State Week

The former president will appear in western Illinois at a rally for Congresswoman Mary Miller. It's likely to give her campaign a boost. Will Trump also make an endorsement in the governor's race?

Republican State Senator Darren Bailey has moved ahead in recent polling in his effort to gain his party's gubernatorial nomination

There was another debate this week in the race to be the Republican nominee for governor. But this marked the first time all candidates participated. Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin was the target of most attacks from his rivals as the election inches closer.We also discuss new reporting from the Better Government Association into the state's child welfare agency.

The tragedy in Uvalde, Texas this week shook the nation and once again thrust the issue of guns into the campaign spotlight. While Illinois has more restrictive gun laws than many states, politicians in both parties are weighing in on what they say is needed to prevent mass shootings. Not surprisingly, there is plenty of disagreement.

Early voting kicked off in many parts of Illinois this week. Meanwhile, the campaigns have stepped up their efforts, especially in the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Another week and another audit critical of a state agency. This time it focused on the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The audit found continuing problems at DCFS. Also, the GOP gubernatorial hopeful Richard Irvin held a news conference this week. But he didn't like the questions from reporters.

When a leaked draft copy of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion became public this week, it created a firestorm. The long standing decision in Roe v. Wade, which ensured the right to an abortion, is apparently close to being overturned. What does that mean for Illinois, which has some of the more progressive abortion access laws in the country? And will it be the issue most on voters' minds?

Illinois voters will have a new experience this year. The primary election has been moved until late June. Races are starting to heat up. But is the public paying attention?

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois' next budget into law this week, even though it's more than two months until it takes effect. Moody's Investor Service also upgraded Illinois' credit rating, the third upgrade the state has been given in the past year. Moody's and Standard and Poor's issued upgrades previously. We also discuss the latest election related news.

Lawmakers made an early departure from the statehouse after wrapping up the spring session. Before doing so, they passed a new budget, anti-crime legislation and more. We discuss it on this episode.