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In Session

11 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratings

A podcast hosted by the Illinois Senate Democrats. Each week you'll hear conversations moderated with and by state senators on the issues of the day, challenges the state faces, and some of their stories along the way.

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Episodes

The New Way of Working

August 25, 2021 11:00 - 44 minutes - 30.5 MB

State Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) moderates the conversation, titled “The New Way of Working,” with state Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield), Paula Schmidt (President, Geneva Chamber of Commerce) and Mirinda Rothrock (President, Decatur Chamber of Commerce) as they discuss how remote work has impacted the local business economy and the new ways of working post-COVID-19 including zoom culture. Each episode of “In Session” features two to four caucus members with a different member serving as...

AG in Illinois

July 21, 2021 10:00 - 35 minutes - 24.5 MB

State Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) moderates the conversation, titled “AG in Illinois," with State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) as they discuss the importance of learning and teaching about contemporary agriculture, how we can protect and sustain farmers and supporting the agriculture industry in Illinois.  Each episode of “In Session” features two to four caucus members with a different member serving as the moderator each week. “In Session” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and...

Pride Month

June 23, 2021 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

This week’s episode of “In Session'' celebrates Pride Month with a conversation among members who have personal connections as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Majority Leader Sen. Kim Lightford (D-Maywood) and state Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) discuss the importance of representation, and how being the mother of transgender child and the first openly gay Illinois state senator has influenced their work in Springfield for the LGBTQ+ community. The episode is moderated by state Sen. Sara Fei...

The Labor Landscape

April 07, 2021 02:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

State Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) moderates the conversation, titled “The Labor Landscape,” with state Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) and state Sen. Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) about the labor movement’s origins, its inclusion of communities of color, and its role in the gig economy.   Each episode of “In Session” features three to four caucus members with a different member serving as the moderator each week. Click subscribe or follow to stay tuned for a new episode each week.  

Women Who Lead

March 17, 2021 05:00 - 50 minutes - 34.6 MB

Episode 7 of In Session, "Women Who Lead," is a discussion featuring Senator Laura Ellman and Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, and is moderated by Senator Julie Morrison. The episode covers challenges and opportunities women face in the Senate, building a bench for future candidates and leaders, and so much more. Happy Women's History Month. 

Legislating During COVID-19

March 10, 2021 06:00 - 43 minutes - 29.7 MB

On this week’s episode of “In Session,” Majority Caucus Chair Mattie Hunter (IL-3) and Senator Robert Martwick (IL-10)  discuss what it's been like legislating during COVID-19, including remote voting, committee work,  partnering with community groups to deliver food, and more.  The episode, titled “Legislating During COVID-19," is moderated by State Sen. Rachelle Aud Crowe (IL-56) “In Session” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the ISDF website. Click subscribe or follow to sta...

The Diversity of the Latinx Experience

March 04, 2021 16:00 - 55 minutes - 37.8 MB

On this week’s episode of  “In Session,” Sen. Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) and new Sen. Cristina Pacione-Zayas (D-Chicago) discuss the importance of representation and inclusion, the term “Latinx” and how they translate their skills prior to becoming legislators into their work in Springfield. The episode, titled “The Diversity of the Latinx Experience,” is moderated by State Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago). “In Session” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the ISDF website. Click su...

Diversity of the Black Experience in Illinois

February 16, 2021 23:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MB

This week's episode is moderated by Black Caucus Chair Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) with guests Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) and Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) The episode includes a moving discussion about the Black experience in different regions of the state, and how that informs members’ work in the Senate. If you haven't yet, subscribe to the podcast to ensure new episodes are added to your feed as soon as they are uploaded. You can follow us on Twitter too. 

Bonus Episode: Senators Simmons & Turner

February 11, 2021 15:00 - 44 minutes - 30.3 MB

In keeping with the podcast’s “New Member Prep” theme this week, here's a bonus pod that features a conversation between Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) and Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) and Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield). Senators Simmons and Turner are the newest members, as well  as history makers in their districts and across the state of Illinois. They talk about their first few days in office and how their past work and life experiences will shape their role in the Senate. As always...

New Member Prep

February 10, 2021 12:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MB

Today's conversation is about how new members are preparing for their role in the Senate, the best advice they’ve received, and how their skills and values from previous jobs will translate to their work in the Senate. The episode is moderated by retired Sen. Pat McGuire with guests Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and Sen. John Connor (D-Joliet) While you're here, make sure to rate and subscribe to the show and follow us on Social Media. Twitter Facebook Instagram 

"How We Won"

January 26, 2021 20:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

Welcome to "In Session," a podcast hosted and moderated by Illinois Senate Democrats. The first episode, featuring Senate President Don Harmon, along with Senators Dave Koehler and Karina Villa, is called “How We Won." The episodes includes discussion about how ISDF retained its seats and win a new seat in the November 2020 cycle and much more.  Rate, Subscribe, and Stay Tuned. 

Twitter Mentions

@electilsendems 3 Episodes
@ellmanforil 1 Episode
@votefordoris 1 Episode
@mikesimmonschi 1 Episode
@julieforsenate 1 Episode
@llcoolk_4 1 Episode
@friendsofelgie 1 Episode
@robertjpeters 1 Episode