The Illinoize Podcast

As House Speaker Chris Welch has appointed a Democrat-only working group to address the looming funding crisis for Chicago area mass transit systems, one of the co-chairs of the group, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the funding hole, reform, if it will result in a tax increase, and why Republicans weren’t allowed at the table.

We’re also joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to talk about the Tribune series on corruption in Illinois government and the trial of former AT&T executive Paul La Schiazza and the scheduled trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

After Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President Monday morning, speculation about Pritzker for Vice President immediately kicked in.

We discuss Pritzker's chances, the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and more with Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson and Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas.

Illinois Republicans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention are optimistic about their chances to retake the Oval Office, but tensions still persist inside the Illinois Republican Party. We're joined by outgoing Republican National Committeeman for Illinois, Richard Porter, and WGN-TV Political Reporter Tahman Bradley.

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) joins The Illinoize to discuss former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions, the Gotion battery plant deal, GOP views of IVF and abortion, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel.

We're also joined by former State Representative and pollster Mark Batinick about polling showing broad opposition to public funding for a new Bears stadium and numbers trending for Republicans around the state in November.

We’re joined by Comptroller Susana Mendoza who offers her thoughts on the new state budget and her comments about budget cuts that brought swift condemnation from Governor JB Pritzker and his top staff.

We also discuss budget drama with Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.

With a week remaining before lawmakers are scheduled to pass a budget and leave Springfield, tensions remain high between Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers over $800 million in tax increases.

Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discusses where things stand and if Democrats can adjourn on time.

We’ll also preview the final week of session with Ben Szalinski, a legislative reporter for The Daily Line.

As the spring legislative session heats up and winds down all at the same time, we check in with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) on budget talks, the Bears, and a bill ending slating of legislative candidates.

We also talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fruitless trip to Springfield with Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the failures of the Prisoner Review Board that led to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We’re joined by Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to discuss how to fix the board. Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt also joins us to discuss his new book on former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot “The City is Up for Grabs.”

Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises, Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune, and Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald to preview top congressional and legislative primaries around the state this Tuesday. 

We’re joined by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) on the Trump impact on Republican candidates, property taxes, and the state’s migrant crisis. We’re also joined by Dean Olsen of the Illinois Times, who has been covering the pending corruption trial of former Sen. Sam McCann.

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