Governor Pritzker calls for new gun control legislation in the wake of mass shootings in Colorado and Georgia. Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) proposes expanded background checks and fingerprint requirements for FOID card holders. Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) opposes the fingerprint requirement and questions if the Pritzker administration is purposefully dragging its feet on processing FOID renewals.

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Governor J.B. Pritzker sits down one-on-one to reflect on a year in a pandemic. Representative Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest) weighs in on the push for education funding now that Illinois gets a $7.5 billion lifeline from the 'American Rescue Plan.' Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield) discusses the push for Fair Maps now that the once-in-a-decade redistricting process is underway. 

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

How will President Joe Biden's 'American Rescue Plan' impact Illinois' state budget? The Senate returns for session in-person in Springfield. State Senator Sally Turner (R-Springfield) discusses election security. Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) explains how the Legislative Black Caucus education reform measure aims to root out systemic racism in the classroom.

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL 2nd District) takes over the reins of the Illinois Democratic Party. Former Chairman Michael Madigan exits after 23 years in the post. Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL 13th District) discusses the new legislation in Congress that would reform elections and campaign finances. 

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Illinois becomes the first state in the nation to end cash bail; Republican state senator Darren Bailey jumps into the primary race for governor; former House Speaker Michael Madigan pressures his successor to resign after two days on the job; State senator John Curran calls cash bail inequitable, but points out areas where he'd like to strengthen the courts role in determining pre-trial detention; Representative Marcus Evans suggests banning violent video games could help reduce carjackings.

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Illinois could become the first state in the nation to end the practice of cash bail. Republicans push back, urging Governor Pritzker to veto the 764-page bill the House and Senate passed to his desk during the 'Lame Duck' session. Former state's attorney and Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Harrisburg) analyzes how the proposal would impact prosecutors and police, and Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) explains why the Black Caucus proposed these changes to the laws that govern law enforcement and impact the criminal justice system. 

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Illinois' rocky rollout of the Coronavirus vaccine prioritized state lawmakers ahead of patients with underlying conditions; Republican Congressman Rodney Davis (IL-13th District) responds to the internal fights in the GOP after President Trump's 2020 election loss; Illinois State Board of Education's Superintendent Dr. Carmen Ayala defends the Culturally Responsive Teaching Methods after conservatives criticize the new teacher training standards as "political indoctrination."

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) adopts new rules to govern the chamber and sets term limits on the House Speaker and Minority Leader; Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) makes her case for the Clean Energy Jobs Act; Rep. Michael Marron (R-Fithian) reacts to the new House rules and explains what the election of new chairman of the Illinois Republican Party Don Tracy means for the direction of the party. 

Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan retires from the Illinois General Assembly; former state Senator Paul Schimpf runs for Governor in the Republican primary; state Senator Michael Hastings eyes the Secretary of State job; and new state Senator Doris Turner takes her seat in the state legislature. Capitol Connection host Mark Maxwell interviews newsmakers about current events in Illinois politics.