The Cubs playoff run has been a ratings boon, but what about the economic impact to Chicago? Meanwhile, Chicago-based United Airlines continues its CEO shuffle and McDonald’s franchisees aren't loving all-day breakfast service, as some chains energize Monster sales. Ann Dwyer of Crain’s Chicago Business gives us the story behind these headlines and more.

Some landlords in the Chicago area are illegally discriminating against Section 8 voucher holders, according to WBEZ. Does this highlight problems with the program itself or is it blatant racism?

Jack Bishop from America's Test Kitchen gives us a look at their new book that aims to help you cut through the recipe clutter. Also, learn how to make Perfect Poached Chicken Breasts and other dishes from ATK.

Geoffrey Baer visits a towering turtle on the Near West Side, a retro motel in River North and a vanishing South Side lake in this week's encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.

The Illinois General Assembly was in session in Springfield on Tuesday for the first time in weeks as the budget impasse drags on. "Chicago Tonight" Springfield reporter Amanda Vinicky joins us to talk about what happened today at the capitol.

Lawmakers get a visit from protesters demanding an end to budget cuts. We discuss how the standoff is affecting higher education with Governors State University President Elaine Maimon.

The City Council’s Finance committee voted today to approve a record $543 million property tax increase over the next four years. But was the vote closer than expected? And will aldermen go along with garbage fee hikes and a possible new Uber fee? Paris Schutz has the story.

The Chicago Board of Education will vote next week on whether to approve applications for two new charter schools, but a group of Chicago aldermen have signed a resolution calling for a moratorium on the schools, while some parents say they have the right to choose which schools their children attend. Hear from all sides of the issue.

What can a mutant fruit fly can tell us about sleep? Why might forests in Alaska be contributing to climate change? And is Jupiter's Great Red Spot shrinking? University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin is back to discuss these stories and more.

Playboy magazine has decided that sex no longer sells. This February's issue will be the last  one containing naked pictures of women. Is Playboy's new no-nudity media strategy leaving their business model exposed?

Watching FX’s "American Horror Story" and hitting the golf course could become more expensive under a budget proposal unveiled by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle last week. She joins us to discuss her proposal and how it will help plug a projected $198.9 million budget hole.