Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard joined us on the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss how weaponized illegal immigration has allowed individuals with criminal histories or intent to cross the border and how this affects taxpayers and crime victims.

He also discussed why federal criminal justice laws must be enforced in harmony with local and state law enforcement and why the TRUST Act interferes with assisting federal authorities. He also said the oath to uphold the state and federal constitutions can put lawful immigration enforcement at the mercy of politicians who violate both constitutions.

State Rep. William Hauter (Illinois District 87) joined us recently on the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss Covid vaccine mandates.

Dr. Hauter is a practicing physician in Peoria, specializing in anesthesiology and emergency medicine. He discussed how the medical community suffered from a serious loss of trust based on lockdown policies and mandates that were pushed and enforced during the Covid pandemic.

We also discussed the need for reform at the state level to ensure that the Illinois assembly is able to exercise oversight during declared public emergencies and power isn't consolidated exclusively in the executive branch.

Joe Tabor from the Illinois Policy Institute's Center for Labor and Litigation joined us recently on the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss gerrymandering in Illinois. He discussed how redistricting power in Illinois is being abused by politicians to create "safe" districts that protect incumbents and where voters aren't given real choices in competitive elections.

On this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde talks with IL State Rep. Rep. Dennis Tipsword (R), who represents Illinois' 105th Legislative District and has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience.

Tipsword explains how the 2021 SAFE-T Act—passed as a sweeping 752-page criminal justice reform—has created major challenges for police, prosecutors, and judges, particularly in the elimination of cash bail. Drawing on real-world cases, he outlines the risks to community safety, the strain on courts, and the financial fallout for counties.

The discussion also highlights potential reforms, from expanding detainable offenses to restoring judicial discretion, and explores how citizens can engage in the legislative process through newsletters and witness slips

Award-winning author and Discovery Institute Center on Human Exceptionalism Chair Wesley J. Smith joined the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss the expanding push for assisted suicide. Smith explained why advocates rely on euphemistic language to obscure the true implications of euthanasia policies.

He identified the ill, disabled, and elderly as the most vulnerable to this messaging and argued that society has a moral obligation to protect them. The conversation also examined shifting bioethics and warned against cultural trends that attempt to judge whose lives are considered "worthwhile" and whose are not.

• How litigation costs against cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles are spiraling out of control and fueling budget crises.
• Why weak leadership and "settle-first" policies have encouraged a wave of frivolous lawsuits.
• How state-level laws and mismanagement make municipalities easy targets for trial lawyers at taxpayers' expense.

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde sits down with Matt Wigginton, the newly elected mayor of Peoria Heights. Wigginton explains his decision to veto a proposed local grocery tax after Illinois repealed the statewide version, arguing that taxing essentials would hit his community's struggling families the hardest.

He shares the economic history of Peoria Heights, concerns about creating a food desert, and how keeping groceries tax-free could help attract new stores. Wigginton also reflects on being one of the few municipal leaders in Illinois to reject the tax, the feedback he's received from residents and peers, and why he believes real relief starts at the local level.

Laurie Parman on raising Illinois' educational standardsIn this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde talks with Laurie Parman, a retired educator with 30 years of experience and a mission to raise educational standards in Illinois by improving literacy and rooting out the distracting ideological agendas and wasteful spending. Laurie discusses her experiences during her three decades in the classroom and what stirred her passion to reach the students considered "unreachable" by other educators.

Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss his ongoing fight to reform the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) and protect individuals with disabilities from neglect, abuse, and bureaucratic failure.

A fourth-generation farmer from Okawville and a lifelong resident of Illinois' 109th District, Meier didn't plan to enter politics—but his commitment to ensuring proper care for the state's most vulnerable citizens drew him into public service. Over the years, he has become one of the leading advocates for reforming the state's group home system and holding DHS accountable for systemic mismanagement.

• How Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats manipulated redistricting maps to entrench one-party control.
• The loss of fair representation for Republican and independent voters due to decades of political gerrymandering.
• The need for a nonpartisan redistricting commission and greater citizen involvement in local and state politics.