The Illinoize Podcast

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. We dig deeper into the senate race with Olivia Olander of the Chicago Tribune. If you don’t subscribe to our YouTube channel , you should. You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acc...

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor, Christian Mitchell. If you don’t subscribe to our YouTube channel , you should. You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe

We sit down with Republican Lt. Governor candidate Aaron Del Mar and Independent Lt. Governor candidate Carolyn Schofield. If you don’t subscribe to our YouTube channel , you should. You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/sub...

We’re going deep on the U.S. Senate race this week with GOP nominee Don Tracy. We’re also talking politics with Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois. Here’s the YouTube version (and you should click ‘subscribe’ while you’re there: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe

The pod comes to you this week from the Illinois State Fair, where we visit with Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield). We talk a little about the Fair and a lot about politics. Here’s the YouTube version (and you should click ‘subscribe’ while you’re there: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscri...

We have invited all three candidates for Governor to sit down interviews ahead of the November election. This week, we visited the campaign office of Independent candidate Collin Corbett. You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon . Here’s the video: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theill...

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) to discuss a sexual harassment scandal that has ensnared House Speaker Chris Welch and the federal indictment of Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana). We're also joined by Capitol News Illinois statehouse reporter Brenden Moore for analysis. You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon .Learn more: www....

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Governor JB Pritzker for a one-on-one interview on ethics, DCFS, property taxes, energy prices, and his 2028 ambitions. We're also joined by Chicago Tribune political reporter Dan Petrella, who is covering Pritzker's re-election campaign, for reaction. You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Here’s the video: This is a public episode. If yo...

Here’s our latest edition of The Illinoize Podcast with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). You can subscribe to the audio feed on Apple , Spotify , and Amazon . Here’s the video version: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe

Patrick Pfingsten looks ahead to the final stretch of the spring legislative session with Republican and Democratic views in the House of Representatives. Patrick is joined by Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) to discuss property taxes, the Bears stadium, local government funding, gas taxes, and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...

Patrick Pfingsten breaks down the 9th Congressional District Democratic primary with Matthew Eadie of Evanston Now and the 7th and 8th District Democratic primaries with Mitchell Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times. We also sit down with State Comptroller Susana Mendoza on the election to replace her and the "ham handed" actions of Governor JB Pritzker to influence what she says should be an "inde...

Is the GOP primary for governor over? We sit down with gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski, who says former Sen. Darren Bailey does not have the race locked up. We also discuss outside spending on primaries, check in on big races, and talk about property taxes and the Bears stadium mess with former Rep. Mark Batinick. Here’s the video: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

Patrick Pfingsten sits down with 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who is the frontrunner in the 2026 GOP primary for Governor. We also discuss the latest in the Bears stadium mess with Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Lik...

The Illinoize Podcast is back and looking ahead to what may happen at the Statehouse this year. We're joined by Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) as Republicans try to make an impact in the superminority. We're also joined by longtime Madigan spokesman Steve Brown to talk about his time with the imprisoned former Speaker, what he knew and when he knew it. Learn more: www.theillinoize...

The Illinoize Podcast- January 9, 2026 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe

Good afternoon, Illinois. Our podcast has been a bit on the shelf for a while, but we had an opportunity to sit down this morning with House Speaker Chris Welch on the morning after the fall veto session. We discussed the recussitation and passage of a major mass transit bailout bill, a bill to protect immigrants in the country illegally, and the passage of energy legislation. You can listen to th...

As House Speaker Chris Welch has appointed a Democrat-only working group to address the looming funding crisis for Chicago area mass transit systems, one of the co-chairs of the group, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the funding hole, reform, if it will result in a tax increase, and why Republicans weren’t allowed at the table. We’re also joined by Ray Long of...

After Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President Monday morning, speculation about Pritzker for Vice President immediately kicked in. We discuss Pritzker's chances, the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and more with Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson and Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discus...

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) joins The Illinoize to discuss former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions, the Gotion battery plant deal, GOP views of IVF and abortion, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel. We're also joined by former State Representative and pollster Mark Batinick about polling showing broad opposition to public funding for a new Bears stadium and numbers trending for...

With a week remaining before lawmakers are scheduled to pass a budget and leave Springfield, tensions remain high between Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers over $800 million in tax increases. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discusses where things stand and if Democrats can adjourn on time. We’ll also preview the final week of session with Ben Szalinski, a legislative reporter for The Dail...

As the spring legislative session heats up and winds down all at the same time, we check in with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) on budget talks, the Bears, and a bill ending slating of legislative candidates. We also talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fruitless trip to Springfield with Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner. Subscribe on YouTube or on your favorite podca...

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the failures of the Prisoner Review Board that led to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We’re joined by Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to discuss how to fix the board. Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt also joins us to discuss his new book on former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot “ The City is Up for Grabs. ” You can view the video version below: This is...

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises, Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune, and Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald to preview top congressional and legislative primaries around the state this Tuesday.  You can watch the video of our live stream below: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thei...

We’re joined by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) on the Trump impact on Republican candidates, property taxes, and the state’s migrant crisis. We’re also joined by Dean Olsen of the Illinois Times, who has been covering the pending corruption trial of former Sen. Sam McCann. Subscribe on YouTube or on your favorite podcast app like on Apple , Spotify , or Amazon . This is a public episode. If you'd...

Our conversation with Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long on corruption, Madigan, Burke, and more. You can watch the video version below: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe