Capitol Cast: Illinois

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.

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.