# pritzker (audio feeds) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 2 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover pritzker. Page: Feed: --- ## [Weekend Edition | Illinois taxpayers provide nearly $190 million for state fair](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-08-15 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – The Illinois State Fair is expected to generate about $100 million of economic impact after taxpayers invested nearly $190 million for infrastructure and programming. The fair is set to run from Thursday morning until Sunday, August 23 at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said both the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair are important to the… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/2c8876f6-499d-411c-b8a7-39a3d1afb891/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=2c8876f6-499d-411c-b8a7-39a3d1afb891&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [State Fair kicks off campaign season](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/state-fair-kicks-off-campaign) _2026-08-14 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ The Illinois State Fair got underway this week, marking the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 general election campaign. The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down what to expect during political events that coincide with the fair. Plus, an update on CNI's pursuit of public records from the Department of Children and Family Services, Illinois' response to the Trump administration's change in… [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2381862786-user-592090129-621623053-state-fair-kicks-off-campaign.mp3) ## [Interview with House Speaker Welch](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/interview-with-house-speaker) _2026-08-07 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ CNI Reporter Ben Szalinski talks one-on-one with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch about criticism he has received over his handling of sexual harassment complaints against former Rep. Harry Benton. [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2377471892-user-592090129-621623053-interview-with-house-speaker.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Investigating Committee Waits on U.S. Attorney Before Ammons Fact-Finding Starts](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-08-07 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – An Illinois House of Representatives committee decided it will move forward with an investigation into a number of complaints against a central Illinois lawmaker, but only after the special committee receives input from the U.S. Attorney's Office that brought charges against her. The first hearing of the Special Investigating Committee held at the State Capitol Thursday was… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/4b530e4b-2de5-4e92-ad9d-e3a734298101/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=4b530e4b-2de5-4e92-ad9d-e3a734298101&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [School funding crisis, Welch under pressure](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/school-funding-crisis-welch) _2026-07-31 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch vows to push for additional school funding during the fall veto session as Chicago Public Schools prepares for layoffs. Welch is also coming under pressure over his handling of the Harry Benton sexual harassment scandal as Rep. Fred Crespo calls for him to step down. Plus, Gov. JB Pritzker signs a statewide cellphone ban for public schools and the State Board of… [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2372629301-user-592090129-621623053-school-funding-crisis-welch.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Dems, GOP Demand Ethics Reform from Welch](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-07-31 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, issued a statement calling for legislation he introduced to bring further ethics reform to Springfield following the unanimous vote by the Legislative Ethics Commission to release an investigation report into former Rep. Harry Benton, who was accused of sexual harassment. Rashid’s House Bill 3562 would bring the Legislative… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/53803b9a-930a-43d7-b3a2-125981a876f5/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=53803b9a-930a-43d7-b3a2-125981a876f5&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Weekend Edition | Speaker Welch's Response to Staffer Assault Complaint Draws Questions on His Own Conduct](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-07-25 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – After reporting about a now-resigned state representative and allegations that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch may have mishandled allegations against the lawmaker, new questions are being raised about the speaker’s own behavior, particularly toward women on staff. The Chicago Tribune reported details last week from an unnamed former staffer of former Rep. Harry… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/124ae907-fa00-426b-9082-4c8ed47b6d24/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=124ae907-fa00-426b-9082-4c8ed47b6d24&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [GOP calls for transparency; Noncitizen voting explained](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/gop-calls-for-transparency) _2026-07-24 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ GOP calls for transparency; Noncitizen voting explained by Capitol News Illinois [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2367421919-user-592090129-621623053-gop-calls-for-transparency.mp3) ## [Campaign reports suggest lopsided races ahead](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/campaign-reports-suggest) _2026-07-17 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ Races at the top of the Illinois ballot this year do not appear competitive, according to the latest campaign finance reports. Peter Hancock, Brenden Moore and Jerry Nowicki discuss that and other top stories of the week. [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2363123927-user-592090129-621623053-campaign-reports-suggest.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Ammons pleads not guilty, wants to delay House investigation](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-07-17 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) — Illinois State Rep. Carrol Ammons, federally indicted on multiple charges of wire fraud, pleaded not guilty in her first court appearance Thursday morning. With the courtroom gallery at its maximum capacity of 49 people, roughly 30 people, consisting of members of the public — along with friends, family and supporters of the representative — were sent to watch the hearing in… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/57c0f15b-f42e-46ac-8ca4-02bd4c2497fb/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=57c0f15b-f42e-46ac-8ca4-02bd4c2497fb&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Browse ThreatCrush Modules (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/umHzFQDM6tCS) _2026-07-17 · **Sponsored**_ Install community-built security modules to extend real-time threat intelligence and monitoring ## [Weekend Edition | Illinois Lawmaker, Husband Indicted Over Alleged Kickback Scheme](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-07-11 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – An Illinois state representative faces multiple counts of wire fraud and providing a false statement, according to a federal indictment released Tuesday night. State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, was charged with eight counts of wire fraud surrounding an alleged kickback scheme involving campaign contributions. She was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice. Her… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/480c4f7f-6b11-4c8c-80fd-d78f7dea3b04/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=480c4f7f-6b11-4c8c-80fd-d78f7dea3b04&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Scandals roil Illinois House](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/scandals-roil-illinois-house) _2026-07-10 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ One Democratic member of the House has been forced to resign and another has come under federal indictment. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court upholds Illinois' assault weapon ban; the Trump administration threatens to prosecute state election officials; and a CNI analysis shows inequities remain in Illinois' school finance system. Peter Hancock, Hannah Meisel, Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki… [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2358330755-user-592090129-621623053-scandals-roil-illinois-house.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Illinois politicians claim cautious win in birthright citizenship ruling](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-07-03 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 against an executive order by President Donald Trump Tuesday, which sought to ban birthright citizenship nationwide. A number of political heavyweights in Illinois have weighed in on the judgement. The court heard arguments and ultimately struck down the president’s February 2025 order stripping birthright citizenship protections from children… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/d9ddf244-e094-4edc-ae6f-4178b0e0914e/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=d9ddf244-e094-4edc-ae6f-4178b0e0914e&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Interview with Early Childhood Secretary Teresa Ramos](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/interview-with-early-childhood) _2026-07-02 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ July 1 marked the start of a new fiscal year, and the full launch of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Teresa Ramos, secretary of the new agency, talks about the work leading up to the launch and how the new agency will serve Illinois families. [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2352029609-user-592090129-621623053-interview-with-early-childhood.mp3) ## [State-sponsored gambling addiction](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/state-sponsored-gambling) _2026-06-26 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ Maggie Daugherty discusses a story she cowrote with the Illinois Answers Project that explores the impact that legalized gambling has on people who suffer from gambling addiction. Brenden Moore discusses new consumer protection laws aimed at controlling junk fees and ticket scalping. And Ben Szalinski gives an update on other new laws taking effect at the start of the new state fiscal year on July… [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2348390144-user-592090129-621623053-state-sponsored-gambling.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Pritzker Defends Plan to Raise Tolls](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-06-26 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says higher proposed Illinois Tollway rates are for many users that travel to and from other states. Illinois Tollway officials are proposing a toll increase of about 45 cents per toll for IPASS users and a 30% rate hike for commercial IPASS users. At a ribbon cutting for building solutions company Amrize in Chicago on Tuesday, a reporter from The Center… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/79c61a27-5716-463c-a1aa-5581e13b9dba/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=79c61a27-5716-463c-a1aa-5581e13b9dba&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Weekend Edition | Pritzker signs budget sending millions to NGOs](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-06-20 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a $55.9 billion state budget for fiscal year 2027, with tens of millions of dollars included for non-governmental organizations. The governor placed his signature on the new spending plan in Chicago on Tuesday, calling it his eighth straight balanced budget. “This budget lowers costs for everyday Illinoisans and protects our state’s fiscal health and continues… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/41eedee9-6f29-4495-83ab-b2d435be3f33/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=41eedee9-6f29-4495-83ab-b2d435be3f33&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Pritzker signs budget bill](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/pritzker-signs-budget-bill) _2026-06-18 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ Gov. JB Pritzker signed the $55.9 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year, along with a revenue package to help pay for it. Meanwhile, lawmakers failed to take action regulating data centers in Illinois, but controversy over those developments is now going away. And a federal lawsuit seeks to block the state's Medical Aid in Dying law from going into effect in September. Ben Szalinski,… [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2342076485-user-592090129-621623053-pritzker-signs-budget-bill.mp3) ## [Weekend Edition | Pritzker: 'We’re not raising people’s taxes' for stadium](https://www.americastalking.com/) _2026-06-12 · gbishop@thecentersquare.com (The Center Square) · Illinois in Focus_ (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there could be a special legislative session in Illinois this summer, but he won’t raise people’s taxes to pay for a new Chicago Bears stadium. Pritzker spoke in Chicago on Tuesday afternoon and said there could be a special session if the General Assembly can get together on one piece of Bears legislation. “The first priority for me is we're not… [Listen](https://afp-444292-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487/episodes/3db1e3f0-f654-40cb-a4ba-f59aef4d1046/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=dac9a265-38f6-4bb5-a9fb-68450aca4487&awEpisodeId=3db1e3f0-f654-40cb-a4ba-f59aef4d1046&feed=wJJUdEf6) ## [Brisk AI News Briefings (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/sW8TDOcOehJd) _2026-06-12 · **Sponsored**_ Read AI summaries and listen to audio briefings for top stories. ## [End of session roundup](https://soundcloud.com/user-592090129-621623053/end-of-session-roundup) _2026-06-04 · Capitol Cast: Illinois_ The spring 2026 legislative session with lawmakers agreeing to deals on a budget and revenue package, but not a deal for the Chicago Bears. Peter Hancock Ben Szalinski and Jerry Nowicki analyze the highlights of the final few days. [Listen](https://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/2333501300-user-592090129-621623053-end-of-session-roundup.mp3)