A partial shutdown of the federal government ended this week when a handful of Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, broke ranks with their caucus and agreed to pass a continuing budget resolution. And the Trump administration's stepped-up immigration enforcement push in the Chicago area appeared to be winding down, but several federal court cases stemming from that operation are still being litigated. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Hannah Meisel discuss the week's events.

Rep. Anna Moeller, who chairs the House budget committee that oversees health and human services funding, discusses the challenges presented to state policymakers by the recent partial shutdown of the federal government, the suspension of SNAP benefits and upcoming rule changes for Medicaid beneficiaries.

The fall veto session turned out to be more eventful than many had expected as lawmakers passed legislation dealing with the Chicago mass transit "fiscal cliff," immigrant rights and energy policy. They also debated other issues that are likely to come up again in the 2026 regular session.

National Democrats have urged Illinois to join the congressional redist ricting frenzy to counter efforts in other states to gerrymander maps in favor of Republicans. But will Illinois go along? Meanwhile Gov. JB Pritzker has formed a commission to collect reports and monitor the activities of federal immigration agents operating in the Chicago area. The Capitol News Illinois team discusses those stories and looks ahead to events coming up next week.

Illinois lawmakers returned to the Statehouse this week amid a partial shutdown of the federal government and continuing protests over President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. Also, candidates filed their quarterly finance reports. And open enrollment for ACA marketplace insurance begins soon under Illinois' new state-based exchange. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski discuss the week's news.

Plenty of issues are on the table for Illinois lawmakers when they return to Springfield this week for the start of the annual fall veto session. Ben Szalinski speaks with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch and Senate President Don Harmon about what to expect.

The showdown between the state of Illinois and the Trump administration escalated this week as federal judges issued restraining orders blocking the administration from federalizing National Guard troops in Illinois and barring federal law enforcement officials from interfering with peaceful protests or the news coverage of them. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Jerry Nowicki, Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about the week's events.

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the latest developments in the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, whether federal troops are on the way, and what, if anything the state an do about it.

Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski discuss the news of the week, from Illinois' successful lawsuit to protect its federal funding, Darren Bailey's second governor campaign launch and Illinois' immigration information void.

Democratic values and institutions are coming under attack in the United States and around the world. In her new book, "The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies," University of Chicago political scientist Susan Stokes discusses why this is happening now and what citizens can do about it.