Under the Dome

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, Bernard Schoenburg, Doug Finke and Angie Muhs recap Wednesday night's debate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and J.B. Pritzker. They also talk about other campaign news and step increases for state employees.

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we review the controversy surrounding a stovepipe hat that allegedly belonged to Abraham Lincoln, the race between U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Betsy Dirksen Londrigan and last week's governor's debate. We also preview a story coming up Sunday about the increased use of digital ads in this year's election campaign.

The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke review the week that was in Illinois government and politics. 

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has been busy with his veto pen this week, opposing bills that would ban tobacco sales to people under 21 and pay teachers a guaranteed $40,000 salary. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs also has a bone to pick with Rauner over office space for treasurer employees in Springfield. He also signed a bill allowing wider use of medical marijuana. We also cover Election 2018, including the races for governor and the 13th Congressional District.

As we wash down that final corn dog with a final swig of a lemon shakeup, we recap the political action that happened at the just-completed 2018 Illinois State Fair. We also look at a new poll in the governor's race and the legal troubles faced by a now-former Rodney Davis campaign staffer.

This week on the Under the Dome Podcast, we discuss:

* The departure of Nick Sauer from the Illinois House after allegations from an ex-girlfriend.

* State workers finally getting some back pay.

* Gov. Rauner signing an "offshoring" bill.

* A look ahead at the Illinois State Fair, including Democrats' plans to host former Vice President Joe Biden. 

On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we preview President Trump's trip to the U.S. Steel plant (pictured) in Granite City, Illinois. Also, we discuss the controversy that arose when a Chicago mayoral candidate started handing out money at an event Gov. Bruce Rauner was attending. Plus, Mark Janus has a new job. 

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has been busy this week signing bills related to gun control and the Quincy veterans' home. We also have reaction from the Trump-Putin meeting in Finland. All this and more on this week's episode of the Under the Dome podcast.

With the July 4 holiday, it's a light-news week in Illinois government. Still, we learned that state Sen. Sam McCann's petitions to run for governor were not challenged, which means he, along with Gov. Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker and Libertarian Kash Jackson will all be running for governor. Also, we talk about Rauner's recent trip to Champaign-Urbana to make up for unflattering comments he recently made about the region.