Connected To Chicago - 01-03-15 - This week's newsmaker is the Republican Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, Jim Durkin. He explains what we can expect this coming year in Illinois with a divided government for the first time in 12 years. What can we expect from Bruce Rauner? With the start of the New Year we saw a 25% tax cut, how long will it last? Several state budget issues are addressed including the state Medicaid policy, the Department of Children and Family Services, and body cameras on police officers. In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune discuss what they expect from Rauner, the fate of the Obama Presidential Library, and the idea of "mediocrity" in the government. Then Jennifer Keiper is joined by Travis Akin of the Illinois Lawsuit Reform Alliance. The group has released it's 2014-2015 "Judicial Hellhole" report. They talk about what judicial hellholes are, why Madison County, Illinois is on the list, why Cook County has also seen these cases, what reform is needed to cut down on these cases, and how surrounding states - like Indiana and Wisconsin - have made lawsuit reform part of their economic development plans in order to stimulate job growth.

Connected To Chicago - 01-03-15 - This week's newsmaker is the Republican Leader of the Illinois House of Representatives, Jim Durkin. He explains what we can expect this coming year in Illinois with a divided government for the first time in 12 years. What can we expect from Bruce Rauner? With the start of the New Year we saw a 25% tax cut, how long will it last? Several state budget issues are addressed including the state Medicaid policy, the Department of Children and Family Services, and body cameras on police officers. In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron along with Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times, and Ray Long of the Tribune discuss what they expect from Rauner, the fate of the Obama Presidential Library, and the idea of "mediocrity" in the government. Then Jennifer Keiper is joined by Travis Akin of the Illinois Lawsuit Reform Alliance. The group has released it's 2014-2015 "Judicial Hellhole" report. They talk about what judicial hellholes are, why Madison County, Illinois is on the list, why Cook County has also seen these cases, what reform is needed to cut down on these cases, and how surrounding states - like Indiana and Wisconsin - have made lawsuit reform part of their economic development plans in order to stimulate job growth.

Connected To Chicago - 12-27-14 - This week's newsmaker is Amara C. Enyia. She is one of the people calling Mayor Rahm Emanuel "Mayor 1%" Host Bill Cameron discusses the issues she feels the mayoral candidates need to address including the state of the working poor in Chicago. Then the "Topinka Rules" Her Chief of Staff, Nancy Kimme takes us inside the life of the late Comptroller. In the roundtable the show is joined by Hal Dardick of The Chicago Tribune and Natasha Korecki of the Sun-Times. They discuss what to expect in Springfield with Bruce Rauner, the replacement of Judy Baar Topinka, the future state income tax rate, and the mayoral race. Then John Dempsey with the controversy regarding allegations that the Jackie Robinson West Little League All Stars broke the rules concerning the team's boundaries.

Connected To Chicago - 12-27-14 - This week's newsmaker is Amara C. Enyia. She is one of the people calling Mayor Rahm Emanuel "Mayor 1%" Host Bill Cameron discusses the issues she feels the mayoral candidates need to address including the state of the working poor in Chicago. Then the "Topinka Rules" Her Chief of Staff, Nancy Kimme takes us inside the life of the late Comptroller. In the roundtable the show is joined by Hal Dardick of The Chicago Tribune and Natasha Korecki of the Sun-Times. They discuss what to expect in Springfield with Bruce Rauner, the replacement of Judy Baar Topinka, the future state income tax rate, and the mayoral race. Then John Dempsey with the controversy regarding allegations that the Jackie Robinson West Little League All Stars broke the rules concerning the team's boundaries.

Connected To Chicago - 12-20-14 - On this day in 1976, former mayor Richard J. Daley died at his doctor's office. Host Bill Cameron narrates highlights of his career covering the mayor and gives insight of the impression he made on the city. In the roundtable the show is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and sports analyst Cheryl Raye-Stout. Topics discussed include the appointment of a new state comptroller and the political ramifications surrounding it, and the latest in Chicago sports happenings, both the bad and the good. Finally Jennifer Keiper is joined by Dr. Jay Goldstein with NorthShore University HealthSystem talking about a condition called gastro-esophageal reflux disease or "gerd."

Connected To Chicago - 12-20-14 - On this day in 1976, former mayor Richard J. Daley died at his doctor's office. Host Bill Cameron narrates highlights of his career covering the mayor and gives insight of the impression he made on the city. In the roundtable the show is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and sports analyst Cheryl Raye-Stout. Topics discussed include the appointment of a new state comptroller and the political ramifications surrounding it, and the latest in Chicago sports happenings, both the bad and the good. Finally Jennifer Keiper is joined by Dr. Jay Goldstein with NorthShore University HealthSystem talking about a condition called gastro-esophageal reflux disease or "gerd."

Connected To Chicago - 12-13-14 - This week we remember Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Host Bill Cameron is joined by Electron Board Chairman Langdon Neal. They discuss the new elections law including its policy on same day registration and early voting, and automatic registration information updates when a voter moves. They also address the voter turnout of the last election, the youth involvement in elections, and the future of electronic voting. In the roundtable the show is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Hal Dardick and Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune. They share their memories of Judy Baar Topinka and ask the question of who will replace her? Also is mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia ready for rime time? Then Nick Gale looks at the political career of Topinka and some of the tributes by other politicians.

Connected To Chicago - 12-13-14 - This week we remember Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka. Host Bill Cameron is joined by Electron Board Chairman Langdon Neal. They discuss the new elections law including its policy on same day registration and early voting, and automatic registration information updates when a voter moves. They also address the voter turnout of the last election, the youth involvement in elections, and the future of electronic voting. In the roundtable the show is joined by Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business, and Hal Dardick and Ray Long of The Chicago Tribune. They share their memories of Judy Baar Topinka and ask the question of who will replace her? Also is mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia ready for rime time? Then Nick Gale looks at the political career of Topinka and some of the tributes by other politicians.

Connected To Chicago - 12-06-14 - This week's newsmaker is the Illinois State Senator from Palatine, Matt Murphy. He and host Bill Cameron discuss the passing of the 70 mile per hour speed limit being brought to the Chicago area toll ways. They also cover the minimum wage increase, the eavesdropping bill tied to body cameras on police officers and the growing concern of watching the police. What is the fate of the 5% state income tax rate next year? What's his opinion on early voting and the same day voting registration? And bobcat hunting, why is it necessary? In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron is joined by Fran Spielman of the Sun-Times from the city hall press room, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune from Springfield. Then, with the holidays here, Jennifer Keiper covers consumer confidence, what economists expect from us this holiday shopping season, what Chicagoans are buying, and retailer trends in trying to attract us to spend our money.

Connected To Chicago - 12-06-14 - This week's newsmaker is the Illinois State Senator from Palatine, Matt Murphy. He and host Bill Cameron discuss the passing of the 70 mile per hour speed limit being brought to the Chicago area toll ways. They also cover the minimum wage increase, the eavesdropping bill tied to body cameras on police officers and the growing concern of watching the police. What is the fate of the 5% state income tax rate next year? What's his opinion on early voting and the same day voting registration? And bobcat hunting, why is it necessary? In the Round Table, host Bill Cameron is joined by Fran Spielman of the Sun-Times from the city hall press room, and Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune from Springfield. Then, with the holidays here, Jennifer Keiper covers consumer confidence, what economists expect from us this holiday shopping season, what Chicagoans are buying, and retailer trends in trying to attract us to spend our money.