Capitol Cast: Illinois

Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran 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. 30. His opponent is Elizabeth "Liz" Rochford, a 19th Judicial Circuit judge. An interview with Rochford can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/supreme-court-2nd-district-...

Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Republican challenger Thomas DeVore face off in a forum hosted by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors.

Capitol News Illinois continues our candidate interviews with Appellate Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien, who is running for a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.

Capitol News Illinois interviews Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Burke, a Republican who is seeking a full 10-year term on the bench.

A discussion of a constitutional amendment that will come before voters in the November general election.

An interview with Democratic secretary of state candidate and state Rep. Dan Brady. The interview with his challenger, Democrat Alexi GIannoulias, is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/secretary-of-states-race-an-interview-with-alexi-giannoulias

An interview with Democratic secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias. The interview with his challenger, state Rep. Dan Brady, is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/secretary-of-states-race-an-interview-with-dan-brady

Comptroller Susana Mendoza speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki and reporter Peter Hancock about her record in office and what she would plan to do with another term. An accompanying interview with candidate Shannon Teresi can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/comptrollers-race-an-interview-with-shannon-teresi/s-jrVQ9cZqyOH?si=fd8890f0b4c84cceb1b2...

McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki and reporter Peter Hancock about her plans for the office of comptroller should voters elect her. An accompanying interview with Comptroller Susana Mendoza can be found here. https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/comptrollers-race-an-interview-with-susana-mendoza/s-jbgB6YHwY6D?si=fd8890f0b4c8...

A joint interview with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Darren Bailey, candidates for Illinois governor, conducted by the Illinois Associated Press Media Association Editors.

State Rep. Tom Demmer, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about what he would do with the office if elected by voters on Nov. 8. Nowicki's interview with Treasurer Michael Frerichs is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/treasurers-race-an-interview-with-michael-frerichs/s-jIpCmDULysk?si=268ce78872574f51981312c7...

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about what he's done in his two terms as treasurer and what his plans are for a third. He'll face Republican Rep. Tom Demmer in the Nov. 8 general election. Nowicki's interview with Frerichs' challenger, Tom Demmer, is available here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/treasurers-race-...

The 2022 general election campaign season got into full swing with political events at the Illinois State Fair and the first gubernatorial candidate forum. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss the major themes and issues to watch.

Gov. JB Pritzker sits down for a one-on-one interview, and Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki takes a look at the election-night speeches of Pritzker and his GOP challenger Darren Bailey.

Secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias talks to Capitol News Illinois about his plans to modernize the secretary of state's office should voters elect him to it. He also talks about his union support and time as Illinois Treasurer and in the private banking field. Further coverage of the race from the Chicago Tribune is below. Democratic race for secretary of state has one candidate trying...

Secretary of state candidate Anna Valencia talks to Capitol News Illinois about her plans for the office should voters give her the Democratic nomination. She has plans for an Illinois Civic Corps, modernizing the office and tightening ethics laws. She touches on the contentious nature of a race in which her husband's lobbying career has been in the spotlight. Further coverage of the race from the...

Illinois Secretary of State candidate David Moore talks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about his plans for the office should voters choose him to replace outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White. It's the first of three interviews with Democratic SOS candidates that Capitol News Illinois will publish ahead of the Tuesday, June 28 primary election.

Illinois' political map has shifted dramatically in the 21st century with Democrats now dominating large cities and the suburbs, and Republicans holding small towns and rural areas. Two researchers at Southern Illinois University, John Jackson and John Foster, discuss that trend and the new paper they have just published. (Read the whole paper at https://news.siu.edu/2022/06/061522-Latest-SIU-Paul...

All six Republican candidates for governor took part in a televised debate this week, discussing their stands on gun control, abortion and other issues. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss where the race is headed.

The Census Bureau says Illinois' population may actually have grown during the 2010s. Plus, DCFS Director Marc Smith is held in contempt again and gas station owners sue over signage they will soon be required to post on gas pumps. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Beth Hundsdorfer break down the news of the week.

Illinois politicians react to the leaked draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court is about to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Grace Kinnicutt discuss those developments and other news of the week.

A bill that infuses $2.7 billion into the state's beleaguered Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund has become one of the most hotly debated issues in Springfield. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss what it's all about.

Jerry Nowicki speaks with former federal prosecutor and current defense attorney Nancy DePodesta on what to expect in the trial of former speaker Michael Madigan, and why it's not likely to happen soon.

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted this week on 22 counts of corruption involving a collection of schemes that federal prosecutors are calling "the Madigan Enterprise."

Gov. JB Pritzker announces the statewide indoor mask mandate will expire at the end of February, with some exceptions. The Capitol News Illinois team analyzes that issue and other news of the week.