Capitol Cast: Illinois

The 2026 legislative session is about to get underway. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporters Ben Szalinski and Brenden Moore about what to expect in the weeks ahead. We also introduce the two Public Affairs Reporting program interns that will be working with CNI through the session, Nikoel Hytrek and Jenna Schweikert.

The CNI news team discusses some of the major stories of 2025 including Illinois' battles with the Trump administration, the retirement of Sen. Dick Durbin, candidates lining up for the 2026 elections, the Chicago area transit funding crisis and the possibility of energy shortages on the horizon.

In his new book, UIC history professor Kevin Schultz analyzes the history of the word "liberal" in American politics, how it's meaning has changed, and how despite its contributions to modern American society, liberalism generally has been attacked from both the right and the left.

State education officials are developing a "comprehensive numeracy plan" to improve student math skills. Peter Hancock talks with Illinois State University education professor Beth MacDonald about why Americans seem to have so much difficulty with math. Plus, CNI reporter Maggie Dougherty discusses Illinois' plans to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and new legislation giving Illinois health officials more autonomy in directing vaccine policy.

The Illinois Commerce Commission this week approved rate hikes for the state's two major natural gas utilities, but not as much as the companies had asked. And federal court cases surrounding the Trump administration's "Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area are continuing, even though the operation itself is reportedly winding down. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Maggie Dougherty and Jerry Nowicki about the week's news.

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.