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 13 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 1 day, 8 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 1 week, 6 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 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 3 weeks, 6 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 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, 1 week 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, 2 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, 3 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