Capitol Cast: Illinois

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads in Illinois, the legislative session has been put on pause, along with many other ordinary things in life. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki discuss how this could impact the rest of the session.

While Republicans complain Democratic leaders aren't moving forward on property taxes, Rep. Michael Zalewski, who chairs the House Revenue and Finance Committee, talks about how difficult the issue is to resolve.

Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot explain the state's response plan for the spreading coronavirus outbreak, dubbed COVID-19. Plus, the Capitol News Illinois team talks about some of the big Statehouse news of the past week.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is freed from prison during the same week a new study is released showing Chicago the most corrupt city in America, and Illinois the third-most corrupt state. University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor Dick Simpson discusses his research and the history behind the state's corrupt politics.

Gov. JB Pritzker will deliver his second budget address on Wednesday, Feb. 19. But lawmakers are also focusing on their own legislative agendas, including proposals to let college student athletes sign endorsement deals, and a proposed constitutional amendment to overhaul the state's redistricting process ahead of the 2020 census.

The Iowa caucus debacle has some people thinking it should be Illinois' turn to host the first presidential primary; Secretary of State Jesse White Answers lawmakers about errors in the state's automatic voter registration system; and a former legislative inspector general says reports of lawmaker wrongdoing are getting swept under the rug. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel discusss.

Gov. JB Pritzker gave an upbeat State of the State address, but a dark ethical cloud still hangs over the Illinois General Assembly. Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki analyze the week's news.

The Illinois Senate has a new president and the 2020 legislative session is about to get underway. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel talk about what's ahead.

In an interview, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker reflects on his first year in office and his priorities for 2020. Discussion and analysis with Peter Hancock and Jerry Nowicki.

Newly-elected Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker dominated Statehouse news in Illinois during 2019, but federal corruption probes involving several sitting lawmakers also caused a distraction. Analysis from some of the leading players in the General Assembly and discussion with reporters Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Rebecca Anzel.