The Illinoize Podcast

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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Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who has been appointed to chair a House Democrat working group on the migrant crisis. We also discuss the city of Chicago response with longtime Chicago columnist Eric Zorn.

We visit with Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Alex Degman, Statehouse Reporter for WBEZ.

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Patrick Pfingsten of theillinoize.com sits down with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to discuss crime, corruption, the criminal trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and more.

Patrick Pfingsten discusses the migrant crisis mess in Chicago. We dig into the tense relationship between Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson with Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune. Then, we're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) for a conversation on migrants, Soldier Field, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) challenges for college athletes.

On this week's podcast, we talk to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) about funding for migrants, the Invest in Kids program, Ameren's power grid, and if House Republican can compete in 2024. We're also joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.