In a close contest with Alexi Giannoulias, Republican Mark Kirk takes President Obama's former Senate seat. Meanwhile, Republican congressional candidates score impressive victories in the suburbs, but Democrats maintain control of the Illinois House and Senate as they return immediately to Springfield to tackle the $13 billion budget deficit. Toni Preckwinkle wins big in the race for Cook County Board President, and Independent Forrest Claypool fails to beat Democratic Party heavyweight Joe Berrios for Cook County Assessor. In sports, the Bears are back from their bye week.

The election is over -- now the hard work begins. Namely, how to make up what could be a $15 billion budget shortfall. Carol Marin and her panel of legislators have more on what to expect when lawmakers return to Springfield.

We hear what you have to say about some of our recent stories when we read our viewer mail.

The Chicago Coalition for Mayor, a group of African-American leaders, has chosen Danny Davis as their candidate for Mayor. Elizabeth Brackett discusses the implications of this decision and other new developments in the race.

Congressman Danny Davis is the consensus Black candidate for Mayor of Chicago. So, what are his plans for the city? And why does he want to leave Congress to lead the city in the post-Daley era? He answers these questions and more when he talks with Carol Marin.

We share your thoughts on some of our recent stories when we read some viewer mail.

A seemingly innocuous handshake has set off a worldwide controversy. We learn why an Indonesian minister -- who is Muslim -- is blaming Michelle Obama for the misstep.

She was the first African American woman in the U.S. Senate and now she wants to be the first African American woman Mayor of Chicago. Carol Moseley Braun is here to tell us why she's come out of political retirement to vie for the position of Mayor Daley's replacement.

On this week's edition of Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review: Governor Pat Quinn says his election victory is a mandate for a tax hike, but Republicans scoff at his spin. Danny Davis is chosen as the so-called consensus mayoral candidate by some African American leaders, but Carol Moseley Braun and James Meeks are in the race to stay. The CTA looks at selling naming rights to stations and routes to ease the agency's perpetual budget crunch, and now Metra is considering the same. And in sports, the Bears gear up for Brett Favre and the Vikings.

Carol Marin talks to State Senator James Meeks, a mayoral candidate who formally launched his campaign yesterday.

The race for mayor of Chicago officially kicked off today with the filing of nominating petitions. Eddie Arruza gives us a rundown of the candidates who submitted.

The feud is intensifying between the outgoing and incoming Presidents of the Cook County Board. Is Todd Stroger being uncooperative in the transition? Eddie Arruza has that story, and another about a major financial settlement approved by the County Board.

Provocative sex columnist and Chicago native Dan Savage joins us for a revealing interview.