Capitol Cast: Illinois

Karina Villa discusses her candidacy for Illinois comptroller. She is currently a Democratic state senator from West Chicago. This interview is part of a special series of podcasts focusing on major party candidates for statewide offices in the upcoming March 17 primaries.

Stephanie Kifowit is a Democratic candidate for Illinois comptroller. She currently serves as a state representative from Ogden. She spoke with Capitol News Illinois on Friday, Jan. 23, as part of our series featuring major party candidates running for statewide offices in the March 17 primaries.

An in-depth interview with Holly Kim, a candidate in the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller. This is the first in a series of special episodes focusing on candidates for statewide office in the March 17 primary elections.

In a follow-up to a report we featured last year, new research shows there are some education and career pathways that enable young people who grow up in lower-income households to climb up the economic ladder. Meg Bates, director of the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, discusses her latest research.

The 2026 legislative session is about to get underway. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about what to expect in the weeks ahead. We also introduce the two Public Affairs Reporting program interns that will be working with CNI through the session, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert.

The CNI news team discusses some of the major stories of 2025 including Illinois' battles with the Trump administration, the retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin, candidates lining up for the 2026 elections, the Chicago area transit funding crisis and the possibility of energy shortages on the horizon.

In his new book, UIC history professor Kevin Schultz analyzes the history of the word "liberal" in American politics, how it's meaning has changed, and how despite its contributions to modern American society, liberalism generally has been attacked from both the right and the left.

State education officials are developing a "comprehensive numeracy plan" to improve student math skills. Peter Hancock talks with Illinois State University education professor Beth MacDonald about why Americans seem to have so much difficulty with math. Plus, CNI reporter Maggie Dougherty discusses Illinois' plans to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and new legislation giving Illinois health...

The Illinois Commerce Commission this week approved rate hikes for the state's two major natural gas utilities, but not as much as the companies had asked. And federal court cases surrounding the Trump administration's "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area are continuing, even though the operation itself is reportedly winding down. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Maggie Dougherty and Jerry N...

A partial shutdown of the federal government ended this week when a handful of Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, broke ranks with their caucus and agreed to pass a continuing budget resolution. And the Trump administration's stepped-up immigration enforcement push in the Chicago area appeared to be winding down, but several federal court cases stemming from that operation are still b...

Rep. Anna Moeller, who chairs the House budget committee that oversees health and human services funding, discusses the challenges presented to state policymakers by the recent partial shutdown of the federal government, the suspension of SNAP benefits and upcoming rule changes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The fall veto session turned out to be more eventful than many had expected as lawmakers passed legislation dealing with the Chicago mass transit "fiscal cliff," immigrant rights and energy policy. They also debated other issues that are likely to come up again in the 2026 regular session.

National Democrats have urged Illinois to join the congressional redist ricting frenzy to counter efforts in other states to gerrymander maps in favor of Republicans. But will Illinois go along? Meanwhile Gov. JB Pritzker has formed a commission to collect reports and monitor the activities of federal immigration agents operating in the Chicago area. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses those...

Illinois lawmakers returned to the Statehouse this week amid a partial shutdown of the federal government and continuing protests over President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Also, candidates filed their quarterly finance reports. And open enrollment for ACA marketplace insurance begins soon under Illinois' new state-based exchange. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Be...

Plenty of issues are on the table for Illinois lawmakers when they return to Springfield this week for the start of the annual fall veto session. Ben Szalinski speaks with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Senate President Don Harmon about what to expect.

The showdown between the state of Illinois and the Trump administration escalated this week as federal judges issued restraining orders blocking the administration from federalizing National Guard troops in Illinois and barring federal law enforcement officials from interfering with peaceful protests or the news coverage of them. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Jerry Nowicki, Ben Szalinski and Bren...

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the latest developments in the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, whether federal troops are on the way, and what, if anything the state an do about it.

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the news of the week, from Illinois' successful lawsuit to protect its federal funding, Darren Bailey's second governor campaign launch and Illinois' immigration information void.

Democratic values and institutions are coming under attack in the United States and around the world. In her new book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," University of Chicago political scientist Susan Stokes discusses why this is happening now and what citizens can do about it.

The list of potential Republican candidates for governor grew this week. Ted Dabrowski, who publishes the conservative newsletter Wirepoints, formally announced his candidacy. And the party's 2022 nominee, former state Sen. Darren Bailey, has made it known he plans to run again. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki talk about those developments. Also, the Illinois Supreme Court announced...

Tensions are high in Chicago where President Trump has threatened to send in federal troops to control crime and step up immigration enforcement. Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Jerry Nowicki discuss what is known about the situation and where it could lead. Plus, Molly Parker explains why some farmers in southern Illinois cannot access a federal program intended to help them take farm land in flo...

Peter Hancock hosts a discussion about a proposed state constitutional amendment in Illinois to reform the redistricting process. Former Clinton administration Commerce Secretary and Chief of Staff Bill Daley and former Republican congressman and Obama administration Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood advocate for an independent commission to draw state legislative district maps, aiming to reduce...

The CNI news team discusses major stories of the week, including the brief appearance of a recruiting billboard for the far-right group called the Proud Boys, Senate President Don Harmon appealing a $10 million fine for campaign finance violations, the expansion of protections for news organizations against SLAPP suits, and a new effort underway to put legislative mapmaking in the hands of an inde...

The Illinois State Fair marked the unofficial launch of the 2026 election cycle. Democrats and Republicans brought major names to the stage to help showcase their candidates and fire up their supporters. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinksi share their impressions of the events and discuss what it all signals about the campaigns ahead.

Democratic Texas lawmakers fled their statehouse in Austin this week, and many of them sheltered in Illinois as part of a tactic to delay voting on a Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan. The political drama is drawing national attention as both political parties in Illinois are gearing up for their big days at the Illinois State Fair. Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski analyze what has...