Capitol Cast: Illinois

Longtime U.S. Senator delivered a farewell speech to a joint session of the General Assembly, echoing Abraham Lincoln's warning about "a house divided." Meanwhile, Lawmakers continued working on a budget and a handful of other policy issues as the 2026 legislative session draws to a close. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's developments.

A federal judge slammed the U.S. Attorney's office this week for its handling of prosecutions against the "Broadview Six" defendants. And lawmakers work to put together a budget package as the 2026 legislative session winds to a close.

Jerry Nowicki, Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert discuss the week's news, from data center and AI regulation to the budget and the Chicago Bears.

Budget negotiations have begun to take shape but there are serious divisions within the General Assembly over whether the state needs to control spending or raise additional revenue. Plus, a watchdog commission appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to review Operation Midway Blitz has referred some federal immigration agents for possible prosecution.

A proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting was abruptly put on hold this week after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major voting rights decision. The fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer put Illinois' SAFE-T Act back in the spotlight. And discussions continue on a legislative plan aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore discuss the legislative news of the week.

The House had a busy week while the Senate was away, moving a constitutional amendment and a megaprojects bill aimed at keeping the Bears. But will the other chamber be on board? Ben Szalinski, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki discuss the week’s news.

Illinois lawmakers passed the midpoint of the session this week, the self-imposed deadline for each chamber to send its non-budget, non-tax related bills to the other chamber. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore discus where lawmakers are with some of the more high-profile issues.

A mountain of bills passed through the Illinois House this week including legislation addressing junk fees, immigrant detention centers and grocery coupon fraud. Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker was in New York talking to Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network. Peter Hancock talks with reporters Ben Szalinski, Jenna Schweikert and Brenden Moore.

A report by the Cook County treasurer's office set off a statewide debate this week about who's to blame for Illinois' high property tax rate and what, if anything, state lawmakers can do to provide some relief. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski discuss what options are on the table.

Dozens of bills advanced in the Illinois House this week as lawmakers worked to meet a deadline for most nonbudget legislation to pass out of committees. Peter Hancock talks with Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski and Jenna Schweikert about some of the most significant bills that moved forward.

Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski analyze the results of the March 17 primary elections in Illinois.

Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski to analyze the Illinois primaries for U.S. Senate, governor and comptroller. Those and other races will be decided in the March 17 primary elections.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks with CNI reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski on a wide range of topics, from the state of the Illinois economy to his legislative agenda and the future of the Chicago Bears.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new proposal aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois. Organizations are now lining up to secure funding in the FY 2027 budget as the legislative session gets into full swing. And University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen discusses higher education funding and what U of I hopes lawmakers will tackle this session.

State of the State '26 by Capitol News Illinois

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick discusses his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor with CNI reporters Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski.

Illinois businessman Rick Heidner, a Republican candidate for governor, discusses his campaign with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore. The interview is part of CNI's Election '26 podcast series focusing on major party candidates for statewide office in the Marchf 17 primaries.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey speaks with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about his campaign. Bailey is a farmer from Xenia and a former state senator who was also the GOP nominee for governor in 2022.

Ted Dabrowski, a former researcher for the online news outlet Wirepoints, is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. He speaks with Capitol News Illinois reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski as part of CNI's Election '26 podcast series.

As a part of a series of interviews focusing on contested races for major-party nominations in the March 17 primary elections, Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock and Brenden Moore talk with state Representative Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) about her campaign for Illinois Comptroller.

Karina Villa discusses her candidacy for Illinois comptroller. She is currently a Democratic state senator from West Chicago. This interview is part of a special series of podcasts focusing on major party candidates for statewide offices in the upcoming March 17 primaries.

Stephanie Kifowit is a Democratic candidate for Illinois comptroller. She currently serves as a state representative from Ogden. She spoke with Capitol News Illinois on Friday, Jan. 23, as part of our series featuring major party candidates running for statewide offices in the March 17 primaries.

An in-depth interview with Holly Kim, a candidate in the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller. This is the first in a series of special episodes focusing on candidates for statewide office in the March 17 primary elections.

In a follow-up to a report we featured last year, new research shows there are some education and career pathways that enable young people who grow up in lower-income households to climb up the economic ladder. Meg Bates, director of the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discusses her latest research.

The 2026 legislative session is about to get underway. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about what to expect in the weeks ahead. We also introduce the two Public Affairs Reporting program interns that will be working with CNI through the session, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert.

The CNI news team discusses some of the major stories of 2025 including Illinois' battles with the Trump administration, the retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin, candidates lining up for the 2026 elections, the Chicago area transit funding crisis and the possibility of energy shortages on the horizon.

In his new book, UIC history professor Kevin Schultz analyzes the history of the word "liberal" in American politics, how it's meaning has changed, and how despite its contributions to modern American society, liberalism generally has been attacked from both the right and the left.

State education officials are developing a "comprehensive numeracy plan" to improve student math skills. Peter Hancock talks with Illinois State University education professor Beth MacDonald about why Americans seem to have so much difficulty with math. Plus, CNI reporter Maggie Dougherty discusses Illinois' plans to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and new legislation giving Illinois health officials more autonomy in directing vaccine policy.

The Illinois Commerce Commission this week approved rate hikes for the state's two major natural gas utilities, but not as much as the companies had asked. And federal court cases surrounding the Trump administration's "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area are continuing, even though the operation itself is reportedly winding down. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Maggie Dougherty and Jerry Nowicki about the week's news.

A partial shutdown of the federal government ended this week when a handful of Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, broke ranks with their caucus and agreed to pass a continuing budget resolution. And the Trump administration's stepped-up immigration enforcement push in the Chicago area appeared to be winding down, but several federal court cases stemming from that operation are still being litigated. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel discuss the week's events.

Rep. Anna Moeller, who chairs the House budget committee that oversees health and human services funding, discusses the challenges presented to state policymakers by the recent partial shutdown of the federal government, the suspension of SNAP benefits and upcoming rule changes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The fall veto session turned out to be more eventful than many had expected as lawmakers passed legislation dealing with the Chicago mass transit "fiscal cliff," immigrant rights and energy policy. They also debated other issues that are likely to come up again in the 2026 regular session.

National Democrats have urged Illinois to join the congressional redist ricting frenzy to counter efforts in other states to gerrymander maps in favor of Republicans. But will Illinois go along? Meanwhile Gov. JB Pritzker has formed a commission to collect reports and monitor the activities of federal immigration agents operating in the Chicago area. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses those stories and looks ahead to events coming up next week.

Illinois lawmakers returned to the Statehouse this week amid a partial shutdown of the federal government and continuing protests over President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Also, candidates filed their quarterly finance reports. And open enrollment for ACA marketplace insurance begins soon under Illinois' new state-based exchange. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski discuss the week's news.

Plenty of issues are on the table for Illinois lawmakers when they return to Springfield this week for the start of the annual fall veto session. Ben Szalinski speaks with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Senate President Don Harmon about what to expect.

The showdown between the state of Illinois and the Trump administration escalated this week as federal judges issued restraining orders blocking the administration from federalizing National Guard troops in Illinois and barring federal law enforcement officials from interfering with peaceful protests or the news coverage of them. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Jerry Nowicki, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about the week's events.

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the latest developments in the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, whether federal troops are on the way, and what, if anything the state an do about it.

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the news of the week, from Illinois' successful lawsuit to protect its federal funding, Darren Bailey's second governor campaign launch and Illinois' immigration information void.

Democratic values and institutions are coming under attack in the United States and around the world. In her new book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," University of Chicago political scientist Susan Stokes discusses why this is happening now and what citizens can do about it.

The list of potential Republican candidates for governor grew this week. Ted Dabrowski, who publishes the conservative newsletter Wirepoints, formally announced his candidacy. And the party's 2022 nominee, former state Sen. Darren Bailey, has made it known he plans to run again. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki talk about those developments. Also, the Illinois Supreme Court announced that Justice P. Scott Neville will become the next chief justice in October, succeeding Mary Jane Theis as head of the court.

Tensions are high in Chicago where President Trump has threatened to send in federal troops to control crime and step up immigration enforcement. Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Jerry Nowicki discuss what is known about the situation and where it could lead. Plus, Molly Parker explains why some farmers in southern Illinois cannot access a federal program intended to help them take farm land in flood-prone areas along the Mississippi River out of production.

Peter Hancock hosts a discussion about a proposed state constitutional amendment in Illinois to reform the redistricting process. Former Clinton administration Commerce Secretary and Chief of Staff Bill Daley and former Republican congressman and Obama administration Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood advocate for an independent commission to draw state legislative district maps, aiming to reduce partisan gerrymandering. They cite past failures, such as the 2016 effort thwarted by the Illinois Supreme Court, and propose a simpler process for 2026.

The CNI news team discusses major stories of the week, including the brief appearance of a recruiting billboard for the far-right group called the Proud Boys, Senate President Don Harmon appealing a $10 million fine for campaign finance violations, the expansion of protections for news organizations against SLAPP suits, and a new effort underway to put legislative mapmaking in the hands of an independent commission.

The Illinois State Fair marked the unofficial launch of the 2026 election cycle. Democrats and Republicans brought major names to the stage to help showcase their candidates and fire up their supporters. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinksi share their impressions of the events and discuss what it all signals about the campaigns ahead.

Democratic Texas lawmakers fled their statehouse in Austin this week, and many of them sheltered in Illinois as part of a tactic to delay voting on a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan. The political drama is drawing national attention as both political parties in Illinois are gearing up for their big days at the Illinois State Fair. Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski analyze what has been happening and what it may mean for the 2026 elections.

The Trump administration is seeking the entire, unredacted statewide voter registration database while the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a case challenging part of the state's vote counting procedure. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis announces he won't run for reelection. And Democratic leaders in Illinois take on the insurance industry. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Andrew Adams analyze the week's news.

The race to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is already getting crowded. Gov. JB Pritzker is pushing back against proposals in Texas to redraw that state's congressional district to minimize GOP losses next year. Pritzker is also traveling to North Carolina this weekend, stoking speculation about his own national ambitions. The CNI news team discusses those stories and looks ahead to the upcoming Illinois State Fair.

A new study suggests upward mobility is more difficult in Illinois than many would think. Although educational attainment and career choices have the biggest influence over a person's income potential, the economic class into which they are born also plays a role. Students from lower-income households tend to earn less than their wealthier peers, even after earning similar degrees and going into similar fields. Sarah Cashdollar, associate director of the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative, talks with CNI's Peter Hancock about the report, "Precarious Prospects."

This month marks the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing Medicare and Medicaid into law. At the time, Medicaid was considered to be a minor part of the bill, but it has since ballooned to become a driving force behind the entire American health care system. Now, it's about to be cut back dramatically under President Trump's recently passed domestic policy legislation. How did we get from there to here? Peter Hancock interviews Colleen Grogan, a professor and researcher at the University of Chicago, about the political history of Medicaid.

Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term. Jerry Nowicki, Ben Szalinski and Public Affairs Reporting intern Jade Aubrey discuss the announcement and Aubrey's time at Capitol News Illinois.