Illinois is in its fifth month without a state budget and Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner have traded barbs—and possibly some dead fish—over how to resolve the impasse that is sucking all of the oxygen up in Springfield. We talk with "Chicago Tonight" reporters Paris Shutz and Amanda Vinicky, and WBEZ political reporter Tony Arnold. 

Four out of 10 Chicago Public Schools principals say they are very likely to leave their jobs in the next three years. A new report from The Chicago Public Education Fund surveyed 65 percent of district principals and found four key ways to keep the city's best school leaders on the job longer. Brandis Friedman has the details.

Enrollment is now open for health insurance through the Get Covered Illinois marketplace. The Midwest regional director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tells us what to look for when reconsidering or shopping for a health insurance policy under the Affordable Care Act.

The award-winning author discusses his latest book–also the newest One Book, One Chicago selection–a sweeping history of his hometown, subtitled "When Chicago Built the American Dream."

Chicago is not defined solely by its human residents. It’s a city with a living, evolving "ecological web of interactions" between man and animal, according to Gavin Van Horn. He joins "Chicago Tonight" to talk about "City Creatures," a book which details urban wildlife history through essays, poetry, photography and paintings.

Chicago teachers begin steps toward another possible teachers strike, as Chicago Public Schools announce big layoffs on the horizon.

Last month, Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich took part in Pope Francis' synod on the family. Cupich joins "Chicago Tonight" to discuss the synod, as well as his private meeting with Pope Francis earlier this year and other issues facing the modern church.

Open enrollment has just begun for health care insurance under the Affordable Care Act. As President Obama's signature health care reform enters its third year, we assess the impact of the ACA on health care provision in Illinois.

On a day quarterback Jay Cutler continued his solid play and a patchwork offensive line managed to provide him decent protection, it was the Bears defense that ruined the mood at sunny Soldier Field. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams joins us for his take on the game.

Teller, the usually silent half of magic duo Penn and Teller, speaks his mind about the production of "The Tempest" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in which he weaves stage illusions into the story of an exiled duke who uses the supernatural world to protect his daughter.

International literary critic Jessa Crispin–once a frequent reviewer of books on "Chicago Tonight" as the author of the online magazine Bookslut–has written her first book, a memoir. She joins us on Monday for a discussion of the book, her favorite European cities and her take on Harper Lee's latest.