Capitol Cast: Illinois

Bob Fioretti, the Republican candidate for attorney general, sits down with Ben Szalinski to discuss his plans for the office if he wins, crime in Illinois, and much more. This interview was recorded on October 13.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul sits down with Ben Szalinski to discuss his goals if reelected, funding for his office, and much more. This interview was recorded on October 20.

Diane Harris, the republican candidate for secretary of state, sits down with Ben Szalinski to discuss what she would change if elected, running a race as a massive underdog, and more.

Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias sits down with Brenden Moore to discuss running for running reelection and mayor of Chicago at the same time, what he's accomplished in his first term, and much more.

Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs sits down with Brenden Moore to discuss running for a fourth term, how the Trump administration has impacted his office, and much more.

Governor JB Pritzker sits down with Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore to discuss his decision to run for a third term, what he hopes to accomplish if reelected, and more.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey sits down with Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore to discuss his plans for the office, why he thinks he can separate his personal beliefs from how he will govern, and what he’s doing differently in 2026.

Bryan Drew, the Republican candidate for comptroller, talks with Brenden Moore about his vision for the office, using artificial intelligence, and much more.

Margaret Croke, the Democratic candidate for comptroller, talks with Ben Szalinski about her experience in state government, some of the office’s unique responsibilities and much more.

Independent candidate for governor Collin Corbett discusses his campaign with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore. The interview is part of a series of election interviews focusing on statewide races for elected office.

Illinois Democrats and Republicans honed their messages for the upcoming midterm elections during their traditional rallies at the Illinois State Fair. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses what they heard during the festivities and what those messages say about the campaigns ahead.

The Illinois State Fair got underway this week, marking the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 general election campaign. The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down what to expect during political events that coincide with the fair. Plus, an update on CNI's pursuit of public records from the Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois' response to the Trump administration's change in vaccinat...

CNI Reporter Ben Szalinski talks one-on-one with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch about criticism he has received over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former Rep. Harry Benton.

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch vows to push for additional school funding during the fall veto session as Chicago Public Schools prepares for layoffs. Welch is also coming under pressure over his handling of the Harry Benton sexual harassment scandal as Rep. Fred Crespo calls for him to step down. Plus, Gov. JB Pritzker signs a statewide cellphone ban for public schools and the State Board of...

GOP calls for transparency; Noncitizen voting explained by Capitol News Illinois

Races at the top of the Illinois ballot this year do not appear competitive, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki discuss that and other top stories of the week.

One Democratic member of the House has been forced to resign and another has come under federal indictment. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court upholds Illinois' assault weapon ban; the Trump administration threatens to prosecute state election officials; and a CNI analysis shows inequities remain in Illinois' school finance system. Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel, Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki disc...

July 1 marked the start of a new fiscal year, and the full launch of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Teresa Ramos, secretary of the new agency, talks about the work leading up to the launch and how the new agency will serve Illinois families.

Maggie Daugherty discusses a story she cowrote with the Illinois Answers Project that explores the impact that legalized gambling has on people who suffer from gambling addiction. Brenden Moore discusses new consumer protection laws aimed at controlling junk fees and ticket scalping. And Ben Szalinski gives an update on other new laws taking effect at the start of the new state fiscal year on July...

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the $55.9 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year, along with a revenue package to help pay for it. Meanwhile, lawmakers failed to take action regulating data centers in Illinois, but controversy over those developments is now going away. And a federal lawsuit seeks to block the state's Medical Aid in Dying law from going into effect in September. Ben Szalinski,...

The spring 2026 legislative session with lawmakers agreeing to deals on a budget and revenue package, but not a deal for the Chicago Bears. Peter Hancock Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki analyze the highlights of the final few days.

Longtime U.S. Senator delivered a farewell speech to a joint session of the General Assembly, echoing Abraham Lincoln's warning about "a house divided." Meanwhile, Lawmakers continued working on a budget and a handful of other policy issues as the 2026 legislative session draws to a close. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's developments.

A federal judge slammed the U.S. Attorney's office this week for its handling of prosecutions against the "Broadview Six" defendants. And lawmakers work to put together a budget package as the 2026 legislative session winds to a close.

Jerry Nowicki, Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert discuss the week's news, from data center and AI regulation to the budget and the Chicago Bears.

Budget negotiations have begun to take shape but there are serious divisions within the General Assembly over whether the state needs to control spending or raise additional revenue. Plus, a watchdog commission appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to review Operation Midway Blitz has referred some federal immigration agents for possible prosecution.