Good afternoon, Illinois.

Our podcast has been a bit on the shelf for a while, but we had an opportunity to sit down this morning with House Speaker Chris Welch on the morning after the fall veto session.

We discussed the recussitation and passage of a major mass transit bailout bill, a bill to protect immigrants in the country illegally, and the passage of energy legislation.

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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.

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Here’s the video version of the podcast:

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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.

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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.

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Here’s the video version of the podcast:

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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.

Here’s the video version:

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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.

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Here’s the video version:

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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.”

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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. 

You can watch the video of our live stream below:

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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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Our conversation with Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long on corruption, Madigan, Burke, and more.

You can watch the video version below:

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theillinoize.substack.com/subscribe