Capitol Cast: Illinois

Governor JB Pritzker sits down with Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore to discuss his decision to run for a third term, what he hopes to accomplish if reelected, and more.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey sits down with Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore to discuss his plans for the office, why he thinks he can separate his personal beliefs from how he will govern, and what he’s doing differently in 2026.

Bryan Drew, the Republican candidate for comptroller, talks with Brenden Moore about his vision for the office, using artificial intelligence, and much more.

Margaret Croke, the Democratic candidate for comptroller, talks with Ben Szalinski about her experience in state government, some of the office’s unique responsibilities and much more.

Independent candidate for governor Collin Corbett discusses his campaign with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore. The interview is part of a series of election interviews focusing on statewide races for elected office.

Illinois Democrats and Republicans honed their messages for the upcoming midterm elections during their traditional rallies at the Illinois State Fair. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses what they heard during the festivities and what those messages say about the campaigns ahead.

The Illinois State Fair got underway this week, marking the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 general election campaign. The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down what to expect during political events that coincide with the fair. Plus, an update on CNI's pursuit of public records from the Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois' response to the Trump administration's change in vaccination recommendations, and the latest discussions regarding keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

CNI Reporter Ben Szalinski talks one-on-one with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch about criticism he has received over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former Rep. Harry Benton.

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch vows to push for additional school funding during the fall veto session as Chicago Public Schools prepares for layoffs. Welch is also coming under pressure over his handling of the Harry Benton sexual harassment scandal as Rep. Fred Crespo calls for him to step down. Plus, Gov. JB Pritzker signs a statewide cellphone ban for public schools and the State Board of Elections responds to threats of prosecution from the Trump administration. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski discuss the week's news.

GOP calls for transparency; Noncitizen voting explained by Capitol News Illinois

Races at the top of the Illinois ballot this year do not appear competitive, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki discuss that and other top stories of the week.

One Democratic member of the House has been forced to resign and another has come under federal indictment. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court upholds Illinois' assault weapon ban; the Trump administration threatens to prosecute state election officials; and a CNI analysis shows inequities remain in Illinois' school finance system. Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel, Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki discuss the week's major stories.

July 1 marked the start of a new fiscal year, and the full launch of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Teresa Ramos, secretary of the new agency, talks about the work leading up to the launch and how the new agency will serve Illinois families.

Maggie Daugherty discusses a story she cowrote with the Illinois Answers Project that explores the impact that legalized gambling has on people who suffer from gambling addiction. Brenden Moore discusses new consumer protection laws aimed at controlling junk fees and ticket scalping. And Ben Szalinski gives an update on other new laws taking effect at the start of the new state fiscal year on July 1.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the $55.9 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year, along with a revenue package to help pay for it. Meanwhile, lawmakers failed to take action regulating data centers in Illinois, but controversy over those developments is now going away. And a federal lawsuit seeks to block the state's Medical Aid in Dying law from going into effect in September. Ben Szalinski, Jerry Nowicki, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert discuss those stories with host Peter Hancock.

The spring 2026 legislative session with lawmakers agreeing to deals on a budget and revenue package, but not a deal for the Chicago Bears. Peter Hancock Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki analyze the highlights of the final few days.

Longtime U.S. Senator delivered a farewell speech to a joint session of the General Assembly, echoing Abraham Lincoln's warning about "a house divided." Meanwhile, Lawmakers continued working on a budget and a handful of other policy issues as the 2026 legislative session draws to a close. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's developments.

A federal judge slammed the U.S. Attorney's office this week for its handling of prosecutions against the "Broadview Six" defendants. And lawmakers work to put together a budget package as the 2026 legislative session winds to a close.

Jerry Nowicki, Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert discuss the week's news, from data center and AI regulation to the budget and the Chicago Bears.

Budget negotiations have begun to take shape but there are serious divisions within the General Assembly over whether the state needs to control spending or raise additional revenue. Plus, a watchdog commission appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to review Operation Midway Blitz has referred some federal immigration agents for possible prosecution.

A proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting was abruptly put on hold this week after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a major voting rights decision. The fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer put Illinois' SAFE-T Act back in the spotlight. And discussions continue on a legislative plan aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore discuss the legislative news of the week.

The House had a busy week while the Senate was away, moving a constitutional amendment and a megaprojects bill aimed at keeping the Bears. But will the other chamber be on board? Ben Szalinski, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki discuss the week’s news.

Illinois lawmakers passed the midpoint of the session this week, the self-imposed deadline for each chamber to send its non-budget, non-tax related bills to the other chamber. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore discus where lawmakers are with some of the more high-profile issues.

A mountain of bills passed through the Illinois House this week including legislation addressing junk fees, immigrant detention centers and grocery coupon fraud. Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker was in New York talking to Rev. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network. Peter Hancock talks with reporters Ben Szalinski, Jenna Schweikert and Brenden Moore.

A report by the Cook County treasurer's office set off a statewide debate this week about who's to blame for Illinois' high property tax rate and what, if anything, state lawmakers can do to provide some relief. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski discuss what options are on the table.

Dozens of bills advanced in the Illinois House this week as lawmakers worked to meet a deadline for most nonbudget legislation to pass out of committees. Peter Hancock talks with Brenden Moore, Ben Szalinski and Jenna Schweikert about some of the most significant bills that moved forward.

Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski analyze the results of the March 17 primary elections in Illinois.

Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski to analyze the Illinois primaries for U.S. Senate, governor and comptroller. Those and other races will be decided in the March 17 primary elections.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks with CNI reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski on a wide range of topics, from the state of the Illinois economy to his legislative agenda and the future of the Chicago Bears.

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new proposal aimed at keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois. Organizations are now lining up to secure funding in the FY 2027 budget as the legislative session gets into full swing. And University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen discusses higher education funding and what U of I hopes lawmakers will tackle this session.

State of the State '26 by Capitol News Illinois

DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick discusses his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor with CNI reporters Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski.

Illinois businessman Rick Heidner, a Republican candidate for governor, discusses his campaign with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore. The interview is part of CNI's Election '26 podcast series focusing on major party candidates for statewide office in the Marchf 17 primaries.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey speaks with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about his campaign. Bailey is a farmer from Xenia and a former state senator who was also the GOP nominee for governor in 2022.

Ted Dabrowski, a former researcher for the online news outlet Wirepoints, is seeking the Republican nomination for governor. He speaks with Capitol News Illinois reporters Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski as part of CNI's Election '26 podcast series.

As a part of a series of interviews focusing on contested races for major-party nominations in the March 17 primary elections, Capitol News Illinois reporters Peter Hancock and Brenden Moore talk with state Representative Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) about her campaign for Illinois Comptroller.

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.