The fall veto session kicked off today in Springfield. With major hits to state labor, the casino bill and potential utility hikes all on the table, lawmakers have their work cut out for them. Carol Marin joins us live from Springfield.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's new budget includes layoffs and tax hikes. President Preckwinkle is here and she'll tell us how she plans to get it passed.

The Chicago Transit Authority will not increase fares or cut services in 2012 under a budget proposal outlined Wednesday by CTA President Forrest Claypool. But the plan relies heavily on union cooperation.  Ash-har Quraishi has the story.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel unveils some surprising proposals to close Chicago's massive budget gap. So who'll feel the most pain? Carol Marin is joined by City Council members, and then we take a look at the specifics of the plan and whether it's the best way out of the city's $636 million shortfall.

There’s no good news on the Illinois budget, says the state's comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Despite a hefty tax increase and new budget cuts, the state will still face an $8 billion budget hole next year. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Could the city's massive budget shortfall lead to closing Chicago police stations? The top cop says it could happen. Eddie Arruza and his panel look at the economics of public safety.

How would you cut Chicago's budget? We share some of your ideas in tonight's Viewer Mail.

More efficient garbage collection remains one possible way to help solve the city's budget shortfall of more than $600 million. Carol Marin takes up the budget debate with a group of Chicago aldermen.

In the ongoing chess game between Gov. Pat Quinn and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle -- the governor makes his move: announcing major cuts and layoffs. He says it's up to the General Assembly to stop them. Paris Schutz has reaction to today's announcement.

Gov. Pat Quinn says he'll implement massive layoffs and the closing of some state facilities this week in response to a $2 billion budget shortfall. Eddie Arruza gets reaction to the dramatic move from state lawmakers. 

On the eve of his 100th day as Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel issues a list of accomplishments so far. But how much of his checklist is still incomplete? Eddie Arruza reports.