The Center Square's Greg Bishop discusses the main points coming out of a U.S. House committee looking into taxpayer funding of NPR and PBS as Democrats maintain focus on military discussions via an encrypted messaging app. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 27, 2025•40 min•Ep. 481
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares the back-and-forth about the possible impacts on Illinois' education funds following President Donald Trump's executive orders to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 26, 2025•40 min•Ep. 480
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares a conversation with New Illinois Chairman G.H. Merritt about an upcoming convention for her group and the overall movement to split the state into two. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 24, 2025•37 min•Ep. 479
(The Center Square) – Despite an historic amount of witness slips in opposition to the Illinois Homeschool Act, the controversial legislation is advancing. Hundreds of homeschool families were in Springfield Wednesday to oppose the measure that adds more regulations on homeschooling families. Among the requirements are that families report to the state that they are homeschooling. If not, the child could be listed as truant with penalties applying. It also would require "a homeschool administrat...
Mar 22, 2025•24 min•Ep. 478
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the back and forth over President Donald Trump's executive order to begin the process of closing down the U.S. Department of Education and the possible impacts on Illinois. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 21, 2025•43 min•Ep. 477
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the debate inside and outside the committee which passed the Illinois Homeschool Act. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 20, 2025•24 min•Ep. 476
The Center Square's Greg Bishop airs some of the debate in Illinois around education, from the potential closure of the U.S. Department of Education to a bill looking to regulate Illinois homeschool families. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 19, 2025•30 min•Ep. 475
The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes a look at the proposed Illinois Homeschool Act that's set for a public hearing Wednesday morning and the flood of witness slips filed by the public in opposition to the proposed regulations. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Ep. 474
The Center Square's Greg Bishop takes an look at the continued questioning of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and whether he plans to run for a third term as governor and then for president in 2028. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 473
(The Center Square) – Although most Illinois public school students test below grade level in reading and math, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting his administration’s record spending on public education. Pritzker addressed the Illinois Education Association Representative Assembly in Rosemont Thursday. The governor encouraged union members to fight back against potential cuts to the U.S. Department of Education by President Donald Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency. “IEA, are you read...
Mar 15, 2025•24 min•Ep. 471
The Center Square's Greg Bishop shares some of the recent debate from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state legislators about the ongoing Trump administration changes at the U.S. Department of Education. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 14, 2025•22 min•Ep. 472
The Center Square Associate Editor Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square's Casey Harper from the Washington D.C. bureau about Trump administration tariffs, DOGE and the border. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 13, 2025•39 min•Ep. 470
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews Jim Talamonti's story "NFIB: Businesses would consider leaving if IL imposes non-electric vehicle ban" and watches some statements President Donald Trump made while purchasing a Tesla with Elon Musk at the White House. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx...
Mar 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 469
Mar 10, 2025•32 min•Ep. 468
(The Center Square) – The mayor of Chicago testified during a congressional hearing Wednesday that his city is safer because of its Welcoming City ordinance. “Any actions that amplify fears of deportations make Chicago more dangerous. Those fears cause witnesses and victims to avoid cooperating with police,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. Johnson joined mayors from Boston, Denver and New York City before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Kentu...
Mar 08, 2025•24 min•Ep. 466
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews the latest on expected efforts of President Donald Trump to order the closing of the U.S. Department of Education, and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland, to the prospect. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx...
Mar 07, 2025•37 min•Ep. 467
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the U.S. House hearing on migrant sanctuary jurisdictions featuring Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and others. He also shares some of a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, about the state seeking to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against the state. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx...
Mar 06, 2025•42 min•Ep. 465
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump’s speech in front of a joint session of Congress and provides some of the responses from Illinois elected officials. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 05, 2025•47 min•Ep. 464
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of President Donald Trump’s comments about the tariffs he’s imposing on Mexico and Canada and the reaction from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Mar 04, 2025•34 min•Ep. 463
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the comments from Illinois' elected officials over the contentious televised meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and also reviews the back and forth over federal spending on health care.
Mar 03, 2025•34 min•Ep. 462
(The Center Square) – The Illinois House Gun Violence Prevention Committee continues to hear proposals involving further gun control measures. One would create a task force to investigate insurance mandates for gun owners. The other would increase fees for transferring firearms. State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, has House Bill 33 to increase the fee from $2 to $10 for when someone transfers a firearm to someone else. He said the extra funds would be used to go after those with expired or revok...
Mar 01, 2025•24 min•Ep. 460
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the recent comments from Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker complaining about the administration of President Donald Trump. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Feb 28, 2025•36 min•Ep. 461
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the highlights from an Illinois Auditor General report on the state’s Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults which found large cost overruns from what was estimated. This comes as groups push for more subsidies for non-citizens. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Feb 27, 2025•38 min•Ep. 459
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews some of the headlines out the U.S. Congress with the passage of a spending plan and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s complaint to the Trump administration over the withholding of federal funds. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Feb 26, 2025•37 min•Ep. 458
Greg Bishop talks with The Center Square reporter Jim Talamonti about his coverage of the historic corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resulting in 10 convictions. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Feb 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 457
The Center Square's Greg Bishop reviews comments Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made during his budget address, including spending five minutes talking about Nazis. Support this podcast: https://secure.anedot.com/franklin-news-foundation/ce052532-b1e4-41c4-945c-d7ce2f52c38a?source_code=xxxxxx
Feb 24, 2025•49 min•Ep. 456
Feb 21, 2025•24 min•Ep. 455
(The Center Square) – Longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted Wednesday on 10 corruption-related charges, but the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on an overarching racketeering conspiracy. The jury also deadlocked on all six counts that Madigan's codefendant, Michael McClain, was charged with. Madigan, 82, was charged in March 2022 with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in connection with a scheme that federal prosecutors referred t...
Feb 14, 2025•24 min•Ep. 454
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago, and local officials alleging they are exacerbating the border crisis and thwarting federal officials with sanctuary city policies. The Justice Department asked a judge to declare the state and local laws unconstitutional under the federal government's supremacy clause. The complaint, filed Thursday, specifically referenced the Illinois Way Forward Act and the 2017 TRUST Act al...
Feb 07, 2025•24 min•Ep. 453
(The Center Square) – Jurors started deliberating at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in Chicago. Judge John Robert Blakey handed the case to the jury shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. The judge first provided a few final instructions about communications and asked jurors to choose a foreperson once they were in the jury room. He also displayed the verdict forms each juror would receive and said the verdict...
Jan 31, 2025•24 min•Ep. 452
