The Illinoize Podcast: Recent Episodes
Forward Thinking Media, LLC
Longtime journalist and political operative Patrick Pfingsten, who writes The Illinoize political newsletter, takes on politicians, tough topics, and common sense while he cuts through the noise of politics in the Land of Lincoln.
As House Speaker Chris Welch has appointed a Democrat-only working group to address the looming funding crisis for Chicago area mass transit systems, one of the co-chairs of the group, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the funding hole, reform, if it will result in a tax increase, and why Republicans weren’t allowed at the table.
We’re also joined by Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to talk about the Tribune series on corruption in Illinois government and the trial of former AT&T executive Paul La Schiazza and the scheduled trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.
After Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President Monday morning, speculation about Pritzker for Vice President immediately kicked in.
We discuss Pritzker's chances, the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and more with Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson and Chicago Alderman Gilbert Villegas.
Illinois Republicans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention are optimistic about their chances to retake the Oval Office, but tensions still persist inside the Illinois Republican Party. We're joined by outgoing Republican National Committeeman for Illinois, Richard Porter, and WGN-TV Political Reporter Tahman Bradley.
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) joins The Illinoize to discuss former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions, the Gotion battery plant deal, GOP views of IVF and abortion, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel.
We're also joined by former State Representative and pollster Mark Batinick about polling showing broad opposition to public funding for a new Bears stadium and numbers trending for Republicans around the state in November.
We’re joined by Comptroller Susana Mendoza who offers her thoughts on the new state budget and her comments about budget cuts that brought swift condemnation from Governor JB Pritzker and his top staff.
We also discuss budget drama with Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.
With a week remaining before lawmakers are scheduled to pass a budget and leave Springfield, tensions remain high between Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers over $800 million in tax increases.
Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discusses where things stand and if Democrats can adjourn on time.
We’ll also preview the final week of session with Ben Szalinski, a legislative reporter for The Daily Line.
As the spring legislative session heats up and winds down all at the same time, we check in with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) on budget talks, the Bears, and a bill ending slating of legislative candidates.
We also talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fruitless trip to Springfield with Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the failures of the Prisoner Review Board that led to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We’re joined by Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to discuss how to fix the board. Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt also joins us to discuss his new book on former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot “The City is Up for Grabs.”
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises, Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune, and Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald to preview top congressional and legislative primaries around the state this Tuesday.
We’re joined by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) on the Trump impact on Republican candidates, property taxes, and the state’s migrant crisis. We’re also joined by Dean Olsen of the Illinois Times, who has been covering the pending corruption trial of former Sen. Sam McCann.
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Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who has been appointed to chair a House Democrat working group on the migrant crisis. We also discuss the city of Chicago response with longtime Chicago columnist Eric Zorn.
We visit with Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Alex Degman, Statehouse Reporter for WBEZ.
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Patrick Pfingsten of theillinoize.com sits down with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to discuss crime, corruption, the criminal trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and more.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the migrant crisis mess in Chicago. We dig into the tense relationship between Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson with Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune. Then, we're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) for a conversation on migrants, Soldier Field, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) challenges for college athletes.
On this week’s podcast, we talk to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) about funding for migrants, the Invest in Kids program, Ameren’s power grid, and if House Republican can compete in 2024. We’re also joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the looming shutdown of the federal government.
We break down the perjury and obstruction of justice conviction of Tim Mapes, the longtime Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. We’re also joined by former Congressman, SIU President, and 1998 Democratic nominee for Governor Glenn Poshard, the author of the new book “Son of Southern Illinois.”
We discuss the new Auditor General’s report on $5 billion in pandemic unemployment fraud with Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). We also talk about poor GOP fundraising and Republican chances in 2024 with GOP consultant Collin Corbett.
We discuss the Mike Bost/Darren Bailey 12th District primary with Brenden Moore of the Lee Enterprises group of newspapers and southern Illinois GOP consultant Michael Butler of Cor Strategies.
Patrick is joined by Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) and Chicago Tribune statehouse reporter Jeremy Gorner.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the end of the spring legislative session with Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford).
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Jon Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times to discuss the ComEd Four trial and the latest news on the Illinois assault weapons ban. We also talk corruption with former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
Comments from Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson and a visit with Joliet's Mayor-Elect, Terry D'Arcy.
We preview Tuesday's mayoral elections in Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, and Springfield with political consultant Collin Corbett.
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Patrick Pfingsten discusses the Chicago mayoral election with Tahman Bradley of WGN-TV and political operative Chris Jackowiak.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses Governor JB Pritzker's budget proposal and gets reaction from Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) and Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
Patrick Pfingsten talks with former Congressman and former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, Bill Enyart. We also look into data detailing why Republicans lost in 2022 with GOP consultant Collin Corbett.
We're joined by Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) on guns, taxes, and the Governor's 2023 agenda. We also discuss the multiple legal issues facing newly passed laws and former Speaker Michael Madigan with Jon Seidel, the federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses state finances with Comptroller Susana Mendoza and welcomes former Congressman Rodney Davis to talk about the messy race for Speaker of the House and the future of the Illinois GOP. Learn more at www.theillinoize.com.
Patrick Pfingsten reviews Gov. JB Pritzker's signature on the assault weapons ban bill. We discuss with gun rights supporter Todd Vandermyde. We're also joined by Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long on Chris Welch's ascent to the Speakership two years ago and the mounting criminal case against former Speaker Michael Madigan.
A special post-inaugural podcast featuring insight on Governor JB Pritzker's inaugural address and second term agenda. Patrick Pfingsten is joined by former Democratic Rep. Litesa Wallace and former Republican Rep. Ron Sandack.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the proposed assault weapons ban likely headed for passage in the House. We're also joined by Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune on what to expect from the second term of Governor JB Pritzker.
Patrick Pfingsten discussed an assault weapon ban proposal and is joined by incoming House Republican Leader Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna).
Patrick Pfingsten discusses changes to the cash bail system in Illinois and what legislators need to do to fix it with DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin and Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Rietz.
Patrick Pfingsten breaks down election results and what's next for Illinois. We're joined by former Democratic State Representative Litesa Wallace and outgoing Republican Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield). Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises also checks in on the governor's race, congressional races, and one of the ugliest statehouse races in Illinois.
Just six days before the November 8 General Election, Patrick Pfingsten sits down with U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Salvi and Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Dan Petrella.
We discuss Amendment 1, the "Worker's Rights Amendment" on the ballot November 8. Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea discusses it in favor of the amendment, while Mailee Smith of the Illinois Policy Institute speaks in opposition.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the race for Secretary of State with GOP candidate Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) and Chicago Tribune reporter Jeremy Gorner.
Patrick Pfingsten talks about ethics among Supreme Court candidates and discusses crime and bail reform with Sen. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago). We're also joined by former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady to preview Thursday's first debate in the race for Governor.
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) on the SAFE-T Act and potential changes and ethics reform. We also discuss the ethics saga of Sen. Mike Hastings with WBEZ Investigative Reporter Dan Mihalopoulos.
Patrick Pfingsten discusses criminal justice reform, preventing crime, and a liberal christian's view on abortion with Rep. Maurice West (D-Rockford). We also discuss allegations of violence and neglect at the Choate Developmental Center in southern Illinois with Beth Hundsdorfer of Capitol News Illinois.
Patrick Pfingsten opens the show by discussing a new report on abuse and neglect of residents at the Choate Mental Health Center in southern Illinois. We're joined by Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) and WGN-TV political analyst Paul Lisnek.
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Sen. Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) on the life of an elected moderate. We also discuss our new polling with longtime Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn.
Patrick Pfingsten speaks with Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) about abortion, parental notification, and her campaign seeking a full term in the Senate.
We're also joined by Brenden Moore, the state government and political reporter for Lee Enterprises newspapers in Illinois.
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Patrick Pfingsten discusses the controversial criminal justice reform law in Illinois. We're joined by Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) on guns, abortion, and why he's leaving the General Assembly.
We're also joined by Ted McClelland, a political writer for Chicago Magazine.
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Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Todd Maisch, the President & CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to discuss the business climate in Illinois.
We're also joined by left-leaning talk show host Jim Leach of WMAY in Springfield.
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Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), who was present at the Highland Park parade on July 4th when a gunman opened fire.
We're also joined by the great Rick Pearson of the Chicago Tribune to discuss the race for Governor in Illinois.
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Send us your comments and questions at mailbag@theillinoize.com.