Capitol Cast: Illinois

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.