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.