2026 arrives
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.
Jun 27, 2025•15 min
Capitol Cast: Illinois
Your trusted source for news and analysis of Illinois state government
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Episodes
Budget signed; constitutional challenge filed
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a $55.1 billion budget bill into law while criticizing the Trump administration for making budget planning at the state level more difficult. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers filed a constitutional lawsuit challenging a legislative procedure known as "gut and replace," by which many major acts of the General Assembly are passed.
Jun 20, 2025•22 min
Immigration roundup
Protesters took to the streets in Chicago and other major cities this week as the Trump administration stepped up its efforts to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker went to Capitol Hill to defend the state's policies on immigration. Peter Hancock talks with Fred Tsao, of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, about the protests and CNI's Ben Szalinski about the congressional hearings on immigration.
Jun 13, 2025•22 min
Session recap
Illinois lawmakers closed out the 2025 spring session by passing a $55.2 billion budget and a revenue package to help pay for it. But the session was marked as much by what didn't get through the process as what did. The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the major issues that were confronted in the final days of the session.
Jun 06, 2025•23 min
Sprint to the finish line
As the final week of the legislative session approaches, Illinois lawmakers face a daunting task of balancing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the face of slow revenue growth and increased demands for state services. The budget picture became even more complicated this week when the U.S. House passed a budget reconciliation bill - what President Trump calls the "big, beautiful bill" - that would slash federal spending for Medicaid and a host of other programs. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowick...
May 23, 2025•21 min
A new perspective on Mary Todd Lincoln
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.
May 16, 2025•28 min
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Illinois
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.
May 09, 2025•21 min
One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton by Capitol News Illinois
May 02, 2025•18 min
Sen. Durbin announces retirement
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.
Apr 25, 2025•23 min
Down Ballot: Interview with author Patrick Wohl
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.
Apr 18, 2025•25 min
Deadline week and student visas
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.
Apr 11, 2025•32 min
Trade mission to Mexico
Trade mission to Mexico by Capitol News Illinois
Apr 03, 2025•14 min
Waiting for another shoe to drop
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.
Mar 28, 2025•20 min
Nationalizing local politics
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.
Mar 19, 2025•13 min
The mass transit fiscal cliff
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.
Mar 06, 2025•20 min
Budget uncertainty amid looming Medicaid cuts
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.
Feb 27, 2025•22 min
State of the state, 2025
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.
Feb 20, 2025•20 min
Madigan convicted
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.
Feb 14, 2025•42 min
Illinois vs. Trump
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.
Feb 07, 2025•15 min
Federal funds frozen; Madigan trial goes to the jury
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.
Jan 30, 2025•24 min
Trump inauguration puts Illinois on edge
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.
Jan 22, 2025•13 min
Remembering Illinois civil rights leader John J. Bird
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.
Jan 16, 2025•29 min
Capitol News Roundup: Jan. 11, 2025
A tough week for House speakers as 103rd General Assembly comes to an end.
Jan 09, 2025•6 min
One session ends, another begins
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.
Jan 08, 2025•15 min
What to expect in the lame duck session
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.
Jan 02, 2025•21 min
Capitol News Roundup: Dec. 21, 2024
CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.
Dec 20, 2024•5 min
Storm Clouds Ahead in 2025
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.
Dec 19, 2024•24 min
Capitol News Roundup: Dec. 14, 2024
CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.
Dec 12, 2024•6 min
Immigration, quantum computing and the state flag
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.
Dec 11, 2024•14 min
Election Numbers; Madigan Trial
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.
Dec 06, 2024•24 min
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