Capitol Cast: Illinois

Rep. LaToya Greenwood, D-East St. Louis, discusses the issue of racial inequities in the Metro East area and the mood of that community in the wake of protests that have erupted in Illinois following the killing of George Floyd. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As part of our ongoing project, "Perspectives on Progress," Illinois state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, shares his thoughts on the May 25 killing of George Floyd, how he thinks Illinois should move forward amid the protests, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its financial impacts, and what role the media plays in shaping the conversation. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As part of our ongoing project, Perspectives on Progress, Illinois state Sen. Kimberly Lightford talks about her source of hope and how she does not want Illinois to miss its chance to address systemic racism. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Rep. Maurice West, D-Rockford, talks about how Illinois can move forward in the wake of protests and demonstrations over the death of George Floyd. His key message: Listen to the voices of the unheard. Music credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As part of our ongoing project, Perspectives on Progress, state Rep. Marcus Evans reflects on his experiences with police and how he would like to see the conversation around policing in the U.S. and Illinois focus on “bad individuals” using police powers wrongly, rather than a condemnation of policing in general. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As part of our ongoing project, Perspectives on Progress, Illinois state Rep. Curtis Tarver talks about what he is seeing as daily demonstrations in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, continue, as well as what changes he thinks must occur. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

As part of our ongoing project, Perspectives on Progress, state Rep. Chris Welch talks about his reaction to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, as well as his perspectives about the nationwide protests that event sparked and where he thinks the state of Illinois should go from here. Music Credit: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Capitol News Illinois launched its new "Perspectives on Progress" podcast series Monday, June 8 in an effort to broadcast conversations about race in America and Illinois. To begin the series, the Statehouse news bureau reached out to the 31 members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus to hear their perspectives and share their experiences with racism and their thoughts on what actions, legislatively or otherwise, are needed to move forward. Our first guest is Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago. MUSIC CREDIT: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspired License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A week after the Illinois General Assembly wrapped up a historic special session, the state has entered Phase 3 of the reopening plan. Reporters Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki, Rebecca Anzel and Ben Orner analyze the status of the pandemic and how the General Assembly responded to it.

Four interns with the University of Illinois Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting program talk about their experience covering the Illinois Statehouse during a pandemic. Guests are Kade Heather, Tim Eggert, Neil Earley and Ben Orner.