Capitol Cast: Illinois

Wayne Pitard, author of the book "Watchman, Tell Us: John J. Bird and Black Politics in Post-Civil War Illinois," discusses the life and legacy of one of the state's early civil rights leaders.

A tough week for House speakers as 103rd General Assembly comes to an end.

Peter Hancock talks to the reporters Ben Szalinski and Andrew Adams about the lame duck session, and with Public Affairs Reporting interns Jade Aubrey and Bridgette Fox about the 104th General Assembly's inauguration.

Illinois lawmakers are returning for a short lame duck session starting Saturday and a new legislative session begins Wednesday. Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock, Andrew Adams and Ben Szalinski discuss some of the issues that could be addressed.

CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.

The state of Illinois will start the new year facing a projected $3.2 billion budget shortfall while demands continue to grow for funding of education and pensions. There are also growing concerns about the adequacy of the state's power grid as Illinois continues its push for a carbon-free energy system.

CNI Editor-in-Chief Jerry Nowicki reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Illinois officials are bracing for the possibility of mass deportations when the new Trump administration takes office. Chicago will become home to a new quantum computing center. And a new state flag may be in the works for Illinois. The CNI team discusses the news.

The Illinois State Board of Elections has certified the final results of the 2024 election. And the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues in Chicago following testimony this week from former city Alderman Danny Solis. Peter Hancock discusses those stories with CNI reporters Andrew Adams, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

Illinois Democrats are adapting to two new realities: A looming $3.2 billion budget deficit and a second term for Donald Trump. The Capitol News Illinois Statehouse team breaks it down - and introduces our latest hire.

The latest Illinois School Report Card shows proficiency rates in English Language Arts reached an all-time high last year, but math scores have been slow to recover since the pandemic. In this episode of Capitol Cast, CNI's Peter Hancock interviews State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders about plans to develop a comprehensive strategy to boost state math scores.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports news from around Illinois.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Reporter Andrew Adams about his analysis of campaign spending reports in Illinois.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the week's news from around Illinois.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller examines Illinois' 17th Congressional District race. Two former members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, Cheri Bustos and Ray LaHood, were guests of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller has the week's news from around Illinois.

An interview with Steve Pink, director of a new documentary film "The Last Republican," that focuses on former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who famously broke with Donald Trump and the Republican Party over the results of the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller has the week's news from around Illinois.

Capitol News Illinois' Peter Hancock talks to reporters Andrew Adams and Hannah Meisel about two of our top stories this week: A look at 2024 ballot questions and jury selection in the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller talks with Reporter Hannah Meisel about the upcoming corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Jury selection in the case begins October 8th.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller reports the news from around Illinois.

CNI's Peter Hancock talks with Illinois State Board of Elections Spokesman Matt Dietrich about early voting, and CNI Data Reporter Andrew Adams about our new Election Guide at capitolnewsillinois.com.

CNI Broadcast Director Jennifer Fuller recaps the week's news from around Illinois.