Podcast Episodes

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.

Published on 3 days, 14 hours ago

State Week: The year in review

Episode 1

On this episode, we look back on the stories that made news over the past year in state government and politics.

Published on 4 days, 9 hours ago

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.

Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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 violated legal recourse.

Published on 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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 medical and scientific disease prevention experts — an…

Published on 4 weeks, 2 days ago

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.

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

State Week: Operation Midway Blitz appears to be winding down, for now

The immigration enforcement campaign in the Chicago area has gotten quieter, but not silent.

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

State Week: Durbin's vote rankles many Democrats

The retiring senator was among a handful of Democratic lawmakers to help Republicans reopen the federal government after the longest-ever shutdown.

Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago

State Week: Left on the table

State lawmakers passed some key legislation during their fall session, but several other measures failed to get through or were never called for a vote.

Published on 1 month, 4 weeks ago

State Week: A flurry of legislation

Episode 44

Lawmakers stayed busy until the end of the fall session, passing several key pieces of legislation.

Published on 2 months ago