Capitol Cast: Illinois

Capitol News Illinois' Beth Hundsdorfer and Molly Parker of Lee Enterprises Midwest discuss their reporting on Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center and the impending changes at the facility with CNI Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki.

Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, talks with Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki about the budget proposal that Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled during his State of the State address Wednesday, Feb. 15

A look at the state budgeting process and what to expect when Gov. JB Pritzker gives his fifth state budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The Capitol News Illinois team welcomes new full-time reporter Hannah Meisel and Public Affairs Reporting intern Nika Schoonover. The reporters all also discuss what they are working on at the beginning of a new legislative session.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis speaks to Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about the new historic makeup of the high court, the court's living quarters and other issues facing the institution.

Republican legislators in the General Assembly have chosen new leadership in both the House and Senate. Sen. John Curran and Rep. Tony McCombie each met members of the media after their wins. Listen to their interviews on the latest edition of Capitol Cast. Peter Hancock's coverage of McCombie's interview is here: https://www.capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/mccombie-to-take-reins-of-house-gop-caucus...

An interview with Dr. David Olson of the Loyola University of Chicago Center for Criminal Justice regarding the impending end of cash bail in Illinois. The Center's research can be found here: https://loyolaccj.org/pfa.

With millions of dollars flowing into Illinois judicial elections, Douglas Keith of the Brennan Center for Justice discusses the impact of money in judicial politics and other options for judicial selection.

Judge Elizabeth "Liz" Rochford speaks with Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock about the race for Supreme Court in the state's 2nd District. The interview was conducted Sept. 15. Her opponent is Mark Curran, a former Lake County Sheriff. An interview with Curran can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/supreme-court-2nd-district-an-interview-with-mark-c...

Former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran speaks with Capitol News Illinois' Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock about the race for Supreme Court in the state's 2nd District. The interview was conducted Sept. 30. His opponent is Elizabeth "Liz" Rochford, a 19th Judicial Circuit judge. An interview with Rochford can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/supreme-court-2nd-district-...

Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Republican challenger Thomas DeVore face off in a forum hosted by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors.

Capitol News Illinois continues our candidate interviews with Appellate Court Justice Mary Kay O'Brien, who is running for a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.

Capitol News Illinois interviews Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Burke, a Republican who is seeking a full 10-year term on the bench.

A discussion of a constitutional amendment that will come before voters in the November general election.

An interview with Democratic secretary of state candidate and state Rep. Dan Brady. The interview with his challenger, Democrat Alexi GIannoulias, is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/secretary-of-states-race-an-interview-with-alexi-giannoulias

An interview with Democratic secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias. The interview with his challenger, state Rep. Dan Brady, is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/secretary-of-states-race-an-interview-with-dan-brady

Comptroller Susana Mendoza speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki and reporter Peter Hancock about her record in office and what she would plan to do with another term. An accompanying interview with candidate Shannon Teresi can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/comptrollers-race-an-interview-with-shannon-teresi/s-jrVQ9cZqyOH?si=fd8890f0b4c84cceb1b2...

McHenry County Auditor Shannon Teresi speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki and reporter Peter Hancock about her plans for the office of comptroller should voters elect her. An accompanying interview with Comptroller Susana Mendoza can be found here. https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/comptrollers-race-an-interview-with-susana-mendoza/s-jbgB6YHwY6D?si=fd8890f0b4c8...

A joint interview with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Sen. Darren Bailey, candidates for Illinois governor, conducted by the Illinois Associated Press Media Association Editors.

State Rep. Tom Demmer, the Republican candidate for state treasurer, speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about what he would do with the office if elected by voters on Nov. 8. Nowicki's interview with Treasurer Michael Frerichs is here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/treasurers-race-an-interview-with-michael-frerichs/s-jIpCmDULysk?si=268ce78872574f51981312c7...

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs speaks to Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki about what he's done in his two terms as treasurer and what his plans are for a third. He'll face Republican Rep. Tom Demmer in the Nov. 8 general election. Nowicki's interview with Frerichs' challenger, Tom Demmer, is available here: https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/treasurers-race-...

The 2022 general election campaign season got into full swing with political events at the Illinois State Fair and the first gubernatorial candidate forum. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss the major themes and issues to watch.

Gov. JB Pritzker sits down for a one-on-one interview, and Capitol News Illinois Bureau Chief Jerry Nowicki takes a look at the election-night speeches of Pritzker and his GOP challenger Darren Bailey.

Secretary of state candidate Alexi Giannoulias talks to Capitol News Illinois about his plans to modernize the secretary of state's office should voters elect him to it. He also talks about his union support and time as Illinois Treasurer and in the private banking field. Further coverage of the race from the Chicago Tribune is below. Democratic race for secretary of state has one candidate trying...

Secretary of state candidate Anna Valencia talks to Capitol News Illinois about her plans for the office should voters give her the Democratic nomination. She has plans for an Illinois Civic Corps, modernizing the office and tightening ethics laws. She touches on the contentious nature of a race in which her husband's lobbying career has been in the spotlight. Further coverage of the race from the...