The controversial Lincoln Yards project gets the OK from City Council as Mayor Rahm Emanuel bids farewell to the chamber. And Chicago’s inspector general releases a damming report on the police department’s so-called gang database.

Lori Lightfoot secures a historic election. City Council moves to the left. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx faces more heat. And the Cubs’ bullpen implodes.

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Jussie Smollett is cleared of all felonies, leaving the mayor and police superintendent livid – and the Cook County state’s attorney under fire. And in election news, a new poll shows a lopsided race for mayor.

Mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle continue battling it out to become Chicago’s next mayor. Boeing’s 737 crisis worsens. No sentence change for Jason Van Dyke. And we preview the baseball season.

Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle battle for votes ahead of the runoff election. Mayor Rahm Emanuel gets his way on two controversial projects. CSO musicians trade instruments for picket signs. And Boeing’s very bit 737 problem.

Mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot, left, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle participate in a televised forum on NBC 5 Chicago on Thursday, March 7, 2019. The two will face off in a runoff election April 2, 2019. (Courtesy of NBC 5 Chicago)

Sparks fly in the first mayoral runoff forum. Courts deliver bad news for politicians and R. Kelly. Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock beats his charges. And the Lincoln Yards development nears a full City Council vote. 

Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle will face off in a historic mayoral runoff. Surprises in several aldermanic races. And what role will identity politics play in the election?

Charges for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett. Accusations, missteps and big money in the run-up to election day. A disturbing revelation about the Aurora mass shooter. And Manny Machado disses Chicago.

Mayoral candidates square off on “Chicago Tonight.” Jason Van Dyke is attacked in prison. Is R. Kelly about to be indicted? And the controversial alliance between the Cubs and a conservative media outlet.

City Hall scandals grow. Mayoral forums heat up. Ford invests in Chicago while Target shutters two South Side stores. Joe Ricketts’ racist emails draw fire. And Portis and Parker are traded for Porter.

Viagra, massages and toddler togs in the expanding corruption investigation at City Hall. Federal oversight is coming to the Chicago Police Department. An alleged hate crime involving a TV actor. And “Chiberia” paralyzes the city.

Chicago aldermen are reeling after learning of an FBI mole in their ranks. More fallout from the federal charge against Ald. Ed Burke. Lincoln Yards takes a huge step forward. And the Bears QB preps for the Pro Bowl.

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The highly anticipated sentencing of Jason Van Dyke – and a ruling on the fate of three other Chicago cops in a related case stemming from the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald.

New faces meet veteran leadership in the newly seated 101st General Assembly. City Council sees a flurry of reform proposals. Renewed scrutiny over R. Kelly allegations. And a heartbreaking “double doink” ends the Bears season.

A stunning federal complaint charges City Hall’s most powerful alderman with attempted corruption while another alderman is charged with domestic abuse. And the Bears take on the defending Super Bowl champs.

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.