“Tonight, we showed a campaign that respects voters and is focused on practical solutions rather than shopworn slogans can be successful,” Duckworth said during her victory speech.

Illinois' U.S. Senate candidates, incumbent Republican Mark Kirk and Democrat Tammy Duckworth, square off in a debate for the first time. Why it may be their last.
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Trump makes a bold claim about Chicago violence. Mark Kirk says Tammy Duckworth is mocking stroke victims. CPS teachers threaten an October strike. And U.S. Cellular Field gets a new name. Those stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.

Tammy Duckworth

U.S. Rep. Bob Dold, challenger Brad Schneider appear in separate forum

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in the November election, will participate in the WTTW “Chicago Tonight” forum scheduled for Oct. 26.

(Photo of Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore / Flickr)

Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk has been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump’s campaign. We asked Kirk for his assessment of the Republican National Convention so far and whether he has any regrets about not attending.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk dumps presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Former Gov. Jim Edgar urges civility and compromise in Springfield. Mayor Rahm Emanuel looks for property tax rebates. And the Cubs soar as the Sox sink.

Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland meets with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, despite the GOP leadership's refusal to meet with an Obama nominee. We speak with WBEZ's Tony Arnold on the implications of this first courtesy call to a Republican senator.

Merrick Garland (Courtesy of White House)

Chicago native and Chief Judge for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Merrick Garland is President Barack Obama's choice to replace the late Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.

Illinois candidates for U.S. Senate Democrat Tammy Duckworth and Republican incumbent Mark Kirk won their respective primaries.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth and Republican Sen. Mark Kirk have each won their primaries, setting up possibly one of the most expensive and potentially contentious races for U.S. Senate in November.

Andrea Zopp, left, and Napoleon Harris.

We meet two of the Democratic candidates vying to be the nominee for U.S. Senator.

Gov. Bruce Rauner announced on Monday that Illinois is temporarily closing its border to the settlement of Syrian refugees in the wake of the attacks in Paris.

Thursday is Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair and, as expected, they used the opportunity to slam Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s anti-union, pro-business Turnaround agenda that they say is preventing lawmakers from approving a statewide budget. We’ll have more news from Springfield with Chicago Tonight’s Amanda Vinicky.

Tammy Duckworth, left, and Andrea Zopp

Duckworth, Zopp fail to get backing of the Democratic Party

Wednesday is a make-or-break day for candidates running for office in 2016. The powerful Cook County Democratic Organization met for what is their traditional slating session. Which candidates won the coveted endorsement and how does it bode for 2016?

From Chicago's top spot in fatal police-involved shootings to a successful road trip for the White Sox, Joel Weisman and his panel have your week in review.

Lollapalooza

The Conversation Continues Online

Joel Weisman and his panel of journalists debate the merits of Lollapalooza, and the impact of the Blackhawks' new training facility coming to the West Side. 

Andrea Zopp

Andrea Zopp talks about her candidacy to become the democratic nominee in the primary race for U.S. Senate against Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. The winner will face incumbent Senator Mark Kirk.