A federal jury on Tuesday convicted four top lobbyists and executives at a state-regulated utility in Illinois' highest-profile corruption case since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted 13 years ago. The jury convicted the defendants on all counts in the case in which prosecutors alleged former state lawmaker and lobbyist Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former contract lobbyist Jay Doherty were involved in a multi-year scheme to gai...
May 05, 2023•24 min•Ep. 240
In his first address before a full joint session of the General Assembly since before the pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker presented his State of the State and budget address Wednesday. Included was a $49.6 billion budget proposal, an increase in spending by over $3 billion from last year’s budget. With the threat of a possible recession on the horizon, some are worried that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget is trending toward future tax hikes. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com...
Apr 28, 2023•24 min•Ep. 239
Some downstate Illinois lawmakers are voicing concerns over Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s proposed spending spree. Johnson told lawmakers they must commit to working together if both the city and state are to succeed. He said his time at the statehouse is about building a better, stronger and safer Chicago by establishing a strong foundation for collaboration. The Illinois Supreme Court has denied a motion to disqualify two justices from hearing a challenge to the state's new gun ban ove...
Apr 21, 2023•24 min•Ep. 238
After hours of oral arguments Wednesday, a federal judge now has the case challenging Illinois’ gun ban with a ruling on a preliminary injunction expected in the weeks ahead. Plaintiffs say they are confident they’ll get the law overturned. A new report on U.S. state’s economic outlook paints a bleak picture for Illinois. Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore is expected to take the stand as part of her own defense as early as Thursday as the federal corruption probe targeting her and three other de...
Apr 14, 2023•24 min•Ep. 237
Because of “unreasonably large campaign contributions” to then-candidates and now sitting justices on the Illinois Supreme Court from lead defendants in the case challenging the state’s gun ban, plaintiffs are seeking two judges recusal. The state of Illinois has been given an extension to the deadline it has to file an appeal of a circuit court’s ruling in a case over when the state can suspend someone’s Firearm Owner ID Card. The Illinois Freedom Caucus is calling for an ethics investigation i...
Apr 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 236
As population growth in the nation’s largest counties rebounded in 2022, Illinois continued to see population losses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2022 estimates, 92 of Illinois' 102 counties lost residents from July 2021 to July of last year. Cook County lost a staggering 68,314 people, the second highest total by number in the country behind only Los Angeles County. Defense attorney Scott Lassar opened his cross-examination of prosecution star witness Fidel Marquez on Wednesda...
Mar 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 235
Former Commonwealth Edison chief lawyer Tom O’Neill said Wednesday that over time he came to work hand-in-hand with associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to secure jobs for them in high-profile positions. O’Neill took the stand for a second day in the ComEd bribery trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago. Former House Speaker Michael Madigan called the shots on a bill that was worth $1.8 billion to Illinois' largest electrical utility. That's what the state lawmaker who spo...
Mar 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 234
The specter of indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan loomed large during opening arguments in the “ComEd 4” bribery trial at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse Wednesday. The longest serving legislative leader in U.S. history seemed everywhere during arguments while he personally was nowhere to be found during the daylong proceedings in the overflow courtroom of U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber. As part of her opening, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker left little to the imaginati...
Mar 17, 2023•24 min•Ep. 233
Gov. J.B. Pritzker doesn’t just appear at the top as a defendant in the Macon County gun-ban challenge in front of the Illinois Supreme Court. He’s also the top donor for two supreme court justices’ campaigns. Pritzker donated a total of $2 million to then-Illinois Supreme Court candidates Mary O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford, $1 million each. The governor signed a law in 2022 that capped contribution limits in such campaigns to $500,000 from “any single person.” Despite that, to each candidate, ...
Mar 10, 2023•24 min•Ep. 232
Lori Lightfoot's tenure as Chicago mayor will end after her first term. Lightfoot – widely criticized as rising violent crime plagued the city during her four years in office, for her strict COVID-19 restrictions, and as students in Chicago Public Schools struggled to perform at grade level – conceded in her race for re-election in Tuesday's primary. A judge is expected to rule on key motions that seek to limit what the jury will hear before a high-profile corruption case involving longtime form...
Mar 03, 2023•24 min•Ep. 231
The attorneys with state-level challenges against Illinois’ gun ban disagree on whether the cases should be consolidated. Gov. J.B. Pritzker enacted a ban on more than 170 different semi-automatic firearms and magazines over certain capacities on Jan. 10. Since then, a series of lawsuits have been filed in federal and state courts challenging the law. The law exempts individuals in certain occupations, such as law enforcement, prison staff and security officers from the gun ban. An appeal is exp...
Feb 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 230
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss with the threat of a possible recession on the horizon, some are worried that Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget is trending toward future tax hikes. Representatives from the state's five pension systems testified to lawmakers over the past few weeks with updates on their unfunded liabilities, leaving lawmakers to come up with a fix. The state’s motion seeking a delay in its required response to a fed...
Feb 17, 2023•47 min•Ep. 229
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss that about 2,100 more Illinois citizens are now safe from the state enforcing Illinois’ gun ban against them after a third temporary restraining order was issued Wednesday. Recent court cases across the country challenging gun regulations could be an issue for conversation at the Illinois statehouse as the state faces a bevy of lawsuits over its gun and magazine ban. An ally of former Illinois House Spe...
Feb 10, 2023•53 min•Ep. 228
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the temporary restraining order against Illinois’ gun ban issued by an Effingham County judge has been upheld by the Fifth District Appellate Court of Illinois. The state of Illinois is expected to ask for an expedited review by the Illinois Supreme Court after a temporary restraining order was upheld Tuesday against Illinois’ gun ban on behalf of 866 plaintiffs who sued in Effingham County. Now that th...
Feb 03, 2023•55 min•Ep. 227
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss lawsuits brought against Illinois’ new gun ban that are working their way through the judicial process. Board officials from Illinois' second most populated county heard from residents on both sides of the debate about whether the sheriff there should enforce the state's gun ban. Illinois voters rejected a proposal in 2020 to change the state's flat income tax to a graduated tax. There are currently dis...
Jan 27, 2023•39 min•Ep. 226
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the first federal lawsuit against Illinois’ gun ban and registry has been announced by the Illinois State Rifle Association. It follows two others that were filed in state court Tuesday. With a ruling on a temporary restraining order against Illinois’ gun ban expected before the end of the day Friday, each side of the issue says they’re confident they’ll prevail. With two different U.S. presidents being...
Jan 20, 2023•48 min•Ep. 225
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they discuss the fact that the sale of certain semi-automatic guns and magazines is now prohibited in Illinois with a law Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Tuesday night. Gun-rights groups say they’ll see him and legislative leaders in court. With a new ban on certain guns now in place in Illinois, some have said they won’t comply. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a message for law enforcement: Do your job or else. Gun-rights groups ...
Jan 13, 2023•47 min•Ep. 224
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug & Executive Editor Dan McCaleb they take a look at the possible paths forward now that the Illinois Supreme Court has halted the cashless bail portion of the criminal justice legislation called the SAFE-T Act, many are wondering what happens next. Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield for lame-duck session. The House introduced new members. Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a proposed ban on future sales of certain semi-automatic gu...
Jan 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 223
Join The Center Square’s Illinois Reporter Greg Bishop as he takes a look at the top news stories in the state of Illinois in the year 2022 and what to expect out of Illinois in 2023. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Dec 30, 2022•24 min•Ep. 222
Join The Center Square’s Executive Editor Dan McCaleb & Publisher Chris Krug as they discuss the Illinois Census update. Civil disobedience? Enforcement of proposed Illinois gun ban questioned. Judge to determine what happens next with Illinois' SAFE-T Act. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Dec 22, 2022•44 min•Ep. 221
Join The Center Square’s Executive Editor Dan McCaleb & Illinois Reporter Greg Bishop as they discuss the testifying of opponents of proposed Illinois gun ban with more hearings expected. Financial impact from Illinois' no cash bail discussed. Illinois again leads nation in gun background checks. Illinois drivers can expect two gas tax increases in 2023. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support...
Dec 16, 2022•34 min•Ep. 220
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss: Gun Rights Groups Plan Lawsuits if Illinois Lawmakers Pass New Restrictions. Gun store owner: Proposed gun and magazine ban would make criminals of ordinary Illinoisans. Pritzker signs amendments to SAFE-T Act. Religious symbols from Christians, Jews, Satanists on display at Illinois State Capitol. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support...
Dec 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 219
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss the Safe-T Act Amendments Include Denying Pretrial Release for Serious Crimes. Changes to issuing warrants for failing to appear in court also concerns opponents of SAFE-T Act. Amendment 1 could force changes to Illinois' SAFE-T Act police regulations. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support...
Dec 02, 2022•41 min•Ep. 218
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss the increase in cost of a Thanksgiving meal in Illinois. Record number of shoppers expected for Thanksgiving weekend. Three legislative session days remain before Illinois' no-cash bail enacts Jan. 1. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Nov 23, 2022•40 min•Ep. 217
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss how some state lawmakers are urging action to address the scourge of fentanyl. Only ‘technical’ fixes to SAFE-T Act expected as Illinois lawmakers close first week of veto session. Illinois Amendment 1: Some waiting for certified tally while supporters claim victory. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support...
Nov 18, 2022•41 min•Ep. 216
Join The Center Square’s Publisher Chris Krug and Executive Editor Dan McCaleb as they discuss Illinois Democrats maintaining a supermajority in Illinois legislature. Pritzker wins second term as Illinois governor as Bailey concedes. Democrats sweep Illinois statewide offices. Illinois lawmakers could address SAFE-T Act concerns as early as next week. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support...
Nov 10, 2022•49 min•Ep. 215
Join The Center Square's Publisher Chris Krug and Associate Editor Greg Bishop as they discuss: Threats of violence, controversial ads mark final days of Illinois’ gubernatorial race. Illinois candidates continue push for more votes ahead of next weeks' election. Madigan, McClain enter not guilty pleas to latest corruption charges. After Madigan’s not guilty plea, Republicans warn more corruption charges could be ahead. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-fo...
Nov 04, 2022•48 min•Ep. 214
Truth in Accounting’s 13th annual Financial State of the States ranked Illinois 48th in the country, the same rank as last year. Only two other states, New Jersey and Connecticut, graded worse than Illinois for fiscal health. The review is of the states' fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Oct 28, 2022•52 min•Ep. 214
The candidates discussed several topics, including crime, Chicago, and the performance of the Department of Child and Family Services and its director Marc Smith. The department has had significant issues despite budget increases in the past three years. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Oct 21, 2022•55 min•Ep. 213
A recent donation of nearly $14 million to a political action committee signals voters will be getting a barrage of political ads heading into the final few weeks before the Nov. 8 election. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/illinois-in-focus/support
Oct 14, 2022•50 min•Ep. 212
