U.S. Supreme Court justices were deeply divided during oral arguments on the issue of same-sex marriage. The key question: Does the Constitution guarantee gay and lesbian couples the right to marry? Four former clerks weigh in.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard the first round of oral arguments today over the constitutionality of a pension law that cuts state employees' benefits.

In a surprise move, the U.S Supreme Court started its new term by deciding not to hear any of the same-sex marriage petitions before it. Our panel takes a closer look at what the Court's decision means.

We take a look at some of the Supreme Court rulings so far during this session, and preview what cases are to come.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on a number of cases with far-reaching implications. We preview the most contentious cases this term that will be ruled on next week and how this will affect future cases moving forward.

The Supreme Court's decision on May 5 upheld the right to public prayer in civic settings. Does the close 5-4 vote indicate a new tilt toward conservatism? Is the decision an expansion of rights for communities? 

The Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state’s strict eavesdropping law that made audio recording anyone in public illegal without consent. The court ruled that the law "criminalizes a wide range of innocent conduct." We have analysis from Harvey Grossman, Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. Read the court's opinion and watch Paris Schutz's 2011 story on the Eavesdropping Law.

The Supreme Court’s new term started the first Monday in October. The court docket includes hot-button cases on political campaign contributions, abortion rights, free speech, affirmative action, public prayer and presidential power. We hear from three former Supreme Court clerks about the issues before the court and how cases are chosen.

We share what you had to say about the demolition of St. James Catholic Church and the city's new Divvy bike sharing program in tonight's viewer feedback.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act in a 5-4 ruling. The 1996 law blocked federal recognition of same-sex marriages. In a separate case, the court ruled that it could not take up a challenge to Proposition 8, the California law banning gay marriage. Read the full opinions.

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is considered a landmark in civil rights legislation. The 5-4 ruling declared that the formula for preclearance is unconstitutional and unnecessary. Read the full opinion and reaction.

The Supreme Court punts a case on affirmative action in college admissions back down to the lower court. Read the decision.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that human genes are off-limits for patent protection. Read the full opinion, and a Q&A with a bioethics professor about the impact of the ruling on the medical community.

A bell rings through the chambers of the nine justices of the Supreme Court just five minutes before they take their seats in the courtroom to hear arguments in the day’s cases. The sound reminds them that it is time to go to the robing room, an oak-paneled room, containing nine closets, each with a brass nameplate of the justice whose robes are inside. As soon as more than one justice enters, the traditional handshake in which each justice shakes hands with each of the other eight begins.

The Roberts Court has become the most conservative Supreme Court in decades--but acts in distinctly unconservative ways, writes Marcia Coyle. She joins us.

She was the woman behind Bush v. Gore and several landmark cases on the Supreme Court. We go one-on-one with retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.