but not by closing the locks. Elizabeth Brackett has the story.

Rahm Emanuel took the stand during the today's hearing. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest from the testimony.

Will Rahm Emanuel be forced from the ballot? Elizabeth Brackett has the latest from today's Election Board hearing.

How does Rahm Emanuel's residency fight impact the other contenders in the race for mayor? Carol Marin and her panel take a look.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: Chicago celebrates the life and legacy of Cubs great Ron Santo. Is Rahm Emanuel ducking debates as his legal team prepares to fend off the dozens who are bent on knocking him off the ballot? New Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios is under fire for hiring his son and sister after his swearing-in -- they join his daughter, who is already on his staff. Opponents want to blow away the winter tradition of claiming dibs on shoveled parking spaces.

Could Illinois Republicans agree to a tax hike? We talk to a panel of lawmakers about how they plan to solve a state budget crisis that is among the worst in the nation.

Election officials have thousands of petition signatures to sort through and hundreds of ballot challenges to deal with. Now Mayor Daley calling on the Feds to investigate fraud. We take a closer look at the ballot challenge process.

There are five fewer candidates for mayor today. Elizabeth Brackett tells us who is off the ballot and why.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week In Review: legendary Cubs third baseman and broadcaster Ron Santo dies in Arizona; the Illinois legislature passes Civil Unions, granting same-sex couples some of the same rights as those currently married; police and firefighter pension reform also passes; Mark Kirk is sworn in as Illinois' junior U.S. senator; and controversial Cook County Board President Todd Stroger is out. Chicago-based Groupon is targeted to be gobbled up by Google for more than $5 billion.