Capitol Cast: Illinois

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 Jerry Nowicki's Curran interview is here: https://capitolnewsillinois.com/NEWS/ArtMID/718/ArticleID/2482/preview/true

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-curran/s-XutPvD61LLL?si=2955636a94cd472dab13cd295bb77481&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

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-an-interview-with-elizabeth-rochford

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