Under the Dome

On this week's episode of the Under the Dome Podcast, we discuss ...

* Numerous lawsuits involving AFSCME, state government's largest employee union.

* The latest #MeToo fallout that saw the resignation last week of a top aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan.

* The latest on the advertising war between Gov. Bruce Rauner and challenger J.B. Pritzker.

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On this week's episode of Under the Dome:

* Another associate of House Speaker Michael Madigan stepped down this week amid sexual harassment allegations.

* Should former Gov. Rod Blagojevich get out of prison early? President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin actually agree on the answer.

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In a move not seen in many years in the Illinois General Assembly, lawmaker approved a state budget by the May 31 deadline. And they didn't even bicker about it too much. The Under the Dome Podcast crew marvels over this development and also talks about other Statehouse action over the past week, including:

* Allegations leveled against Rep. Lou Lang

* The approval of the Equal Rights Amendment

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On this week's episode of Under the Dome ...

* Guns and the death penalty are being hotly debated.

* Budget negotiations continue

* Rep. Kelly Cassidy (pictured) and House Speaker Michael Madigan are feuding.

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On this week's episode of Under the Dome, Bernie, Doug and Angie discuss the week that was in Illinois politics and government, including:

* Gov. Bruce Rauner's effort to bring back the death penalty to Illinois

* The various bills being introduced, vetoed and amended pertaining to gun control.

* The challenges of getting the Equal Rights Amendment ratified in the House

* The new-found unity in the Illinois Republican Party as two factions within the GOP forge a deal.

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Angie, Doug and Bernie talk about the week that was in Illinois government and politics in this week's episode of Under the Dome. Topics include:

* The ongoing state budget fight

* Officials criticized for how they handled the Legionnaires disease outbreak at the veterans home in Quincy.

* GOP infighting.

* The quest for the legislature to approve the federal Equal Rights Amendment.

* Talk of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum having to unload some of its artifacts to raise money.

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State Sen. Sam McCann has drawn the ire of Republicans for deciding to run for governor as a third-party candidate. Now, he's suing the GOP for cutting off his access to services normally provided to state senators. We also talk about plans to rebuild the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, which has been plagued with outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. Plus, will a state budget be approved on time this year?

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There's a big showdown expected at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, as legislators decide whether to override Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto of a gun shop licensing bill, all while thousands of gun supporters converge on Springfield for their annual gun rights lobbying day. The Under the Dome crew discusses this topic — along with Michael Madigan's re-election as Illinois Democratic Party chairman, marijuana legalization and Sam McCann's entry into the governor's race — on this week's episode of the podcast. 

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The Equal Rights Amendment — an issue that prompted fierce debates and animal blood to be spilled on the floor of the Illinois Capitol in the 1980s — was up for discussion again at the Statehouse. 

Also, the spring legislative session has resumed after a break. Republicans and Democrats are already sparring over the budget.

We talk about it all on this week's episode of Under the Dome.

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