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Latest episodes from Capitol Cast: Illinois

A new perspective on Mary Todd Lincoln

Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 28:12


May 19 will mark the 150th anniversary of Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of the slain president, being declared legally insane and committed to an asylum outside Chicago. Historian Jason Emerson discusses his new book, "The Dark Days of Abraham Lincoln's Widow, As Revealed by Her Own Letters," published by Southern Illinois University Press.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Illinois

Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 20:36


Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visit to Springfield this week put a spotlight on the Trump administration's immigration policy while also sparking protests from immigrant rights advocates. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jade Aubrey discuss the event and what may be at stake for Illinois' own policies regarding immigrants.

One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 17:42


One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton by Capitol News Illinois

Sen. Durbin announces retirement

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 22:45


U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois announced this week he will not seek reelection in 2026, setting off a chain reaction among politicians who now see an opportunity to move up the ladder. The first major candidate to announce so far is Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton who, on Friday, received the endorsement of Gov. JB Pritzker. CNI's Peter Hancock and Ben Salinski look back on Durbin's career in Congress and discuss the wide field of potential candidates to take his seat.

Down Ballot: Interview with author Patrick Wohl

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 24:40


Peter Hancock talks with author Patrick Wohl about his book, "Down Ballot: Howa Local Campaign Became a National Referendum on Abortion." The book chronicles the 1990 Republican primary in Illinois' 55th House District between Penny Pullen and Rosemary Mulligan.

Deadline week and student visas

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 31:45


Illinois lawmakers passed the midpoint of the 2025 session this week, the deadline for most nonbudget bills to pass out of one chamber or the other. Meanwhile, dozens of international students on college campuses learned their student visas were being revoked. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Molly Parker about the crackdown on international students. And Ben Szalinski talks about major legislation that did, or didn't, make it across the deadline.

Trade mission to Mexico

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 14:08


Trade mission to Mexico by Capitol News Illinois

Waiting for another shoe to drop

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 20:28


As lawmakers near the midpoint of the 2025 session, no legislation has passed either chamber as lawmakers appear stymied by the steady barrage of events coming out of the White House that have a direct bearing on Illinois. Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski analyze the past week's events.

Nationalizing local politics

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 13:28


It used to be said that all politics is local. But today, state parties and partisan-backed organizations are getting more involved in local, and ostensibly nonpartisan, elections. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporter Ben Szalinski and political scientist John Jackson of SIU Carbondale about this trend.

local politics cni john jackson siu carbondale peter hancock
The mass transit fiscal cliff

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 19:55


Four entities that make up the Chicago metro area's mass transit system face a combined $770 million budget shortfall. That means Chicago's transportation problems are now a front-and-center issue for state lawmakers from all parts of Illinois. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporter Ben Szalinski about what's at stake, how we got here, and some of the proposed solutions.

Budget uncertainty amid looming Medicaid cuts

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 21:51


Gov. JB Pritzker and other Democratic leaders warn of dire consequences if proposed cuts in federal Medicaid funding go through. And a new audit shows the state's Medicaid-like health care program for noncitizens - part of which Pritzker has proposed defunding - has been a lot more expensive than expected. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel discuss the week's news.

State of the state, 2025

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 19:37


Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his annual budget address and State of the State speech this week that included a warning about the rise of a neo-fascist movement in America led by President Donald Trump. Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel and Ben Szalinski analyze the speech as well as legislative reaction to it.

Madigan convicted

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 41:51


Michael J. Madigan, a dominant figure in Illinois politics for the better part of 50 years, was found guilty in federal court this week on multiple corruption-related charges. Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel and Ben Szalinski discuss how it all came about and what kind of legacy he leaves behind in Springfield.

illinois springfield convicted madigan peter hancock michael j madigan
Illinois vs. Trump

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 14:52


From lawsuits over immigration policy to threats of a possible trade war, state government officials in Illinois spent most of the week focusing on news coming out of the Trump administration. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jade Aubrey analyze some of the major developments.

Federal funds frozen; Madigan trial goes to the jury

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 24:15


The Trump administration temporarily froze the flow of billions of dollars in assistance to state governments and nonprofits, sending state agencies into a panic until a federal judge stepped in. And the long-running corruption trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan is now in the hands of a jury. Peter Hancock discusses those stories with reporters Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel.

Trump inauguration puts Illinois on edge

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 13:16


Donald J. Trump's inauguration for a second term as president put many people in Illinois on edge, especially those in Chicago's immigrant community. Ashley Soriano, a reporting fellow from Northwestern University, talks to Peter Hancock about her reporting on Inauguration Day protests in the Chicago area. And Jerry Nowicki discusses the final stages of former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan's corruption trial.

Remembering Illinois civil rights leader John J. Bird

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 29:06


Wayne Pitard, author of the book "Watchman, Tell Us: John J. Bird and Black Politics in Post-Civil War Illinois," discusses the life and legacy of one of the state's early civil rights leaders.

Capitol News Roundup: Jan. 11, 2025

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 6:22


A tough week for House speakers as 103rd General Assembly comes to an end.

One session ends, another begins

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 15:04


Peter Hancock talks to the reporters Ben Szalinski and Andrew Adams about the lame duck session, and with Public Affairs Reporting interns Jade Aubrey and Bridgette Fox about the 104th General Assembly's inauguration.

What to expect in the lame duck session

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 20:50


Illinois lawmakers are returning for a short lame duck session starting Saturday and a new legislative session begins Wednesday. Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Ben Szalinski discuss some of the issues that could be addressed.

Capitol News Roundup: Dec. 21, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 5:10


CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Storm Clouds Ahead in 2025

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 24:02


The state of Illinois will start the new year facing a projected $3.2 billion budget shortfall while demands continue to grow for funding of education and pensions. There are also growing concerns about the adequacy of the state's power grid as Illinois continues its push for a carbon-free energy system.

Capitol News Roundup: Dec. 14, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 5:45


CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Immigration, quantum computing and the state flag

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 14:04


Illinois officials are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations when the new Trump administration takes office. Chicago will become home to a new quantum computing center. And a new state flag may be in the works for Illinois. The CNI team discusses the news.

Election Numbers; Madigan Trial

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 23:33


The Illinois State Board of Elections has certified the final results of the 2024 election. And the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues in Chicago following testimony this week from former city Alderman Danny Solis. Peter Hancock discusses those stories with CNI reporters Andrew Adams, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel.

Capitol News Roundup: November 23, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 7:47


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Illinois Lawmakers: Veto Session 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 29:00


Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are sizing up the challenge of dealing with a projected $3.2 billion dollar budget shortfall for the state's new fiscal year that starts July 1. Guests include Senate Democrats' appropriations lead Elgie Sims Jr. of Chicago, Deputy Senate Republican Leader Sue Rezin of Morris, House Majority Leader Robyn Gabel of Evanston, and Deputy House Republican Leader Ryan Spain of Peoria. Capitol News Illinois reporter Peter Hancock provides an overview of the fall veto session's news with host Jak Tichenor.

Two new realities in Springfield

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 20:47


Illinois Democrats are adapting to two new realities: A looming $3.2 billion budget deficit and a second term for Donald Trump. The Capitol News Illinois Statehouse team breaks it down - and introduces our latest hire.

State Report Card sparks efforts to boost math scores | Capitol Cast: November 8, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 16:56


The latest Illinois School Report Card shows proficiency rates in English Language Arts reached an all-time high last year, but math scores have been slow to recover since the pandemic. In this episode of Capitol Cast, CNI's Peter Hancock interviews State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders about plans to develop a comprehensive strategy to boost state math scores.

Capitol News Roundup: November 9, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 3:51


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Capitol News Roundup: November 2, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 6:14


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports news from around Illinois.

Money pours in for 2024 election - where is it coming from? | Capitol Cast: Nov. 1, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 15:39


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Reporter Andrew Adams about his analysis of campaign spending reports in Illinois.

Capitol News Roundup: October 26, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 6:33


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

A look at the evolution of Illinois politics | Capitol Cast: October 25, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 15:07


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller examines Illinois' 17th Congressional District race. Two former members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, Cheri Bustos and Ray LaHood, were guests of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Capitol News Roundup: October 19, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 4:23


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller has the week's news from around Illinois.

An inside look at "The Last Republican" | Capitol Cast: October 18, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2024 24:13


An interview with Steve Pink, director of a new documentary film "The Last Republican," that focuses on former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who famously broke with Donald Trump and the Republican Party over the results of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Capitol News Roundup: October 12, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 5:20


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller has the week's news from around Illinois.

Ballot Questions and Madigan on Trial | Capitol Cast October 11, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 18:10


Capitol News Illinois' Peter Hancock talks to reporters Andrew Adams and Hannah Meisel about two of our top stories this week: A look at 2024 ballot questions and jury selection in the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Previewing the trial of Michael Madigan | Capitol Cast - October 4, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 16:08


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Reporter Hannah Meisel about the upcoming corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Jury selection in the case begins October 8th.

Capitol News Roundup: September 28, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 4:51


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the news from around Illinois.

Early Voting Opens in Illinois | Capitol Cast - September 27, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 27:54


CNI's Peter Hancock talks with Illinois State Board of Elections Spokesman Matt Dietrich about early voting, and CNI Data Reporter Andrew Adams about our new Election Guide at capitolnewsillinois.com.

Capitol News Roundup: September 6, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 2:49


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller recaps the week's news from around Illinois.

State Revenue Check-in | Capitol Cast 9/6/2024

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 11:51


Capitol News Illinois Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki and reporter Peter Hancock recap the week's news.

capitol revenue peter hancock
Capitol News Roundup: August 30, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 4:03


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller wraps up the week's news from around Illinois.

The 2024 State of Unions | Capitol Cast - August 30, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 40:17


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller and Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki talk with Prof. Robert Bruno and Frank Manzo about their State of the Unions 2024 report.

Behind the Scenes at the DNC | Capitol Cast - 8/24/2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 21:11


The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the week that was at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Capitol News Roundup: August 17, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 7:02


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller recaps the week's news from around Illinois.

Politics at the Illinois State Fair | Capitol Cast: August 16, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 19:08


The Capitol News Illinois team discusses some of the major themes that emerged from Democratic and Republican political days at the Illinois State Fair.

Prepping for the '24 DNC | Capitol Cast: August 14, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 18:42


Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is among the state's Democrats preparing for next week's national convention in Chicago. In this episode of Capitol Cast, Peter Hancock talks with Stratton about strategies and priorities for the Harris/Walz campaign, as well as down-ballot races and issues she's focused on.

Capitol News Roundup: August 10, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 7:25


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

August heats up | Capitol Cast: August 9, 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 12:40


CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki about the week's news. This week, Gov. JB Pritzker called for the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, he opened the Illinois State Fair, and he signed numerous bills into law. After the podcast was recorded, Campbell announced he would retire by the end of the month.

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