Capitol Cast: Illinois

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses Gov. Pritzker's energy proposal, a new report on a COVID-19 outbreak at a veterans home, landmark health care reform legislation and emergency housing assistance.

State Rep. Tim Butler, the ranking Republican on the House Redistricting Committee, talks about the GOP's proposal for an independent redistricting commission.

What does the Illinois Treasurer do? We speak with Treasurer Mike Frerichs about his role in Illinois state government and some of the programs his office oversees.

The Illinois Senate was back in the Statehouse and passed some significant legislation while the House continued to hold remote committee meetings. The CNI team discusses some of the major developments.

Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki talks with Gov. JB Pritzker about the state's budget for the upcoming fiscal year, whether the pandemic has affected his relationship with lawmakers, and whether his use of executive authority over the past year has redefined the powers of the governorship.

On the anniversary of Gov. JB Pritzker's statewide disaster declaration, the Capitol News Illinois team discusses how the pandemic has affected everyday life in Illinois, and how close the state is to emerging from it.

The CNI news team discusses the election of a new Democratic Party state chairwoman, the state's staggering pension debt, pushes to reopen more activity in the state and other news of the week.

A new survey of Illinois school districts shows a large and persistent teacher shortage that is getting worse in many parts of the state. The Capitol News Illinois team takes a close look at the numbers statewide and in some particular regions.

Governor JB Pritzker delivered his third budget address since taking office and longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resigned from the General Assembly. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses the budget and the significance of Madigan's departure.

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, of Western Springs, discusses the new House Rules, the new state party chairman and the future of the Republican Party in Illinois.

Acting Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II discusses the state of agriculture in Illinois, the emerging market for industrial hemp, the impact of COVID-19 on the ag industry and prospects for the new Biden administration.

Newly-elected Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaks with Capitol News Illinois' Peter Hancock about the challenges now facing the state and how he plans to approach his new job.

The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the General Assembly's lame duck session and the election of a new House speaker.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed positive signs in Illinois as federal funding for state responses is about to run out. Troubling outbreaks occurred at state-run veterans homes and the attorney general joined a multi-state antitrust suit against Facebook.

The CNI news team breaks down the new surge in COVID-19 cases, how that's affecting the General Assembly and the results of the Nov. 3 general election that produced changes in the state Supreme Court and the Legislature.

As Election Day nears, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in Illinois. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses the upcoming votes for a graduated income tax amendment and two seats on the Illinois Supreme Court as well as a legislative push for statewide police reform.

Voters in Illinois and across the country are shattering records for early voting this year. Brian Gaines, a political science professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, talks about what that means as well as the pros and cons of early voting.

The Capitol News Illinois team discusses a new surge in COVID-19 cases, record level advance voting ahead of the 2020 elections, the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda and other major news of the week.

An interview with former Gov. George Ryan about his new book, "Until I Could Be Sure: How I Stopped the Death Penalty in Illinois."

The U.S. Attorney's office has given the Special Investigating Committee a green light to pursue its probe into Speaker Michael Madigan's role in the ComEd bribery case. Rep. Tom Demmer, the ranking Republican on the panel, discusses what's next. Plus, a roundtable discussion of the 2020 Census and the state of the coronavirus pandemic.

A special Investigative Committee got underway this week to examine House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in the Commonwealth Edison bribery scandal. And Black and Latino lawmakers became upset when finalists were announced for the first 75 "social equity" marijuana business licenses was announced.

A special committee is about to meet to investigate House Speaker Michael Madigan's role in an alleged bribery scheme involving utility giant Commonwealth Edison. Peter Hancock talks with two members of that committee, Democratic Chairman Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Republican Rep. Grant Wehrli.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues its resurgence in Illinois; Exelon says it plans to close two nuclear power plants next year; a program to expand broadband access statewide gets started as students prepare for another semester of online learning; and tobacco use is up among Illinois teenagers. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki, Ray Troncoso and Rebecca Anzel analyze the week's news.

Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock discuss Gov. JB Pritzker's roadmap for a new clean energy policy as well asrecap the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic and its grip on the state's economy.

Reporter Raymon Troncoso talks with Jordan Powell, president and CEO of the Illinois Primary Health Care Association about how and why COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black and Latino communities. Theme music, "Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/