The Illinoize Podcast

Patrick Pfingsten looks ahead to the final stretch of the spring legislative session with Republican and Democratic views in the House of Representatives. Patrick is joined by Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) to discuss property taxes, the Bears stadium, local government funding, gas taxes, and more. Learn more:  www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter:  https:/...

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois to break down the races for U.S. Senate, Governor, congress, and more the day before the March 17 primary. 

Patrick Pfingsten breaks down the 9th Congressional District Democratic primary with Matthew Eadie of Evanston Now and the 7th and 8th District Democratic primaries with Mitchell Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times. We also sit down with State Comptroller Susana Mendoza on the election to replace her and the "ham handed" actions of Governor JB Pritzker to influence what she says should be an "inde...

Patrick Pfingsten sits down with GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski. We also discuss outside spending on elections, the status of major races, and the property tax situation with the Chicago Bears with former Rep. Mark Batinick. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X:  https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like...

Patrick Pfingsten sits down with 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who is the frontrunner in the 2026 GOP primary for Governor. We also discuss the latest in the Bears stadium mess with Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois.  Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize  L...

The Illinoize Podcast is back and looking ahead to what may happen at the Statehouse this year.  We're joined by Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) as Republicans try to make an impact in the superminority. We're also joined by longtime Madigan spokesman Steve Brown to talk about his time with the imprisoned former Speaker, what he knew and when he knew it.  Learn more: www.theillinoi...

The Illinoize Podcast returns in 2026 previewing what to expect at the Statehouse this spring. We're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) and Brenden Moore of Capitol News Illinois. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theillinoiz...

Patrick Pfingsten sits down with House Speaker Chris Welch after a tumultous fall veto session. 

As House Speaker Chris Welch has appointed a Democrat-only working group to address the looming funding crisis for Chicago area mass transit systems, one of the co-chairs of the group, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the funding hole, reform, if it will result in a tax increase, and why Republicans weren't allowed at the table. We're also joined by Ray Long of...

After Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President Monday morning, speculation about Pritzker for Vice President immediately kicked in. We discuss Pritzker's chances, the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and more with Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson and Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas.

Illinois Republicans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention are optimistic about their chances to retake the Oval Office, but tensions still persist inside the Illinois Republican Party. We're joined by outgoing Republican National Committeeman for Illinois, Richard Porter, and WGN-TV Political Reporter Tahman Bradley.

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) joins The Illinoize to discuss former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions, the Gotion battery plant deal, GOP views of IVF and abortion, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel. We're also joined by former State Representative and pollster Mark Batinick about polling showing broad opposition to public funding for a new Bears stadium and numbers trending for...

We're joined by Comptroller Susana Mendoza who offers her thoughts on the new state budget and her comments about budget cuts that brought swift condemnation from Governor JB Pritzker and his top staff. We also discuss budget drama with Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.

With a week remaining before lawmakers are scheduled to pass a budget and leave Springfield, tensions remain high between Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers over $800 million in tax increases. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discusses where things stand and if Democrats can adjourn on time. We'll also preview the final week of session with Ben Szalinski, a legislative reporter for The Dail...

As the spring legislative session heats up and winds down all at the same time, we check in with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) on budget talks, the Bears, and a bill ending slating of legislative candidates. We also talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's fruitless trip to Springfield with Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the failures of the Prisoner Review Board that led to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We're joined by Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to discuss how to fix the board. Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt also joins us to discuss his new book on former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot " The City is Up for Grabs. "

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises, Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune, and Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald to preview top congressional and legislative primaries around the state this Tuesday. 

We're joined by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) on the Trump impact on Republican candidates, property taxes, and the state's migrant crisis. We're also joined by Dean Olsen of the Illinois Times, who has been covering the pending corruption trial of former Sen. Sam McCann. Subscribe on  YouTube  or on your favorite podcast app like on  Apple ,  Spotify , or  Amazon .

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who has been appointed to chair a House Democrat working group on the migrant crisis. We also discuss the city of Chicago response with longtime Chicago columnist Eric Zorn. 

We visit with Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Alex Degman, Statehouse Reporter for WBEZ. You can also subscribe on  Apple ,  Google ,  Spotify , or  Amazon .

Patrick Pfingsten of theillinoize.com sits down with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to discuss crime, corruption, the criminal trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and more. 

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the migrant crisis mess in Chicago. We dig into the tense relationship between Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson with Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune. Then, we're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) for a conversation on migrants, Soldier Field, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) challenges for college athletes. 

On this week's podcast, we talk to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) about funding for migrants, the Invest in Kids program, Ameren's power grid, and if House Republican can compete in 2024. We're also joined by  Brenden Moore  of Lee Enterprises.

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the looming shutdown of the federal government. 

We break down the perjury and obstruction of justice conviction of Tim Mapes, the longtime Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. We're also joined by former Congressman, SIU President, and 1998 Democratic nominee for Governor Glenn Poshard, the author of the new book "Son of Southern Illinois."