Capitol Cast: Illinois

Election authorities from around Illinois gathered six months ahead of the 2024 primary election to ask for the public’s help in combating misinformation and disinformation. CNI's Jennifer Fuller talked with Illinois Board of Elections spokesperson Matt Dietrich, and Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman. You can find our reporting on this at capitolnewsillinois.com, and more information about elect...

A weekly look at what happened in and around Illinois, from Capitol News Illinois

Illinois' cash bail system ended September 18. Now, judges have more options when it comes to detention and monitoring for people charged with crimes across the state. Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki talked with Office of Pretrial Services Director Cara Smith about one aspect of the change: electronic monitoring.

Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki discusses the end of cash bail across the state with Office of Statewide Pretrial Services Director Cara Smith.

Capitol News Illinois' Jennifer Fuller talks with political analyst John Jackson of the Southern Illinois University Paul Simon Public Policy Institute about Election 2024

Capitol News Illinois' Jennifer Fuller continues her conversation with former Congressman, SIU System President, and one-time gubernatorial candidate Glenn Poshard about his book, co-written with author Carl Walworth Photo Credit: Byron Hetzler

Capitol News Illinois' Jennifer Fuller talks with former Congressman, SIU System President, and one-time gubernatorial candidate Glenn Poshard about his book, co-written with author Carl Walworth Photo Credit: Byron Hetzler

The two major political parties offered a glimpse into their 2024 strategies at the Illinois State Fair this week. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the major speeches from Governor's Day and Republican Day festivities.

Illinois leaders recently renamed a mental health facility in the capitol city after a woman, once committed against her will, who fought for the rights of those with mental illness and those unjustly held. You can read more about the renaming at capitolnewsillinois.com. Author Kate Moore helped bring the renaming to reality, writing about Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard in her book, “The Woman The...

Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki talks about the news outlet's latest expansion with its incoming broadcast director Jenn Fuller and investigative reporter Molly Parker.

The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the highlights of the just-completed 2023 spring session.

The disaster declaration brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic officially ends Thursday, May 11. Gov. JB Pritzker reflects on what that means and how Illinois got through the last three years.

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses what they're watching in the final three weeks of the legislative session.

The Capitol News Illinois reporting team takes a look at the state of state government in the final one month of the legislative session and recaps the week's developments in the ComEd Four trial.

An interview with Illinois' new state superintendent of schools, Tony Sanders.

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses the week that was in state government, including the trial of the "ComEd Four," Gov. JB Pritzker's mention of tax cuts and a pair of regulatory measures involving ride-shares and new nuclear power construction.

Capitol News Illinois' Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker of Lee Enterprises Midwest discuss their reporting on Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center and the impending changes at the facility with CNI Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki.

Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, talks with Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki about the budget proposal that Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled during his State of the State address Wednesday, Feb. 15

A look at the state budgeting process and what to expect when Gov. JB Pritzker gives his fifth state budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The Capitol News Illinois team welcomes new full-time reporter Hannah Meisel and Public Affairs Reporting intern Nika Schoonover. The reporters all also discuss what they are working on at the beginning of a new legislative session.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis speaks to Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about the new historic makeup of the high court, the court's living quarters and other issues facing the institution.

Republican legislators in the General Assembly have chosen new leadership in both the House and Senate. Sen. John Curran and Rep. Tony McCombie each met members of the media after their wins. Listen to their interviews on the latest edition of Capitol Cast. Peter Hancock's coverage of McCombie's interview is here: https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/mccombie-to-take-reins-of-house-gop-caucus...

An interview with Dr. David Olson of the Loyola University of Chicago Center for Criminal Justice regarding the impending end of cash bail in Illinois. The Center's research can be found here: https://loyolaccj.org/pfa.

With millions of dollars flowing into Illinois judicial elections, Douglas Keith of the Brennan Center for Justice discusses the impact of money in judicial politics and other options for judicial selection.

Judge Elizabeth "Liz" Rochford speaks with Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock about the race for Supreme Court in the state's 2nd District. The interview was conducted Sept. 15. Her opponent is Mark Curran, a former Lake County Sheriff. An interview with Curran can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/supreme-court-2nd-district-an-interview-with-mark-c...