Capitol Cast: Illinois

Four interns with the University of Illinois Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting program talk about their experience covering the Illinois Statehouse during a pandemic. Guests are Kade Heather, Tim Eggert, Neil Earley and Ben Orner.

Michael Belsky, executive director of the Center for Municipal Finance at the University of Chicago, discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local government revenues and what they should be doing to brace for it.

The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on the Illinois economy. Economist Kenneth Kriz of the University of Illinois - Springfield talks about how it could impact state revenues and services, while Frank Manzo of the Illinois Economic Policy Institute talks about one way the state might be able to blunt some of the impact.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the Illinois economy, forcing Gov. JB Pritzker and state lawmakers to completely rethink the budget plan for the next fiscal year. Sens. Andy Manar (D) and Dan McConchie (R), the chair and minority spokesman of a Senate budget committee, share their views.

University of Chicago economics professor Dan Black talks about the economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic could haveafter more than 114,000 Illinoisans filed first-time unemployment claims.

The Illinois primary elections took place in the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic. Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, discusses how it went.

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Illinois, the legislative session has been put on pause, along with many other ordinary things in life. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss how this could impact the rest of the session.

While Republicans complain Democratic leaders aren't moving forward on property taxes, Rep. Michael Zalewski, who chairs the House Revenue and Finance Committee, talks about how difficult the issue is to resolve.

Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot explain the state's response plan for the spreading coronavirus outbreak, dubbed COVID-19. Plus, the Capitol News Illinois team talks about some of the big Statehouse news of the past week.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is freed from prison during the same week a new study is released showing Chicago the most corrupt city in America, and Illinois the third-most corrupt state. University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor Dick Simpson discusses his research and the history behind the state's corrupt politics.

Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver his second budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 19. But lawmakers are also focusing on their own legislative agendas, including proposals to let college student athletes sign endorsement deals, and a proposed constitutional amendment to overhaul the state's redistricting process ahead of the 2020 census.

The Iowa caucus debacle has some people thinking it should be Illinois' turn to host the first presidential primary; Secretary of State Jesse White Answers lawmakers about errors in the state's automatic voter registration system; and a former legislative inspector general says reports of lawmaker wrongdoing are getting swept under the rug. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel discusss.

Gov. JB Pritzker gave an upbeat State of the State address, but a dark ethical cloud still hangs over the Illinois General Assembly. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's news.

The Illinois Senate has a new president and the 2020 legislative session is about to get underway. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel talk about what's ahead.

In an interview, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker reflects on his first year in office and his priorities for 2020. Discussion and analysis with Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki.

Newly-elected Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker dominated Statehouse news in Illinois during 2019, but federal corruption probes involving several sitting lawmakers also caused a distraction. Analysis from some of the leading players in the General Assembly and discussion with reporters Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel.

Capitol News Illinois reporter Rebecca Anzel talks with the new chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, Anne Burke, about her legal career, goals and advice.

A roundup of the final week of the 2019 veto session in Illinois. Pension fund consolidation, ethics reform, a failed effort to pave the way for a Chicago casino, and a surprise announcement moments after lawmakers adjourned.

Lawmakers return to the Statehouse on Nov. 12 for the final three days of the veto session. Peter Hancock and Rebecca Anzel preview what's ahead.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier sits down with Capitol News Illinois' Rebecca Anzel for a one-on-one interview to discuss the court, challenges and his own personal connection to the state's highest court.

Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki talks with Sam Dunklau of NPR Illinois about the happenings of the first week of veto session, including the arrest and resignationof a state representative, the movement of a bill allowing college athletes to collect endorsement deals and more.

A pension consolidation proposal, some cleanup to legislation legalizing adult use recreational marijuana, and a bill to ban flavored tobacco and vaping products will be considered when the Legislature returns for the fall veto session. The Capitol News Illinois reporting team discusses these issues and more.

The Illinois election system was the target of Russian hackers in 2016. Can that happen again in 2020? Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections, discusses what the state is doing to improve cyber security and the different types of threats that still exist.

The federal probe into Sen. Martin Sandoval heats up with the release of unredacted copies of the federal search warrant that was executed last month. Rebecca Anzel discusses a renewed effort to reinstate the death penalty in Illinois. And Jerry Nowicki discusses a legislative effort to lower the out-of-pocket cost of insulin.

Amid an FBI probe, Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls on a state senator to step down as chairman of the Transportation Committee; Sterigenics says it will not reopen its Willowbrook plant; and one lawmaker wants college athletes in Illinois to get paid for endorsement deals.