State Week

An analysis of the week in Illinois politics and government from the NPR Illinois.comments@stateweek.org

State Week: A new budget within reach

Lawmakers had a tentative deal Friday on a spending plan, paving the way for the spring session to end as early as this weekend.

05-24
28:59

State Week: The year in review

It was a good year for Democrats. Not so much for Republicans. We look back on the year in Illinois government and politics.

12-29
28:59

State Week: A battle over guns is looming

Illinois lawmakers could soon vote on a measure that would ban what are often referred to as assault weapons and raise the minimum age for legally owning a gun to 21.

12-22
28:59

State Week: The divide within the Republican Party

The Illinois Republican State Central Committee met this month. While party leadership — including state chair Don Tracy — remain in place, there are different opinions in the ranks regarding the future direction of the party.

12-16
28:59

State Week: Pritzker doubles down on assault weapons ban

Gov. JB Pritzker this week reiterated his goal of changing the state's gun laws.

12-09
28:59

State Week: After months of speculation, SAFE-T Act changes approved

The changes were approved along party lines, as only Democrats offered support. Republicans argued the effort failed to fully address problems with the original law.

12-02
28:59

State Week: Examining Illinois' fiscal health

Illinois has made a big turnaround when it comes to its budget. Bills are being paid on time and the state has even socked some money away in its rainy day fund. But the future remains cloudy as national and international issues could impact revenue. And, don't forget about pension debt.

11-23
28:59

State Week: Workers' rights amendment wins narrow approval

Enough voters backed the change to the Illinois Constitution, which will guarantee a right to collective bargaining.

11-18
28:59

State Week: Dems win big, GOP deals with fallout

Illinois state government will stay in Democratic hands. Gov. JB Pritzker and other statewide candidates swept Republicans on election night. The Democrats also increased their legislative supermajority. As for the Illinois GOP, the results set off a chain reaction.

11-11
28:59

State Week: Attacks continue until the end

Many of the campaigns are continuing their negative approach in the final days before the election.

11-04
28:58

State Week: Countdown to the election

With less than two weeks to go before the election, our panel looks at the latest poll numbers. Which way are voters leaning and how do they feel about the direction of the state?

10-28
28:59

State Week: Pritzker, Bailey meet in final debate

There have been a pair of televised debates featuring the two major party candidates for Illinois governor, with the latest coming this week. While both J.B. Pritzker and Darren Bailey argued and criticized each other, did voters learn anything new?

10-21
29:02

State Week: Madigan faces new charge; Voters to decide races for Illinois Supreme Court

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan faces a new conspiracy count as part of the federal racketeering and bribery investigation against him.

10-14
29:02

State Week: Takeaways from the Illinois governor's debate

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker stood on the stage with Republican Illinois Senator Darren Bailey in the first televised debate between the two this election season. They strongly disagreed on many subjects. But did voters learn anything?

10-07
28:59

State Week: What the polls show in Illinois

As the calendar moves into October, the election is just a handful of weeks away. New polling results this week continue to show incumbent Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker with a solid lead over Republican challenger Darren Bailey.

09-30
29:00

Statewide: Maintaining voter integrity

With the fall election nearing, many have raised questions about the validity of the electoral process. That includes making sure those casting a ballot are eligible. We hear from Illinois election authorities about how they make sure voter rolls are accurate and how citizens can make sure their ballots are counted.

09-22
50:33

State Week: Unpacking the SAFE-T Act

Our panel offers a primer on the law, how it came about and what it will do. We also examine the GOP messaging that surrounds the law and how Democrats have failed to fully explain the changes to the public.

09-16
28:59

State Week: Abuse inside a state-run mental health center

A new investigative collaboration between Capitol News Illinois, Lee Enterprises Midwest and ProPublica has found hundreds of reports of abuse inside the Choate Mental Health and Development Center in Anna, Illinois.

09-09
28:59

State Week: Bailey gets financial boost, but is it too late?

Darren Bailey received a $1 million contribution to his campaign from conservative businessman Richard Uihlein. But a new poll also shows Bailey and other GOP candidates running statewide way behind their Democratic opponents. We talk about it and contests for the Illinois Supreme Court.

09-02
28:59

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