Awaiting the white smoke in the never-ending U.S. House speaker sweepstakes. Illinois House members pass an assault weapons ban in the middle of the night. And the Bears' season mercifully comes to an end.

Despite confusion over cash bail, the rest of the SAFE-T Act has gone into effect. We take a look at what it does. The impact of property tax hikes in Logan Square. And James "Big Cat" Williams grades the Bears season.

Why Howard Brown Health staffers are on the picket line. An increase in opioid deaths in Cook County. The standoff on Capitol Hill in Spotlight Politics. And drying out for January.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on a host of issues facing the city. The latest on injured Buffalo player Damar Hamlin. The law eliminating cash bail is on pause. And the U.S. House Speaker vote devolves into chaos.

From a wide-open mayoral contest to major issues on the agenda statewide like guns and abortion, to the economic picture, and the outlook in local sports — we recap the year that was and look into our crystal ball to 2023.

The latest on a judge’s ruling striking down the law to end cash bail. More new laws to know for 2023. The latest on the Southwest Airlines fiasco. And a new ranking of the greatest movies of all time.

A look at the gains labor unions made in 2022. A Trump-era immigration order will stick around for now. A local architect known for her public spaces wins a coveted award. And a local TikTok star makes a career reviewing food.

What’s causing all those canceled Southwest flights? U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley on Zelenskyy’s visit to Congress. Inside a rash of police officer suicides. And the outlook for Chicago’s housing market in 2023.

Brutal cold blasts Chicago during the busiest travel days of the year. Gun rights advocates protest assault weapons ban proposal. Two dead in a shooting outside Juarez High School. And Cubs and Sox sign big free agents.

The snow's here, now comes the cold and wind. COVID on the rise with the holidays in sight. How surrogate babies came to Chicago from war-torn Ukraine. And one-on-one with Santa about the diversity of Santas.

How Chicagoans are preparing as extreme cold temps approach. The role of police district council members, up for election in February. Spotlight Politics on the assault weapons ban and outgoing politicians.

What to expect from this week's anticipated blizzard. Lawmakers get an earful from gun rights advocates. The controversy over encrypting police scanners. And should Chicago residents switch from gas to electric heat?

The debate over cops in schools reignites after a shooting near a high school. The Jane Byrne Interchange is finally complete — almost. Jesse White on his retirement. And housing the homeless as bitter temperatures approach.

The long-awaited Red Line extension and Chicago casino take major leaps forward. Is the Jane Byrne interchange finally finished? And García and Lightfoot attacked for ties to Sam Bankman-Fried.

Accusations of racism in the Cook County property tax sale. Health care and politics mix at a South Side safety net hospital. We’re in Altgeld Gardens for In Your Neighborhood. And the voice of the Bulls, Chuck Swirsky.

The fate of funding for the massive southern extension of the Red Line. Immigrants who are victims of crimes are being denied visas even though they're entitled. And a new community hub for South and West Side families.