Under the Dome: Recent Episodes
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Brought to you by Gannett Illinois and powered by The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois, Under the Dome explores recent happenings in Illinois government and politics.
On their final episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke take a walk down memory lane to reminisce over their 70 years of combined coverage of Illinois politics for the State Journal-Register.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they break down the indictment of Michael McClain, one of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s oldest and most trusted confidants, along with three others that are charged with orchestrating an elaborate bribery scheme with utility giant Commonwealth Edison. They also take a look at what this all means for his tenure as speaker as more House Democrats say that can't support Madigan for another term as speaker.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this week's episode they break down the cancellation of the fall veto session and what it means for the Illinois Legislature as COVID-19 spreads across the state.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Doug and Bernie have survived election night and are breaking down the results and what it all means for Illinois. The results have top Illinois Democrats, including Gov. JB Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, saying that the party should consider replacing House Speaker Michael Madigan as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. They also dive into Gov. Pritzker saying that “deep and painful cuts” are coming to the Illinois budget now that his plan to bring a graduated income tax to the state has failed.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss the Illinois High School Association rejecting Gov. JB Prtizker's order to move high school basketball to the Spring after the sport was reclassified as high risk for COVID-19 transmission. They also discuss that in the same week nine of the 11 regions in Illinois will have COVID-19 mitigation measures put in place as the state smashed the previous record for the number of new cases in a 24-hour period with 6,363 cases as the virus surges across the state.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across all of Illinois and mitigations being put in place by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in four regions in the state. Gov. Pritzker has also said the Illinois State Police have been alerted to be on patrol in areas with coronavirus mitigation efforts in place. They also dive into election messages heating up as political advertisements are bombarding the airwaves and mailboxes.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss Sangamon County Circuit Judge Raylene Grishow giving attorneys until Oct. 23 to submit final paperwork that could be used in her decision on arguments for three issues, the biggest being whether lawsuits filed in six counties challenging Pritzker’s authority to issue stay at home orders and other measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic should be dismissed. They also look at the issue of the graduated income tax amendment on the ballot and how that factors into the size of the state's workforce in arguments for or against the change in tax rates.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss the announcement by Rep. Emanuel “Chris" Welch, D-Hillside, delaying the hearings into House Speaker Michael Madigan until after the November election to prevent the committee from being used “as a stage for political theater.” They dive into the continuing battle for the graduated income tax amendment including this week's canceled press conference by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs to "address misinformation" about taxing retirement income.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss the House committee investigating Speaker Michael Madigan showing strong partisan divisions after arguing over whether House Republican Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs would be allowed to give an opening statement or question witnesses as it investigates Madigan's role in the bribery scandal involving Commonwealth Edison. They also discuss the announcement from Rep. Stephanie Kifowit that she will challenge Speaker Madigan for leadership of the chamber, trying to unseat the longest serving speaker in the history of the country.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss Gov. Pritzker standing firm on the decision to delay fall sports that are high risk for COVID-19 to the spring despite rallies of supporters in Chicago and Springfield. They also take a look at where the state stands financially as state agencies have been ordered to identify steep budget cuts that can be made if Congress fails to come through with more COVID-19 relief money.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they take a look at the new coronavirus mitigation rules put into effect for Kankakee and Will counties by Gov. Pritzker and the controversy over why they were stricter than those put in place for the Metro East area. They also look into the conflict over prisoners with COVID-19 and the State's policy of not allowing them to be transferred from county facilities to state facilities while infected.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they reminisce about covering former Gov. James R. Thompson, the state's longest serving governor from 1977 to 1991, who passed away last Friday. They also take a look at the decision of the board of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol to remove the statues of Stephen Douglas and Pierre Menard from the Illinois Capitol grounds and what that means for the other artwork and statues inside the Capitol.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they take a look at Democratic lawmakers in the House and Senate proposing a nine-bill package of ethics legislation that they want the General Assembly to take up during the veto session later this year. They also break down Gov. Pritzker announcing new emergency rules for businesses to enforce rules requiring face coverings and limiting crowd sizes or they could face fines of up to $2,500 if they fail to do so.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they break down Gov. JB Pritzker traveling across the state to sound the alarm on the resurgence of COVID-19 cases including launching a $5 million mask awareness campaign.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they break down Gov. JB Pritzker announcing the state will be "restricting youth and adult recreational organized sports," including changes to high school based sports. They also discuss members of the Illinois General Assembly calling for Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan to resign in the wake of the alleged bribery scheme by ComEd.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they dive into federal prosecutors in Chicago charging utility giant Commonweath Edison with bribery. They allege that the utility awarded jobs and contracts to associates of a top state official, that was identified as Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, “with intent to influence and reward” the official.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode they breakdown Gov. Pritzker's announcement that Illinois will be divided into 11 regions rather than the four in the original Restore Illinois plan so that mitigation efforts can be focused on areas where the virus is spreading the fastest.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates from the Illinois Statehouse and Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode they dive into Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan calling for the removal of statues and portraits of the 19th century U.S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas from the Statehouse, they discuss Kristin Richards, the current Chief of Staff to the Senate President, being named the new director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security and lastly they dive into the Vote No on the Progressive Tax Coalition an organization representing small businesses and farmers that added their voices to the fight to defeat Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to bring a progressive income tax to the state.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode they breakdown the guidelines announced by Gov. JB Pritzker for schools resuming operations in the fall, particularly K-12 schools, where the emphasis will be on once again bringing students into the same space as their teachers, but schools are being advised to prepare for a return to remote learning if there are signs COVID-19 is again surging in the state.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this week's episode they breakdown the latest announcement that the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair have been canceled for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and what that means economically for the communities that host the events. They also look at the hotel industry’s push for larger gatherings in the next phase of reopening as well as news that the Bank of Springfield Center employee who was thought to have COVID-19 during the special session of the Illinois House of Representatives actually tested negative for the virus.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they talk about Gov. Pritzker signing the $43B Illinois budget which includes borrowing $5 billion from from a federal reserve program designed to help states during the pandemic and Pritzker calls for police accountability, more community investment at a roundtable in Springfield while visiting young organizers of Black Lives Matter protests.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they they talk about Gov. JB Pritzker's response to the protests throughout the state in response to the death of George Floyd by law enforcement and they also try break down what the Illinois General Assembly managed to pass in the budget while they were in session during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they talk about how Gov. JB Pritzker and his Chicago office staff will be working from home after a senior staff member in the governor’s office tested positive for COVID-19 and they also break down what it means economically for Springfield after the governor announced that it was 'highly unlikely' that the Illinois State Fair would happen this year.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they breakdown Gov. JB Pritzker's five-phase regional plan to reopen the state for business, education and recreational activities.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome Podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they the dive into the ruling from Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney issuing a temporary injunction allowing Illinois State Rep. Darren Bailey, and only Bailey, to ignore the governor’s stay-at-home order and Gov. Pritzker's response to the ruling. The also take a look at the Workers' Compensation Commission repealing the emergency COVID-19 rule after a Sangamon County judge granted a temporary restraining order against the new rule that would have made benefits available to essential employees who contracted COVID-19 without having to prove the illness was contracted at the workplace.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they discuss Gov. JB Pritzker considering a regional approach to reopening the state during the pandemic while weighing factors like hospital capacity in the area and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon sends a letter to Illinois' Congressional Delegation requesting $41 billion to help the state recover from the damage done to Illinois' economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they take a look at Gov. Pritzker's announcement that the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission has approved new rules that will provide automatic workers’ compensation benefits to some essential workers, House minority leader Jim Durkin spoke on behalf of lawmakers receiving daily constituent calls about difficulties applying for unemployment benefits and lastly Comptroller Susana Mendoza issued a list of what the state has been spending on the COVID-19 pandemic that currently totals $174 million.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they dive into Gov. Pritzker's announcement that the state has acquired the former Vibra Hospital for an alternative COVID-19 care facility, Pritzker scoffs at the suggestion that the best way to fight the virus is to let people contract it and build up a herd immunity and lastly they jump into what the legislature might be able to accomplish and when they might actually come back in for session.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they dive into Gov. Pritzker extending the stay at home order to the end of April, he acknowledges his budget proposal is out the window at this point and the projected spending plan will need revisions, what will legislators focus on when they are able to come back to the Statehouse including the budget and ethics reforms, a US bankruptcy judge rules against Bill Brady and his brothers and lastly how is the COVID-19 pandemic going to effect the Census in 2020.<!--
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On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This week they dive in to the latest numbers for Illinois cases of COVID-19, Gov. Prtizker's announcement that the state is extending the income tax filing and payment deadline and a new package of emergency assistance programs to benefit small businesses in need, totaling more than $90 million.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke work remotely to bring you the latest updates on Illinois' response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They dive into how Gov. Pritzker and the state have responded to the crisis as well as how this is effecting the operations of state government and what this means fiscally for the state's budget with the possible losses in sales tax revenue. Lastly, they dive into the results from the Illinois Primary Election, which at this point feels like it was a year ago.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke discuss the ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus across Illinois; Rep. Tim Butler and Rep. Avery Bourne are calling for an outside audit and suspension of the state’s automatic voter registration program, following another system glitch; four Illinois sheriffs have filed suit in federal court to overturn the state’s Trust Act they believe interferes with law enforcement’s ability to deal with undocumented immigrants.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke discuss the upcoming Illinois primary in the wake of Super Tuesday, the Illinois House GOP believes efforts to enact property tax relief have stalled in the General Assembly, how Illinois and Gov. Pritzker are responding to the novel coronavirus with public health officials in Illinois reporting that a fifth person in the state has been infected and lastly the Illinois Municipal League voices their concerns over Gov. Pritzker's plan to hold 5% of income tax revenues for local governments in reserve in case the graduated income tax isn't approved by voters in November.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke discuss the results of an early poll showing which candidate is leading going into the Illinois primary, Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich skips a hearing dealing with his law license and what that means for his future practicing law, Illinois Sheriffs go the Statehouse to make their case about a new policy that they say "aids and abets" undocumented immigrants.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke get into Gov. JB Pritzker's budget address including a large portion of spending increases that could be reduced or outright disappear if voters don’t approve the graduated income tax proposal in November. They also touch on President Trump commuting the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke discuss what to expect from Gov. JB Pritzker's upcoming budget address, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is scheduled to meet with Illinois House Republicans in regards to the tax structure for a Chicago casino, Illinois lawmakers push for a "Fair Maps" redistricting amendment, how the field for the primary election for the democratic presidential nominee is shaping up in Illinois and Illinois Supreme Court Justice and former Chicago Bears kicker Robert R. Thomas announces his retirement.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg is solo as Doug Finke has the day off, so he breaks down the week that was in Illinois politics starting with Gov. JB Pritzker making the case that Illinois should take the spot as the nation's first primary election in the wake of vote-counting debacle around the Iowa caucuses. He also dives into the current legislative session with hearings being held on the problems with the automatic voter registration system and the announcement that the state logged $39.2 million of adult-use recreational marijuana sales in January.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the programming error the occurred in the Secretary of State’s office that inadvertently led to more than 500 possible non-U.S. citizens being registered to vote, Senator Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, was elected as the 39th president of the Illinois Senate on Sunday after hours of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Gov. JB Pritzker to sign bill capping insulin costs and his upcoming State of the State address.
On this week’s episode of the Under the Dome podcast the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the resignation of Illinois Director of Agriculture John Sullivan after it was revealed he had received the controversial 2012 email from former top lobbyist Mike McClain, who are the front runners going into Sunday's election for a new Illinois Senate President and why former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and former Republican member of Congress, says he will "absolutely not" vote for President Donald Trump in 2020.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss lawmakers from both parties calling for an investigation of a 2012 email exchange between a government insider and then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s staff regarding a possible cover-up of rape and other criminal activity, the draft report prepared by the property tax relief task force formed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, how the rollout for the sale of legal marijuana went in Illinois and where the current race for Senate President stands going into a vote on January 19th.
On the final episode of Under the Dome for 2019 the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discus Gov. J.B. Pritzker signing the bill consolidating downstate police and fire pensions, the new laws, taxes and fees that are coming on to the books in 2020, the Food-A-Rama at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is getting a facelift and a new name thanks to a big donation and the results from the initial report on the structural integrity of the Capitol's dome are in.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss ethics at the Statehouse as House Republicans called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call a special session to address the issue, State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, and Senate GOP Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington clash over ethics appointment, details on the new Illinois parking excise tax set to start Jan. 1st and how it involves parking around the Illinois State Fair and the display from The Satanic Temple returns to Capitol rotunda.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss Illinois Senate President John Cullerton’s announcement that he plans to retire in January after almost four decades in the General Assembly and who is in the running to be the next Senate President, a ComEd lobbyist lined up contracts for disgraced ex-aide to Madigan and why authorities are interested, Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education react quickly to take emergency action to end the the use of “isolated timeout” rooms in schools.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the veto session ending with bills passing involving the consolidation of downstate police and fire pension funds, capping of out-of-pocket expenses for insulin and ethics reform in lobbying issues.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the appeals court decision that says former state worker Mark Janus is not entitled to a refund of fair share fees he paid to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, next phase of road improvements have begun on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Illinois Sate Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, to introduce a bill to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier announces he will retire next year and what’s coming up in the next round of the veto session.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the fallout from Illinois State Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, being arrested on a federal public corruption charge that he sought to bribe another state lawmaker, legislation introduced for Gov. Pritzker’s plan to pool police and fire pensions, status of the bill to ban flavored vaping products during the veto session and the Illinois House passes a bill that would allow college athletes to be compensated for their names and likenesses.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state road officials unveiling the details of a $23.5 billion road plan that is being fueled with higher gasoline taxes and various vehicle fees approved by lawmakers last spring, the state’s bill backlog will soar to $19 billion in five years if additional tax revenue isn’t found according to an annual report from the governor’s office and what could be coming in the upcoming veto session.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the continuing fallout from the federal investigation of Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval for possible bribery and fraud involving state construction, UIS Poll says 92% approval for mental health background checks for gun sales, report says funding revamp has helped Illinois’ poor school districts and Gov. Pritzker releases his tax returns.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to consolidate around 650 local pension funds for suburban and downstate police and firefighters, the poll by NPR Illinois and the University of Illinois Springfield showing that 67 percent of registered voters in the state favor moving to a graduated state income tax and Republican U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois denouncing President Donald Trump’s decision to remove U.S. troops in Syria.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker demanding Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval step down as chairman of the Transportation Committee while he is under federal investigation for possible bribery and fraud involving state construction work, Legislative Inspector General releases reports on Kevin Quinn and Tim Mapes, Illinois releases social equity map to identify areas harmed by the war on drugs, will college athletes get endorsement deals in Illinois and the Illinois GOP members of the U.S. House and the impeachment of President Trump.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss why FBI agents raided the offices of Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, Alan Lowe fired as director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the move towards banning flavored e-cigarettes in Illinois.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss the Illinois State Fair breaking its all-time record for revenue raised in this year and what that means for the success of the fair, the Illinois Department of Revenue tax amnesty program that begins Oct. 1st, Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, sponsoring a bill to cap the out of pocket expenses for insulin to $100 a month and the details of the state’s Office of Executive Inspector General report dealing Springfield lawyer Don Tracy and the Illinois Gaming Board.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke returns to the podcast with Bernard Schoenburg to discuss Gov. J.B. Pritzker joining a dozen Democratic governors signing a letter urging President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to embrace “sensible” gun control legislation, Justice Anne Burke named the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court and why that’s an issue in Illinois, former Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joins the private sector and why Illinois was voted the "sexiest state."
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Bernard Schoenburg is joined by Brenden Moore as he fills in for Doug Finke this week to talk about the details of legalized use of marijuana in they city of Springfield, the state of gambling in city, DNR set to make new hires and how the graduated income tax may play in the upcoming election.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome the State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg break down Gov. Pritzker’s broken leg and the scope of what has happened this year with nearly 600 bills signed including recent bills dealing with small pharmacy protections and outlawing smoking in cars with children. They also dive into the state’s Department of Central Management Services announcement that they will issue a request for proposals seeking “an array of technical and project management expertise” to sell the state’s Helmut Jahn-designed James R. Thompson Center.
On this week’s episode of Under the Dome, The State Journal-Register’s Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg break down the Madigan report about sexual harassment complaints connected to the speaker; the controversy around photos from a fundraising event for Illinois State Sen. Martin Sandoval; Vistra Energy closing coal burning power plants in Canton, Havana, Hennepin and Coffeen; and Gov. Pritzker signs legislation raising the minimum salary for teachers in Illinois to $40,000.
On this week's episode of Under The Dome the State Journal-Register's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg breakdown a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Whip Steve Scalise as the Democrats and Republicans host their political days at the Illinois State Fair.
On this week's episode the State Journal-Register's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg discuss back pay for Illinois state employees, the possibility that President Trump would commute disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence, the investigation of Illinois State Sen. Tom Cullerton and the upcoming political days at the Illinois State Fair.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, Bernie and Doug cover former meteorologist Joe Crain's new job at the state, both political parties getting in trouble over insensitive/racist Facebook posts, dirty tricks by Rodney Davis' side in the 13th Congressional District race, and more questions about allies of House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Before a few days ago, there's a good chance you've never heard about the band Confederate Railroad. That all changed when the Pritzker administration canceled the band's show at the Du Quoin State Fair because the group has the word "Confederate" in its name. We talk about that on this week's episode of Under the Dome.
On this week's episode of the Under the Dome Podcast, the SJ-R's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about the new laws being signed this week, including the legalization of marijuana, sports gambling and Tobacco 21.
The Illinois legislature has gone home for the summer, but the state government news continues in Springfield. Today, the SJ-R's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg talk about Gov. J.B. Pritzker signing the Reproductive Health Act, details of the state's proposed contract deal with state workers represented by AFSCME and more.
The spring 2019 session of the Illinois General Assembly is in the books, and some people are calling it "historic." Lawmakers accomplished a great deal, and The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke review it all on this week's special post-session wrap-up episode of Under the Dome.
The Illinois General Assembly plans to work through the Memorial Day weekend in an attempt to address several big issues, including a graduated income tax and a capital plan. The SJ-R's Doug Finke and Bernard Schoenburg talk about it on this week's episode of Under the Dome.
We're down to the final two weeks of the spring legislative session for the Illinois General Assembly. And there's a big to-do list -- a state budget, marijuana legalization, sports betting, a capital spending bill and more. Will it all happen? The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about it.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, State Journal-Register political writer Bernard Schoenburg talks with SJ-R health reporter Dean Olsen about Dean's recent trip to Boulder, Colorado, to see how the legal marijuana industry works there. Dean will have a three-part series about his trip starting Sunday in The State Journal-Register. Also, Schoenburg talks with SJ-R Statehouse reporter Doug Finke about the ongoing effort to approve a graduated income tax in Illinois.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, powered by The State Journal-Register, we preview the post-spring break return of Illinois lawmakers to Springfield as they rush to squeeze in as much lawmaking as they can prior to their scheduled May 31 adjournment. Sports gambling, recreational marijuana and a new state budget are all on the agenda.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, powered by The State Journal-Register, Bernard Schoenburg and Angie Muhs talk about the ongoing debate over whether Illinois should switch to a graduated income tax, Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot's visit to the Capitol this week and what could be a rematch between U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis and Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan for a seat in the U.S. House.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, SJ-R reporters Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke talk about efforts to get a discussion about legalized sports gambling kick-started at the Statehouse, a big anti-abortion rally that happened this week at the Capitol, the ongoing talks over legalizing marijuana and a new set of advertisements coming out that seek to influence you about the graduated income tax.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss the Illinois legislature approving a bill to raise the tobacco purchasing age from 18 to 21. Plus, we talk about a report showing that more Illinoisans are choosing to go to college outside of Illinois.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker this week introduced his graduated income tax plan, which would discard the state's flat income tax and replace it with different tax rates that depend on how much money you make. Angie, Doug and Bernie explore the financial and political ramifications.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss ongoing debate over Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desire for a progressive income tax in Illinois. Also, ratings agencies are weighing in on the state's budget situation. And, for the reason some of you have clicked on the Under the Dome Podcast for the first time ever today, we talk about adult film star Stormy Daniels' planned trip to Springfield later this month, which includes a stop at the Statehouse, where she plans to address a tax on strip clubs.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss Gov. Pritzker's $39 billion budget plan and where spending will be increased and how they plan to pay for it and his plan to tackle the mounting pension problem.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss this week's approval of the minimum wage increase in the Illinois House and the upcoming budget address from Gov. Pritzker.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we discuss this week's approval of a minimum wage increase in the Illinois Senate, calls to raise the minimum salary for an Illinois teacher and the ongoing push to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.
On this week's episode of the Under the Dome Podcast, we discuss the prompt move toward increasing the minimum wage in Illinois to $15 a hour. Plus, state Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, wants the state to put $50 million toward a new Southern Illinois University campus in downtown Springfield. We also discuss the attention being given to House Speaker Michael Madigan's voice showing up in an FBI investigation.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we take a look at next week's start to the Illinois General Assembly's spring legislative session, which will feature a House and Senate with a more Democratic tilt working with a new Democratic governor. What will they accomplish? We also talk about Gov. J.B. Pritzker's busy week of signing executive orders and his choice for a new Illinois State Police director.
On this week's episode of the Under the Dome podcast, we review the festivities surrounding the inauguration of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, including an appearance by Maroon 5, led by Adam Levine (pictured), the mystery headliner who played at the big inauguration party. We also talk about Pritzker's first week on the job, which included signing a gun-control bill and giving step raises to state employees.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we look at an early legislative win for J.B. Pritzker, even before he assumes the governor's office. We also look ahead at the various events happening for Pritzker's inauguration on Monday, Jan. 14.
On this week's Under the Dome Podcast, we discuss the upcoming inaugurations of a Democrat-controlled Illinois General Assembly and Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker.
The Under the Dome Podcast crew checks in one last time in 2018 to talk about recent Illinois Statehouse news, including Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker's newly named staff, the state continuing to lose population and Attorney General Lisa Madigan issuing a preliminary report about sex abuse cases involving Catholic priests. Our staff members also reveal their state government story of the year.
On this week's episode of the Under the Dome podcast, Angie, Bernie and Doug discuss the revelation that Gov. Bruce Rauner actually tried to drop out of the governor's race between the primary and general elections. They also talk about the governor's ongoing battle with AFSCME and Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker's trip to D.C. to visit President Trump and his plans for inauguration day.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we talk about the Satanic display that has been installed in the Capitol rotunda and the national attention that has gone along with it. Also, it's been 10 years since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested. We remember.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, we review the final three days of the Illinois General Assembly's veto session, which culminated with Gov. Bruce Rauner making a public appearance in Springfield for the first time since his election loss to say he fears for Illinois' future under the incoming J.B. Pritzker administration. We also talk about a state representative apologizing for comments she made on the House floor that seemed to threaten another lawmaker.
The first week of the Illinois General Assembly's veto session is in the books. We take a look at what happened, including lawmakers holding a hearing about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Foundation and a hat they bought that may or may not have actually belonged to Lincoln. We also talk about the reaction to newly re-elected state Comptroller Susana Mendoza announcing eight days after the election that she will run for Chicago mayor.
The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg, Doug Finke and Angie Muhs break down Tuesday's Election Day results, including the Democratic sweep of statewide offices and Republican sweep of our two local U.S. House seats.
We're almost to Election Day. The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg and Doug Finke round up how the candidates are winding down their campaigns.
This week, Bernie Schoenburg and Doug Finke take a look at some interesting political ads in the gubernatorial race. Also, as Election Day nears, they talk about some interesting developments in the gubernatorial race and in the race for state attorney general.
On this week's episode of Under the Dome, Bernard Schoenburg, Doug Finke and Angie Muhs talk about the latest debate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker. They also give an update on the hotly contested U.S. House race between incumbent Republican Rodney Davis and Democratic challenger Betsy Londrigan.
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:
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The departure of Nick Sauer from the Illinois House after allegations from an ex-girlfriend.
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State workers finally getting some back pay.
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Gov. Rauner signing an "offshoring" bill.
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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.
We're one day removed from the U.S. Supreme Court's big Janus vs. AFSCME decision that will have far-reaching consequences for unions in Illinois and beyond. Bernie, Doug and Angie break down the ruling. They also mention Sam McCann filing for governor as a third-party candidate and Joe Biden planning a trip to Springfield.