Wednesday is a make-or-break day for candidates running for office in 2016. The powerful Cook County Democratic Organization met for what is their traditional slating session. Which candidates won the coveted endorsement and how does it bode for 2016?

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle won a victory Wednesday after the county board narrowly signed off on her controversial sales tax hike, but there might be some legal and political risks. We’ll talk with the Civic Federation president Laurence Msall and Nick Kachiroubas, an assistant professor at DePaul University’s School of Public Service.

Cook County Commissioners approved Wednesday a 1-percent increase in the county portion of the sales tax, which brings Chicago’s sales tax to 10.25 percent. President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed penny-on-the-dollar sales tax was approved by a vote of 9-7.

Former State Rep. H. Woods “Woody” Bowman died Friday evening after his car crashed in Van Buren County, Mich. His wife, Michele Thompson, was seriously injured in the accident.

The Cook County Board will soon vote on whether or not to increase the sales tax, as proposed by Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and Cook County CFO Ivan Samstein join us tonight to share their thoughts on the proposed tax hike.

We share what you had to say about Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s proposed 1 percent sales tax, Chase Bank’s decision to no longer accept pocket change, and the death of Jerry Roper, former president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Facing a budget crunch, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is proposing a 1 percent hike to the county sales tax. She'll likely face a tough time finding the nine board member votes she needs to get the tax passed. Preckwinkle joins Chicago Tonight to talk about the budget.

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?

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will discuss what last week's Illinois Supreme Court ruling means for her plan to change the county's pension system. 

There’s good and bad news for Cook County's troubled jail system. Paris Schutz has more on the changing landscape of the Cook County criminal justice system amid some political hardball between top county officials. What progress is being made?

Toni Preckwinkle is heading into her second term as president of the Cook County Board. She hopes to reform juvenile criminal justice and reduce the daily jail population, and has goals for the regional economy and public health. She joins us.

Toni Preckwinkle explains her proposed 2015 budget which contains no new taxes, fines or fees for the second consecutive year.

Karen Lewis stops by to discuss her political future and more. 

As Toni Preckwinkle gears up to keep her job as Cook County Board president, she is faced with a number of issues. We ask about some of her greatest challenges and where she plans to go from here.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said she will not run for Mayor of Chicago in 2015. 

A major shake-up in the race for mayor, as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle decides she is "ruling out" a run. Paris Schutz has more from Preckwinkle and the fallout.