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.