Capitol Cast: Illinois

Masks Down

February 25, 2022 22:45 - 16 minutes - 18.4 MB

Gov. JB Pritzker announces the statewide indoor mask mandate will expire at the end of February, with some exceptions. The Capitol News Illinois team analyzes that issue and other news of the week.

Session Midpoint

February 25, 2022 22:45 - 19 minutes - 20.1 MB

The 2022 legislative session is hitting its midpoint while the state prepares to lift its indoor mask mandate. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses those issues and other news of the week.

The governor makes his pitch

February 04, 2022 23:45 - 30 minutes - 27.2 MB

A look at what's in Gov. JB Pritzker's budget address and the history behind his remarks.

Illinois' Teacher Shortage

January 17, 2022 22:04 - 11 minutes - 14.8 MB

A new survey suggests Illinois is suffering from a shortage of teachers and other educators. UIS Public Affairs Reporting program interns Andrew Adams, Taylor Vidmar and Grace Kinnicutt discuss their coverage of the issue.

The State of Democraccy

January 07, 2022 15:59 - 21 minutes - 22.8 MB

On the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, we interview University of Illinois at Chicago professor Dick Simpson, whose upcoming new book is entitled "Democracy's Rebirth: The View from Chicago."

News of the Week, Holiday Edition

December 17, 2021 23:00 - 11 minutes - 13.5 MB

Gov. Pritzker strikes a deal to sell the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago, then signs a bill repealing the Parental Notification of Abortion Act. Unemployment falls but COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Peter Hancock and Beth Hundsdorfer discuss.

Redistricting Controversies

November 19, 2021 20:42 - 18 minutes - 19.9 MB

The Better Government Association's Bryan Zarou and University of Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines talk with Peter Hancock about the redistricting process in Illinois and the upcoming oral arguments in three federal lawsuits challenging the new legislative maps. See congressional maps here:https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1DuemrWTVXzfvozXGm1Vts_nkTD5jXw9W&ll=41.61853807070015%2C-87.43130960460293&z=6 See IL House maps here:https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewe...

Climate, Supreme Court and Redistricting

November 12, 2021 20:25 - 17 minutes - 20.2 MB

Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss Gov. JB Pritzker's trip to the U.N. climate conference, an Illinois Supreme Court case concerning ride hailing services, and the latest developments in the legislative redistricting court cases.

Fall Veto Session

November 01, 2021 19:34 - 15 minutes - 17.1 MB

Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss passage of new congressional district maps and other legislation during the recently-completed fall veto session.

Veto Session: Abortion, Guns and Redistricting

October 22, 2021 21:12 - 11 minutes - 14 MB

Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss an Illinois Supreme Court ruling on gun rights, efforts to repeal the state's Parental Notice of Abortion law, and continuing efforts to redraw congressional district lines.

Vaccine Mandates

October 08, 2021 22:16 - 17 minutes - 20.2 MB

President Biden visits Illinois to defend his vaccine mandates. Plus, Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss the start of congressional redistricting hearings and the debate over qualified immunity for law enforcement.

BIDEN'S ILLINOIS PUSH

September 24, 2021 21:40 - 17 minutes - 7.1 MB

Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock discuss President Biden's push for his Build Back Better Agenda, which includes an appearance by a top Biden advisor with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

Powering Forward

September 10, 2021 21:03 - 14 minutes - 17.4 MB

Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock analyze the massive energy overhaul bill that passed out of the House during a one-day return to session. Plus, a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.

Special Session Roundup

September 02, 2021 21:16 - 17 minutes - 20.4 MB

Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss the just-completed special session, including the second round of redistricting, progress on an energy bill and lawmakers' reaction to Gov. JB Pritzker's vetoes.

Covid Mandates and Redistricting

August 27, 2021 21:44 - 19 minutes - 22.5 MB

Gov. JB Pritzker issues new vaccine and mask mandates in the wake of rising COVID-19 numbers while the General Assembly gets ready for a one-day special session on redistricting. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's news.

State Fair and the 2022 Elections

August 20, 2021 21:04 - 19 minutes - 22 MB

The Illinois State Fair served as the backdrop for Democrats and Republicans to launch their 2022 election campaigns. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze how things stack up so far.

The Politics of Social Studies Education

July 30, 2021 16:27 - 13 minutes - 14.5 MB

Have history and social studies education become too politicized? Jim Wolfinger, dean of the College of Education at Illinois State University, discusses new laws in Illinois and elsewhere governing what must, and must not, be taught in history and social studies classes.

Pritzker on the Record

July 22, 2021 19:28 - 21 minutes - 19.2 MB

Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki speaks one-on-one with Gov. JB Pritzker two days after the governor announced a bid for reelection. The interview includes a fact check on the governor's unemployment claims, discussions of potential pandemic mitigations and more.

Week in Review - July 16

July 16, 2021 19:24 - 16 minutes - 18 MB

Gov. Pritzker signs another criminal justice reform package and visits the White House to talk about infrastructure. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss those events and other news of the week.

Credit Upgrade, Economy and College Sports

July 01, 2021 18:51 - 19 minutes - 26.1 MB

The state gets a credit upgrade while its economy shows signs of improvement, and college athletes will soon start getting paid for use of their names, images and likeness. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss the news of the week.

Capitol Cast: Session in Review

June 25, 2021 21:37 - 20 minutes - 13.5 MB

A conversation with University of Illinois-Chicago state politics professor Christopher Mooney on the recently adjourned legislative session.

Juneteenth in Illinois

June 18, 2021 20:29 - 14 minutes - 18.8 MB

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill designating Juneteenth as an official state holiday. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki take a look at the importance of that holiday as well as other news from the Statehouse over the past week.

Phase 5 Reopening

June 11, 2021 21:16 - 16 minutes - 20.8 MB

As Illinois enters Phase 5 of the state's reopening, Gov. JB Pritzker reflects on how the state responded. Plus, the Capitol News Illinois team discusses the energy bill that will be debated next week, staff shortages at state parks, and other issues.

Pritzker Reflects on 2021 Session

June 04, 2021 21:39 - 12 minutes - 16.8 MB

Gov. JB Pritzker talks about the accomplishments of the 2021 session, legislative redistricting and the prospects of an energy bill that would transition Illinois to a carbon-free power industry.

Illinois' Mental Health Care 'Crisis'

May 11, 2021 21:09 - 14 minutes - 14 MB

A look at the state of mental health care in Illinois, including discussions with experts and lawmakers.

Reopening, Education & Redistricting

May 07, 2021 18:36 - 13 minutes - 10.5 MB

Gov. Pritzker announces a path to full reopening while also revising his budget proposal by adding $350 million for K-12 education. And the controversies over redistricting continue at the Statehouse. CNI's Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Sarah Mansur discuss.

April 30 Week in Review

April 30, 2021 21:27 - 15 minutes - 17.3 MB

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses Gov. Pritzker's energy proposal, a new report on a COVID-19 outbreak at a veterans home, landmark health care reform legislation and emergency housing assistance.

An Independent Redistricting Commission?

April 16, 2021 19:24 - 18 minutes - 20.7 MB

State Rep. Tim Butler, the ranking Republican on the House Redistricting Committee, talks about the GOP's proposal for an independent redistricting commission.

What Does the Illinois Treasurer Do?

April 09, 2021 18:16 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MB

What does the Illinois Treasurer do? We speak with Treasurer Mike Frerichs about his role in Illinois state government and some of the programs his office oversees.

March 26 Week in Review

March 26, 2021 21:52 - 16 minutes - 18.3 MB

The Illinois Senate was back in the Statehouse and passed some significant legislation while the House continued to hold remote committee meetings. The CNI team discusses some of the major developments.

CapitolCast: Interview with the Governor

March 16, 2021 19:54 - 15 minutes - 13.1 MB

Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki talks with Gov. JB Pritzker about the state's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, whether the pandemic has affected his relationship with lawmakers, and whether his use of executive authority over the past year has redefined the powers of the governorship.

The Pandemic, One Year In

March 12, 2021 22:19 - 17 minutes - 20.3 MB

On the anniversary of Gov. JB Pritzker's statewide disaster declaration, the Capitol News Illinois team discusses how the pandemic has affected everyday life in Illinois, and how close the state is to emerging from it.

March 5, 2021 Week in Review

March 05, 2021 22:35 - 20 minutes - 24.2 MB

The CNI news team discusses the election of a new Democratic Party state chairwoman, the state's staggering pension debt, pushes to reopen more activity in the state and other news of the week.

Pandemic Budget and Madigan Resignation

February 19, 2021 20:35 - 16 minutes - 19.3 MB

Governor JB Pritzker delivered his third budget address since taking office and longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resigned from the General Assembly. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses the budget and the significance of Madigan's departure.

Interview: House GOP Leader Jim Durkin

February 12, 2021 19:09 - 16 minutes - 19.6 MB

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, discusses the new House Rules, the new state party chairman and the future of the Republican Party in Illinois.

Interview with Agriculture Director Jerry Costello

February 05, 2021 21:57 - 20 minutes - 21.2 MB

Acting Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II discusses the state of agriculture in Illinois, the emerging market for industrial hemp, the impact of COVID-19 on the ag industry and prospects for the new Biden administration.

Interview: House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch

January 29, 2021 20:55 - 15 minutes - 18.1 MB

Newly-elected Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaks with Capitol News Illinois' Peter Hancock about the challenges now facing the state and how he plans to approach his new job.

The Lame Duck Session

January 15, 2021 22:43 - 21 minutes - 22.5 MB

The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the General Assembly's lame duck session and the election of a new House speaker.

December 11 Week in Review

December 11, 2020 18:02 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MB

The COVID-19 pandemic showed positive signs in Illinois as federal funding for state responses is about to run out. Troubling outbreaks occurred at state-run veterans homes and the attorney general joined a multi-state antitrust suit against Facebook.

Pandemic Surge - Veto Session - Elections

November 13, 2020 19:01 - 21 minutes - 22.1 MB

The CNI news team breaks down the new surge in COVID-19 cases, how that's affecting the General Assembly and the results of the Nov. 3 general election that produced changes in the state Supreme Court and the Legislature.

Election Countdown amid Pandemic

October 30, 2020 20:54 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MB

As Election Day nears, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in Illinois. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses the upcoming votes for a graduated income tax amendment and two seats on the Illinois Supreme Court as well as a legislative push for statewide police reform.

Early Voting Breaking Records

October 23, 2020 18:26 - 21 minutes - 22.4 MB

Voters in Illinois and across the country are shattering records for early voting this year. Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, talks about what that means as well as the pros and cons of early voting.

COVID Cases Spike as Election Nears

October 16, 2020 21:37 - 15 minutes - 15.6 MB

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses a new surge in COVID-19 cases, record level advance voting ahead of the 2020 elections, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda and other major news of the week.

George Ryan Writes about Death Penalty Decisions

September 23, 2020 20:32 - 9 minutes - 13 MB

An interview with former Gov. George Ryan about his new book, "Until I Could Be Sure: How I Stopped the Death Penalty in Illinois."

Next Steps in Madigan Investigation

September 18, 2020 19:59 - 16 minutes - 20.1 MB

The U.S. Attorney's office has given the Special Investigating Committee a green light to pursue its probe into Speaker Michael Madigan's role in the ComEd bribery case. Rep. Tom Demmer, the ranking Republican on the panel, discusses what's next. Plus, a roundtable discussion of the 2020 Census and the state of the coronavirus pandemic.

Madigan Probe and Marijuana Licenses

September 11, 2020 21:17 - 13 minutes - 15.7 MB

A special Investigative Committee got underway this week to examine House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in the Commonwealth Edison bribery scandal. And Black and Latino lawmakers became upset when finalists were announced for the first 75 "social equity" marijuana business licenses was announced.

Madigan Probe

September 04, 2020 19:51 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MB

A special committee is about to meet to investigate House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in an alleged bribery scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison. Peter Hancock talks with two members of that committee, Democratic Chairman Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Republican Rep. Grant Wehrli.

Week in Review - Aug. 28, 2020

August 28, 2020 19:18 - 15 minutes - 15.1 MB

The COVID-19 pandemic continues its resurgence in Illinois; Exelon says it plans to close two nuclear power plants next year; a program to expand broadband access statewide gets started as students prepare for another semester of online learning; and tobacco use is up among Illinois teenagers. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki, Ray Troncoso and Rebecca Anzel analyze the week's news.

Clean Energy Roadmap

August 21, 2020 20:32 - 11 minutes - 11.7 MB

Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock discuss Gov. JB Pritzker's roadmap for a new clean energy policy as well asrecap the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and its grip on the state's economy.

Health Disparities in COVID-19

August 14, 2020 20:53 - 21 minutes - 17.3 MB

Reporter Raymon Troncoso talks with Jordan Powell, president and CEO of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association about how and why COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Latino communities. Theme music, "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Capitol Cast: Illinois

Episodes