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Will there be a health care reform bill on the President's desk this month? Is there another stimulus plan on the horizon? How is the Afghanistan surge working? Elizabeth Brackett asks the man working on the answers to all of those questions -- Senator Dick Durbin.

Heated racial rhetoric has dominated the headlines lately. From Rod Blagojevich's apology for saying that he is "blacker than Barack Obama" to Senator Harry Reid's comments in 2008 about the advantages of the President Obama's light skin and lack of a "Negro dialect," we continue the dialogue on race sparked by recent controversies. "Was it Racism? 2009" -- The Chicago Reporter

We visit the huge art collection of Chicago entrepreneur and Flashpoint Academy President and CEO Howard Tullman. View the collection

We talk to a local filmmaker whose highly acclaimed documentary about the Iraq war debuts on DVD today. Brothers at War

When in trouble, quote poetry. We examine Governor Blagojevich's recent poetic urges at his press conferences. Rudyard Kipling's "If" (1910) Lord Alfred Tennyson's "Ulysses" (1842) Robert Browning's "Waring" (1842) Thomas Chatterton's "The Resignation"

Former governor Rod Blagojevich has been getting some flack for some comments he made in an interview with Esquire magazine. We take a look at the full article. Read Esquire's interview with Rod Blagojevich

Early voting for the February 2 primary kicked off today. Eddie Arruza headed out to some of the early voting sites to see how the first day went. Early voting locations in Chicago Early voting locations in suburban Cook County

Mayor Daley and Governor Quinn announced their proposal to change some of the rules governing McCormick Place in order to attract more convention business. Elizabeth Brackett tells us what changes could be in store and what opposition they face.

Is video gambling about to come to Chicago? Can the state really rely on gambling revenue to help fund a $31 billion construction plan? Carol Marin and her panel take a look.

What are local broadcasters saying about Jay Leno being ousted from prime time? WBBM Newsradio 780's Kris Kridel fills us in when she discusses the week's top business news.

A new program launching in Chicago sends working artists into communities that don't ordinarily see such luxuries. We meet one musician whose job description goes way beyond just teaching music.

There's a myth that new cars can come with a three-day "cooling off" contract for buyers. We talk to Chicago Sun-Times "Fixer" Stephanie Zimmermann about what is driving those rumors. Better Business Bureau Annual Credit Report Read The Fixer's column

His voice was synonymous with Chicago area motor sports. Jan Gabriel died yesterday. We revisit our 2004 profile of this master showman.

Tonight's panel discusses the week's top headlines: the Chicago Sun-Times endorses Governor Quinn in the upcoming primary election; the University of Illinois is in a major cash crunch; a lawsuit claims that the CTA's funding formula is racist; many McPier employees are making six-figure salaries as conventions flock from pricey McCormick Place; the Bears stand by beleaguered head coach Lovie Smith; and Cubs legend Andre Dawson is heading to the Hall of Fame. Guests:

Eddie Arruza sits down with Carl Kasell, the official judge and scorekeeper on National Public Radio's hit news trivia show, "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!"

Jay Shefsky goes outside to look at the tribulations and joy brought by the snowstorm.

What will it take to get Springfield's attention about the dire state of Illinois' budget? Eddie Arruza sits down with a panel of legislators, who give us their take on what can, and should, be done. Contact Your Legislators

What effect has Chicago's lone Walmart had on the local economy? As the debate for more Walmarts in the city heats up, we show you what a new study says. "The Impact of an Urban Walmart Store on Area Businesses: An Evaluation of One Chicago Neighborhood's Experience"

Elizabeth Brackett reports on the popular Chicago institution's 75 years of serving "cheezborgers" to Chicago. Billy Goat Tavern

Our resident Chicago expert Geoffrey Baer answers your questions, including one about the painted forest in Lincoln Park. "Painted Forest" 22 E. Jackson

We preview Eddie Arruza's "Friday Night Show" interview with Carl Kasell, official judge and scorekeeper for National Public Radio's hit news trivia show "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!"

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

Can Michigan and other Midwest states actually sue Illinois to halt the spread of Asian carp to the Great Lakes? Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says they can't, and she tells us why. Asian carp lawsuit filed against Illinois Attorney General Madigan's response to Asian carp lawsuit

Elizabeth Brackett has the latest on a lawsuit filed today that claims Illinois' way of funding mass transit is discriminating against blacks and Hispanics.

Praised for his paintings, a renowned Chicago artist goes back to the drawing board to create a comic strip. Kerry James Marshall at the Smart Museum

The Twitter generation meets literary classics and creates "Twitterature." We talk to some University of Chicago students who have written a book that will make you tweet for mercy.