Dave McKinney

Tim Mapes, who was Chief of Staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, faces several years in prison. Listen to our panel discussion.

The state's highest court handed down a decision Friday that keeps the state's ban on the sale of assault weapons and large capacity magazines in place. But a federal challenge remains. Also, the trial for the one-time Chief of Staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan began this week.

Fidel Marquez is a former Commonwealth Edison executive turned government informant. His testimony dominated the federal trial of four other former ComEd officials during the week.

Gov. JB Pritzker delivered a combined State of the State/Budget Address this week that focused heavily on increased funding for education and social services. The nearly $50 billion spending plan brought criticism from Republicans. They raised concerns about costs of new programs, like an expansion of child care services and making preschool available to all kids over the next four years. Still, with Democrats holding supermajorities in the General Assembly, Pritzker is likely to get his way this spring.

After Gov. JB Pritzker signed a prohibition on the sale of assault style guns and large capacity magazines, numerous sheriffs publicly stated they view the new law as unconstitutional and they don't plan to enforce it. Our State Week panel discusses the situation.

There is speculation Illinois' governor is mulling a White House bid in 2024. Our panel weighs in.

WBEZ Political Reporter Dave McKinney breaks down the race for Illinois Governor

GOP rivals echo the political strategy Pritzker used to unseat Bruce Rauner in 2018, but some say COVID-19 and Legionnaires outbreaks are not equal.

Fundraising leader Richard Irvin faces blow after blow from rivals but brushes it all off, saying, ‘I’m hurting their political aspirations.’