Mayor Rahm Emanuel hangs it up, J.B. Pritzker defeats Gov. Bruce Rauner, and the Chicago Police Department has a tumultuous year. We recap the top stories of the year and predict the biggest of 2019.

Chicago mayoral candidates Susana Mendoza and Toni Preckwinkle are leading the crowded race, says a new poll. Two Chicago police officers are killed in the line of duty. And the Bears are headed to the playoffs. 

New developments in the federal investigation of Ald. Ed Burke. Mayor Rahm Emanuel swings for the fences on pensions. Mayoral petition challenges are heating up. And the Bears look to avenge their loss to the Packers.

Ald. Ed Burke’s fundraiser goes on despite FBI raids. Mayoral candidates duke it out in petition battles. The fate of three Chicago cops is in a judge’s hands. And the Bears take on the Rams.

Federal agents raid the offices of powerful 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke. Twenty-one candidates officially file petitions to become Chicago’s next mayor. The cover-up trial of three Chicago cops begins. And the Bears have the playoffs in their sights. 

Susana Mendoza is in the race for mayor. Outrage and confusion surround the fatal police shooting of a security guard. Chicago gets the big snub from Amazon. And the Bears get ready for their prime time matchup against Minnesota.

 J.B. Pritzker wins the battle of the billionaires. Strong voter turnout driven by millennials helped bring a blue wave to the state. And in sports, the Chicago Blackhawks dump coach Joel Quenneville. 

The home stretch of campaign season and the final days of the governor’s race included a major snub – and some poor judgment. Plus: Alarming news about Chicago’s drinking water, and the Bears still top the NFC North.

While the country debates civility and decency in political rhetoric, a new commercial causes a stir in the race for Illinois governor. Grammy-winning rappers stump for a mayoral unknown. And can the Bears bounce back Sunday against the Jets?

An October surprise in the governor’s race. Mayor Rahm Emanuel delivers his final budget address. Chance the Rapper rolls the dice on the mayoral election. And the Bears prep for the Patriots.

With less than a month to Election Day, the Illinois governor’s race turns into a verbal cage match. Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke is transferred out of Cook County. The Trump administration opposes the city’s police consent decree. And does Kris Bryant really say no to $200 million? 

Defense attorneys for Jason Van Dyke show jurors an animated video of the fatal shooting. How political campaigns can prevent sexual harassment. And the Chicago Cubs clinch their fourth consecutive playoff appearance.

J.B. Pritzker and Gov. Bruce Rauner rumble in their only TV debate. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joins the race for Chicago mayor. Explosive testimony in the Jason Van Dyke murder trial. And the Cubs and Brewers go down to the wire in the NL Central.