Illinois Rep. Jim Durkin talks about his new role as the minority leader of the Illinois House. View a timeline of his career.

Former Chicago Bears pro-bowl lineman James “Big Cat” Williams joins Ann Kreiter to kick off another season of Big Cat and the Bears. Watch a web extra video.

With regimes toppling in the Middle East and new global powers emerging, political transformations are challenging the notion of democracy as the best system of governance. In his new book, Intelligent Governance for the 21st Century, “homeless billionaire” Nicolas Berggruen explores perceptions and practices of both the East and West to find what constitutes good governance. Read an excerpt and an interview.

How do tech incubators work, and what’s the real story behind this growing scene in Chicago? Our panel of experts – from both universities and private incubators -- weigh in. View a map of tech incubator locations in Chicago.

We share your thoughts on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's visit to Chicago in tonight's viewer feedback.

The announcement to bring a Whole Foods Market to Englewood has angered some local residents. Paris Schutz explains the controversy, and has more on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's decision to keep Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson for another year.

According to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four cardiovascular deaths – that is, 200,000 of 800,000 – are completely preventable. What more can be done to save these lives? We gather some leading experts for a frank assessment of heart disease in America. View graphs of data on heart disease.

Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady has a new gig. He is going to lobby state lawmakers to pass same-sex marriage on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union. He talks about this next chapter.

A $50 million renovation and restoration project for the Illinois Capitol building is nearly complete. But are all the improvements justified given the state’s fiscal woes? We have analysis. Read the project description and historical decisions document from the architect.

The new Art Institute of Chicago exhibition, Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity, is the first of its kind to look exclusively at the ways in which the Impressionists used fashion to communicate the idea of "modern." View a slideshow and read excerpts from the fashion catalogue.

We revisit a conversation and performance with Cellist Yo-Yo Ma. View a behind-the-scenes slideshow of Yo-Yo Ma's visit to our studio and watch web extra videos.

Having laid out his case for a limited military strike in Syria, President Obama now turns to Congress to authorize his mission. What are the odds of a U.S. strike on Syria, where President al-Assad allegedly used chemical weapons last month and killed 1,400 civilians? And is this strike within American interests after more than a decade of constant war? Elizabeth Brackett and her guests discuss the uncertain path ahead. Watch web extra videos.

Gov. Pat Quinn's rapid transit task force meets for the first time to assess the area's troubled transit boards. We have the details on what task force members and the public had to say.