Capitol Cast: Illinois

May 19 will mark the 150th anniversary of Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of the slain president, being declared legally insane and committed to an asylum outside Chicago. Historian Jason Emerson discusses his new book, "The Dark Days of Abraham Lincoln's Widow, As Revealed by Her Own Letters," published by Southern Illinois University Press.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visit to Springfield this week put a spotlight on the Trump administration's immigration policy while also sparking protests from immigrant rights advocates. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jade Aubrey discuss the event and what may be at stake for Illinois' own policies regarding immigrants.

One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton by Capitol News Illinois

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois announced this week he will not seek reelection in 2026, setting off a chain reaction among politicians who now see an opportunity to move up the ladder. The first major candidate to announce so far is Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton who, on Friday, received the endorsement of Gov. JB Pritzker.

CNI's Peter Hancock and Ben Salinski look back on Durbin's career in Congress and discuss the wide field of potential candidates to take his seat.

Peter Hancock talks with author Patrick Wohl about his book, "Down Ballot: Howa Local Campaign Became a National Referendum on Abortion." The book chronicles the 1990 Republican primary in Illinois' 55th House District between Penny Pullen and Rosemary Mulligan.

Illinois lawmakers passed the midpoint of the 2025 session this week, the deadline for most nonbudget bills to pass out of one chamber or the other. Meanwhile, dozens of international students on college campuses learned their student visas were being revoked. Peter Hancock talks with CNI's Molly Parker about the crackdown on international students. And Ben Szalinski talks about major legislation that did, or didn't, make it across the deadline.

Trade mission to Mexico by Capitol News Illinois

As lawmakers near the midpoint of the 2025 session, no legislation has passed either chamber as lawmakers appear stymied by the steady barrage of events coming out of the White House that have a direct bearing on Illinois. Peter Hancock and Ben Szalinski analyze the past week's events.

It used to be said that all politics is local. But today, state parties and partisan-backed organizations are getting more involved in local, and ostensibly nonpartisan, elections. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporter Ben Szalinski and political scientist John Jackson of SIU Carbondale about this trend.

Four entities that make up the Chicago metro area's mass transit system face a combined $770 million budget shortfall. That means Chicago's transportation problems are now a front-and-center issue for state lawmakers from all parts of Illinois. Peter Hancock talks with CNI reporter Ben Szalinski about what's at stake, how we got here, and some of the proposed solutions.