State Week
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State Week
An analysis of the week in Illinois politics and government from the NPR Illinois.comments@stateweek.orgSupport for State Week comes from:Pie OrgThe Illinois Education Association Visit Springfield
Recent Episodes
69 episodes
State Week: Concerns over Trump's mail voting rules
Illinois has joined other states in a legal challenge against the president's order.
State Week: Politics at the Illinois State Fair
Democrats and Republicans held their annual rallies at the fairgrounds in Springfield.
State Week: Campaign season is underway
The Democratic and Republican nominees for governor appeared separately at the same event this week.
State Week: Speaker Welch responds
House Speaker Emanual "Chris" Welch spoke to several media outlets this week, saying he was sorry for his actions and issued an apology.
State Week: Who's in the race for Chicago mayor?
Several candidates are eyeing the position in the 2027 election.
State Week: The speaker faces fallout
Former Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) resigned this summer after sexual harassment allegations came to light. But the Illinois House Speaker, Emanue...
State Week: Trump continues to raise election security concerns ahead of the midterms
The president again reiterated his allegations that elections are vulnerable to being stolen, but some see allegations as a bigger threat.
State Week: Ammons indicted, Benton resigns
A pair of Illinois House Democrats were in the spotlight this week for different reasons.
State Week: A new fiscal year brings new laws
On this episode, we discuss some of the new laws that took effect in Illinois.
State Week: A data center discussion
On this episode, we talk about the controversy surrounding data center development and efforts to enact guardrails at the state level. Lawmakers left...
State Week: Illinois tackles the intoxicating hemp industry
A new law puts rules on what had been an unregulated product.
State Week: Is the Chicago Bears' move to Indiana a done deal?
The team didn't get what it wanted from Illinois lawmakers. But that doesn't necessarily mean the issue won't be reworked and reconsidered.
State Week: A session wrap-up
Illinois lawmakers passed a budget and a flurry of other legislation in the final session days. But the Chicago Bears request for help with a new stad...
State Week: The final hours
The Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to end its spring session Sunday. But there are a lot of issues left to consider.
State Week: Legislation moves forward as the session winds down
With about a week left before adjournment, legislation is advancing at the Illinois statehouse.
State Week: Plenty of issues on the table
The legislature is scheduled to adjourn the spring session at the end of May.
State Week: A status check on Illinois budget talks
Lawmakers are scheduled to wrap up their session by May 31.
State Week: Illinois seeks to hold ICE accountable
The Illinois Accountability Commission issued its final report into Operation Midway Blitz.
State Week: Illinois' gameplan for keeping the Chicago Bears
A major piece of legislation made it through the Illinois House this week. But more changes are expected as the state tries to prevent the NFL team fr...
State Week: Court orders release and new trials for two of the ComEd 4
The decision comes nearly three years after their convictions on charges that involved what prosecutors called a bribery scheme involving ex-Illinois...
State Week: The property tax burden is getting more focus
While there always complaints over property taxes, legislators have rarely tried to tackle the issue.
State Week: The data center debate
The centers are considered the backbone of the internet, providing processing power for technology like AI and cloud computing. But they are also cont...
State Week: Lawmakers consider a higher education funding change
A plan to create more equity among campuses is running into opposition from the state's flagship university.
State Week: A look at key primary races
Voters will decide primaries for the U.S. Senate, governor and more on election day next week.
State Week: JB Pritzker responds to Clinton testimony
The governor was quick to deny any ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and Clinton later retracted that part of his testimony.
State Week: The Illinois Accountability Commission hears more testimony
The panel was created to document incidents and the impact of immigration enforcement during Operation Midway Blitz.
State Week: The governor's budget plan
Gov. JB Pritzker presented his spending plan to lawmakers this week. We discuss the package and the reaction to it.
State Week: Governor deals with uncertainty as he prepares to deliver his budget address
The uncertainty of federal funding has increased over the past year, making this fiscal plan JB Pritzker's most challenging so far.
State Week: Pritzker's pension push
The governor is looking ahead on the state's pension debt as he prepares to present his next budget proposal.
State Week: ICE under scrutiny
Amid questions about tactics and leadership change, the Trump Administration is under more pressure about its immigration enforcement campaign. What d...
State Week: Lawmakers discuss potential changes to the SAFE-T Act
The landmark criminal justice package that eliminated cash bail could be changed during the upcoming spring session.
State Week: The Chicago Bears game plan for a new stadium
The Chicago Bears success on the field this season has yet to translate into the team getting what it wants for a new home.
State Week: Trump targets Illinois with funding freeze; major energy package signed into law
The Trump Administration froze about $10 billion in social services funding for five Democrat-led states. Also, Gov. JB Pritzker is touting a new ener...
State Week: The state of local news 2025
We discuss the latest State of Local News report produced by the Local News Initiative at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.
State Week: The year in review
On this episode, we look back on the stories that made news over the past year in state government and politics.
State Week: Illinois wants to hold ICE accountable
The first Illinois Accountability Commission public meeting took place this week. Also, the governor signs major legislation.
State Week: New Illinois immigrant protection law likely to face a legal challenge
The law places limits on where immigration enforcement agents can detain people. It also gives those who believe their constitutional rights have been...
State Week: Illinois goes its own way on vaccines
IDPH will now be able to form guidelines using a combination of the CDC’s guidance, recommendations from the World Health Organization and other medic...
State Week: When ICE comes downstate
The focus of immigration enforcement this year has been in the Chicago area. But ICE has also been active downstate, in many smaller communities.