The Prairie State Wire Podcast

What happens when mental health support in schools crosses into questions about privacy, parental rights, and the role of government in children's lives? In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, Brian is joined by Erika Sanzi, Senior Director of Communications at Defending Education, for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about Illinois' move to implement universal mental health screenings for students.

Drawing on her experience as a teacher, union member, education advocate, and mother of three, Erika unpacks how these screenings are being introduced, who is administering them, and why she believes the policy raises serious concerns for families. The discussion explores the difference between helping children who are clearly struggling and screening every student regardless of symptoms, as well as the risk of false positives, the qualifications of those conducting the assessments, and the broader cultural shift toward what she describes as the "pathologizing" of normal childhood emotions.

You'll also hear a practical conversation about what rights parents currently have, how opt-out provisions work, and why awareness and collective action play such a central role in shaping education policy at the local level. Whether you see school-based mental health initiatives as a necessary safety net or an example of institutional overreach, this episode offers a window into one of the most contested issues in education today and the real-world implications for students, families, and educators.

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde speaks with journalist and policy expert Diana Rickert, a former vice president at the Liberty Justice Center and Illinois Policy Institute.

Rickert discusses Governor J.B. Pritzker's political ambitions and what his record in Illinois reveals about his leadership. She highlights three key issues—Illinois' crushing tax burden, the economic and social fallout of extended COVID lockdowns, and the decline of public education—and argues that Pritzker's policies have harmed working families while failing to deliver results.

Rickert warns that the rest of the country should take note if Pritzker seeks national office, describing Illinois as a cautionary tale of high taxes, poor accountability, and shrinking educational opportunity

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde speaks with Illinois State Senator Sally Turner (R=44th) about her bill, Senate Bill 2706, which would require wind and solar energy companies to pay their fair share of property taxes.

Turner explains that while renewable energy has expanded rapidly across Illinois since 2007, the tax assessment formula for wind and solar installations has not been updated in nearly two decades—shifting the burden onto homeowners and small businesses. She argues that modernizing the valuation system would reduce property tax pressure on residents without halting renewable growth.

Turner also discusses Illinois' high property tax rankings, the need for balanced energy policy including nuclear and natural gas, and her efforts to build bipartisan support for the legislation in Springfield

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde talks with actuary and writer Mary Pat Campbell, who specializes in public finance and pensions.

Campbell breaks down Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's proposal to reinstate a per-employee "head tax," explaining how similar policies have failed in other cities like Seattle and why they discourage business growth. She discusses Chicago's ongoing fiscal challenges, including underfunded pensions, budget shortfalls, and strained relations between city and state leaders.

Campbell warns that tax-heavy policies drive away employers and revenue, while political leaders continue to ignore long-term pension liabilities. She also highlights the broader lessons Chicago offers on government mismanagement and the limits of taxation as a fix for structural financial problems

Attorney and former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti joined the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss his campaign for Illinois Attorney General. Fioretti shared how his legal background and history of building coalitions inform his vision for the office. He emphasized the need for absolute integrity, pledging to represent citizens rather than political insiders. Fioretti outlined his plans to hold government accountable by investigating corruption, enforcing transparency, and ensuring that public officials operate in the best interest of Illinois residents.

Chicago investor and writer Jeffrey Carter joined the Prairie State Wire podcast to unpack Gov. J.B. Pritzker's disclosure of $1.4 million in gambling income. Carter contrasted Pritzker's sharp awareness of his personal finances with his approach to managing taxpayer money, suggesting the governor's private attentiveness doesn't extend to state spending.

He also questioned the realism of Pritzker's reported $10 million annual income, noting that the costs of maintaining his financial network likely exceed that amount. The discussion concluded with Carter's take on how Pritzker's national political ambitions could shape both Illinois's fiscal direction and his broader political trajectory.

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