From City Hall to the halls of Congress, 2017 has been a transformative year. Chicago Tonight recaps the top stories of the year.

A staff shakeup in the Rauner administration. Big layoffs predicted after Cook County’s soda tax is blocked in court. New owners at the Chicago Sun-Times. Big changes ahead for Lake Shore Drive. And in sports, a major crosstown trade.

Still no budget out of Springfield. Shootings and murders dip in May. The Chicago Bulls ship Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and a rare allergy puts Chicago Blackhawks’ Marian Hossa out the for season—and perhaps permanently.

No budget for a third consecutive year. J.B. Pritzker caught on FBI tapes seeking a political appointment. And will Tiger Woods’ DUI derail his Chicago golf course plans? These stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.

J.B. Pritzker launches his bid for Illinois governor. The U.S. Senate uses the “nuclear option” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. And baseball season gets underway. These stories and more with Paris Schutz and guests. 

We share what you had to say about Paris Schutz’s interview with Mayor Rahm Emanuel when we read some of our viewer feedback.

Could Chicagoans soon be paying higher taxes for sugary drinks? We'll tell you about that and other items Chicago's City Council took up today.

The state's failure to reach a budget agreement has caused a government shutdown, and now top officials are hashing out in court what exactly can and can't stay open. Medicaid and social service providers are in limbo wondering if they and other government providers will be able to make payroll and stay open, as the legislative standoff drags on. 

Chicago Public Schools was able to make its $634 million pension payment on Tuesday after using borrowed funds and cutting 1,400 jobs. Paris Schutz has the latest on CPS’ funding crisis, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s long-term plan to address how school districts and teachers’ pensions are funded.

Disgraced former Illinois congressman Mel Reynolds is in trouble with the law once again. In an indictment released today, Reynolds is charged with failing to file tax returns between 2009-2012. 

Lawmakers and the governor are now back to square one on the state budget, just five days before a potential state government shutdown. Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed all but the education portion of the budget sent to him by the General Assembly, saying it was $4 billion out of whack. But the governor also offered to compromise on big ticket items. Can a deal be saved? 

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle sounds off on why she wants to raise the sales tax 1 percent. Will she have support from the board to do it?

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins Chicago Tonight to talk about the pension payment owed by CPS next week, the school system and city's budget deficits, and whether he expects any good news from Springfield.

City Council Approves $1.1 Billion Borrowing Plan

The City of Chicago is expanding the planned parade route for the 2015 Stanley Cup Champions. Paris Schutz details why the route is being doubled and the City Council’s vote to approve a $1.1 billion borrowing plan.

Chicago is going back to the banks to borrow more than $1 billion, despite its recent junk bond status. Paris Schutz details why the city's chief financial officer says it's necessary.  

With billions of new revenue needed over the next few years to fund pensions, is a city income tax on the table? We get reaction from aldermen and budget experts.