Roberta Lynch, Executive Director of AFSCME, the public services employees union representing many state of Illinois employees. Governor Bruce Rauner has effectively stopped negotiating with the union over state employee contracts. Can the impasse ever be resolved or will it take new leadership to re-open talks? The union might opt for a strike that could devastate the service organizations who serve the citizens of Illinois.

Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain’s, Lynn Sweet of The Sun-Times, Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune, and Natasha Korecki of Politico discuss the week in state and national politics. Picking up on first segment, will the state legislature come together for a balanced budget? Lynn updates the debate on the U.S. Senate floor is the replacement legislature for “Obamacare”. Will problems in the Trump administration trickle down to the mid-term elections in Illinois in 2018? Will there be a Democrat sweep from the Governor’s office down to members of Congress?

John Dempsey covers the opening ceremonies for “Riverpoint Tower” which is one of several new office towers opening in the heart of the city. Comments from Alderman, Brendan Reilly and Mayor, Rahm Emanuel illustrate how important this development will be for the city.