Capitol Cast: Illinois

The Illinois Supreme Court took to the road to hear two cyber-related cases before a large audience at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.

State officials plan to shift 74,000 of the state's most vulnerable children into a managed care Medicaid plan; two former lawmakers are suing the state hoping to collect back pay they claim to be owed; and Attorney General Kwame Raoul goes up against opioid manufacturers and tech giant Google.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed 591 bills into law during his first year as governor, including a flurry of bills leading up to the deadline. Now attention turns to the upcoming veto session, which begins in late October, and some of the new issues that are likely to come up then.

Roundtable discussion of the culture of bullying and harassment in House Speaker Michael Madigan's office, Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signing of protections for immigrant tenants and a new minimum teacher salary, and Pritzker's veto of a bill dealing with weapon-like items in public schools. Peter Hancock, Rebecca Anzel and Jerry Nowicki.

After one of the most significant legislative sessions in recent memory, Illinois Democrats and Republicans gathered in Springfield this week to begin shaping their messages about what happened, and how they plan to carry that message into the 2020 election cycle.

Todd Maisch, president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, talks about the state of the economy, whether state government is helping or hurting, and what the business community still hopes to accomplish in the Statehouse.

The Illinois State Fair opens Aug. 8. It's been a cultural institution in Illinois since 1853. John Sullivan, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, joins other officials in talking about what's new and improved this year, what the fair means to many people, and some new developments in the agriculture industry today.

Round table discussion: Gov. J.B. Pritzker challenges the Trump administration on two fronts: Title X funding and legislation protecting immigrant children. Meanwhile a political battle brews over whether Sterigenics can reopen its facility in Willowbrook. Peter Hancock, Rebecca Anzel and Jerry Nowicki discuss.

In 1862, Illinois lawmakers ratified the so-called "Corwin Amendment," a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would have preserved slavery in the Southern states. Now, Republican state Sen. Jason Plummer is pushing a resolution to rescind the state's ratification.

Governor J.B. Pritzker signed two landmark pieces of legislation, a bill legalizing recreational marijuana; and a $45 billion capital improvements program. Sound from both bill-signing ceremonies and a discussion with Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki.

Interview with John Sullivan, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, talking about the historically wet spring planting season and its potential impact statewide. Round table discussion with Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discussing the week's political news.

The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its 2019 regular spring session after passing a budget with $1 billion in new spending,a $45 billion capital improvements plan and sweeping legislation on recreational marijuana, reproductive health rights and much more. Analysis from University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor Christopher Mooney, and a roundtable discussion with the Capit...

As lawmakers head into the final week of the 2019 session, all of the big issues remain on the table: the budget; a capital plan; graduated income taxes; and possible legalization of recreational marijuana, to name just a few.

Roundtable discussion of legislative efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, a proposal to put betting windows inside major league sports stadiums, and pressure on lawmakers to liberalize the state's abortion laws.

Interview with Illinois state Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch who talks about his bill to require diversity on Illinois corporate boards of directors, and about the social justice and equity agenda in general at the Illinois Statehouse.

The Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment allowing for a graduated income tax in Illinois. Now it's on to the House, where rounding up 71 votes could be difficult.

Preview final stretch of 2019 session. Gov. Pritzker's budget proposal and legalization of marijuana. Interviews with GOP Sen. Dale Righter, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford and House Majority Leader Gregory Harris.

Medicaid-funded nursing homes; Illinois population decline; Legislative effort to dissolve some local units of government in McHenry County. Round-table discussion with the Capitol News Illinois team.

Deadline week at the statehouse: Illinois House and Senate work through a mountain of bills in a rush to meet a deadline for passing bills to the other chamber. Plus, a round table discussion with the Capitol News Illinois reporting team.

Analysis of Lori Lightfoot's mayoral victory in Chicago, and what it may mean for Illinois state politics. Interview with University of Illinois - Chicago political science professor Christopher Mooney. Plus, a recap of the week's statehouse news with Capitol News Illinois reporting team.

Interviews with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin; Round table discussion with Capitol News Illinois reporting team.