Bob Meyer

This week, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed off on marijuana, infrastructure, and gambling.

Comedian Ray Romano quips that “having children is like living in a frat house - nobody sleeps, everything's broken, and there's a lot of throwing up.”

Kids can create chaos, without a doubt, but sometimes in the very midst of that whirlwind, parents bring peace.

A young mom was sharing with me that her little one had some stomach bug that was going around.  The result was that “throwing up” that Romano mentions.  

The Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series is a presentation of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the Springfield Campus of the University of Illinois and WUIS Public Radio, calling on scholars and policy experts to talk about issues that engaged Abraham Lincoln and the citizens of his era, and issues that are still timely today.

The subject of this, the 13th Annual Lectures, is “Lincoln and Voting Rights” - with  historical background marking the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

A preview of this weekend's Illinois Symphony Orchestra concert -  "Sensational Strings" - featuring music by Mozart, Kernis, and Dvorak.  Yona Stamatis talks with ISO Music Director and conductor Alastair Willis.
 

Sensational Strings - Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra
Friday, January 22, 7:30 PM, First Presbyterian Church, Springfield.
Saturday, January 23, 7:30 PM, Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington.

Yona Stamatis talks with Alastair Willis, Dale Rogers, and Ralph Shank about the Illinois Symphony Orchestra's "Lincoln Train" concerts this weekend at Sangamon Auditorium and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

Arguments before the Illinois Supreme Court on the state's pension reform law.

This week, continuing debate among lawmakers over how to fix the state's budget woes, a Senate plan to sweep special funds into the general revenue fund for FY2015, and Governor Rauner continues to push for "right to work zones".

This week, continuing concerns over the state's budget, Governor Rauner holds his first cabinet meeting, and Rahm Emanuel faces a run-off election in his bid to remain Mayor of Chicago.

A preview of WUIS' broadcasts of Illinois Symphony Orchestra performances from last season, beginning this Saturday night at 7pm.  Hosted by Yona Stamatis.

Broadcasts are 7:00-9:00pm Saturday nights:

2/21/2015:
Illinois Symphony Orchestra: "Holidays in the Heartland"

2/28/2015:
Illinois Symphony Orchestra: "Centennial Celebration"

03/07/2105:
The Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra - "Britain's Beauty"

03/14/2015:
Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra - "Magical Masters"

This week, discussion of Governor Bruce Rauner's state budget plan.

This week, Governor Rauner's efforts toward allowing government workers to stop paying union dues and toward revising the state's criminal justice policies.

Listen to the WUIS broadcast of the 12th Annual Lincoln Legacy Lectures, recorded at UIS Brookens Auditorium in October - a presentation of the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership.  Hosted by Barbara Ferrara.

The UIS Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series calls on scholars and policy experts to talk about issues that engaged Abraham Lincoln and the citizens of his era, and issues that are still timely today.

This week, discussion of Governor Bruce Rauner's first State of the State address.

Discussion of the new Bruce Rauner administration's latest actions - just a few days before Governor Rauner's first State of the State Address.

This week, Governor Bruce Rauner gave a glimpse of what he may say during his State of the State Address.  Also, questions about Rauner's claims that he's putting his personal investments in a "blind Trust".

A discussion of the first days of the Rauner Administration.

This week, discussion of the special session of the General Assembly, Bruce Rauner's preparations to assume the Governor's office and Pat Quinn's thoughts on the end of his own administration, and more news about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

This week, Daily Herald political editor Mike Riopell joins the regular panel to look back at some of the top stories in state government and political for 2014, and what's ahead in the new year.

This week, we take a historical look back at the 1964 "Bedsheet Ballot".  That year, due to a disagreement over Illinois redistricting, every candidate ran state-wide on a ballot that was over three feet long.  The effects of that election and the way it was conducted strongly influenced the future course of state politics, the state constitution, and more.

A note that this week's State Week in Review was recorded before Governor Pat Quinn's announcement that he is appointing his budget chief, Jerry Stermer, to fill the office of state Comptroller.  Stermer will serve until Governor-elect Bruce Rauner takes office on Jan. 12, at which time the new governor will announce a full four-year replacement.

This week, a look back at the long political career of state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, who died this week following a stroke.

The two-year session of the 98th General Assembly comes to a close.

This week, further discussion of the circuit court ruling on the unconstitutionality of Illinois' pension legislation, as well as more on the fall veto session.

The Sangamon County Circuit Court rules last year’s pension legislation unconstitutional.  Bruce Rauner is busy making preparations to move into the Governor’s Mansion.  And Frerichs beats Cross in a very close Treasurer’s race.

A look ahead at the upcoming Veto Session, the aftermath of the results in the Governor's race, and the race for Treasurer is still too close to call.

This week, a recap of the results of the Mid-Term Elections.

Education funding was among the disagreements between gubernatorial candidates Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner in a debate this week in Chicago.  Meanwhile, spending on political ads continues to increase.