Name: Sonya Massey Latest | Capitol Cast: August 2, 2024 by Capitol News Illinois
Duration: 19 min 48 s
Description: In the weeks following the death of Sonya Massey, many are still questioning how it happened. In this episode of Capitol Cast, we'll hear from CNI's Beth Hundsdorfer and Andrew Adams about the latest news, events and information uncovered during the ongoing investigation into now-former deputy Sean Grayson - who is accused of killing Massey.

In the weeks following the death of Sonya Massey, many are still questioning how it happened. In this episode of Capitol Cast, we'll hear from CNI's Beth Hundsdorfer and Andrew Adams about the latest news, events and information uncovered during the ongoing investigation into now-former deputy Sean Grayson - who is accused of killing Massey.

Sonya Massey Latest | Capitol Cast: August 2, 2024

One-on-one with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visit to Springfield this week put a spotlight on the Trump administration's immigration policy while also sparking protests from immigrant rights advocates. Peter Hancock, Ben Szalinski and Jade Aubrey discuss the event and what may be at stake for Illinois' own policies regarding immigrants.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Illinois

May 19 will mark the 150th anniversary of Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of the slain president, being declared legally insane and committed to an asylum outside Chicago. Historian Jason Emerson discusses his new book, "The Dark Days of Abraham Lincoln's Widow, As Revealed by Her Own Letters," published by Southern Illinois University Press. 

A new perspective on Mary Todd Lincoln

As the final week of the legislative session approaches, Illinois lawmakers face a daunting task of balancing a budget for the upcoming fiscal year in the face of slow revenue growth and increased demands for state services. The budget picture became even more complicated this week when the U.S. House passed a budget reconciliation bill - what President Trump calls the "big, beautiful bill" - that would slash federal spending for Medicaid and a host of other programs. Peter Hancock, Jerry Nowicki and Ben Szalinski break down the budget picture and look ahead to other issues lawmakers will try to tackle next week.

Sprint to the finish line

Illinois lawmakers closed out the 2025 spring session by passing a $55.2 billion budget and a revenue package to help pay for it. But the session was marked as much by what didn't get through the process as what did. The Capitol News Illinois team breaks down the major issues that were confronted in the final days of the session.

Session recap

Protesters took to the streets in Chicago and other major cities this week as the Trump administration stepped up its efforts to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker went to Capitol Hill to defend the state's policies on immigration. Peter Hancock talks with Fred Tsao, of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, about the protests and CNI's Ben Szalinski about the congressional hearings on immigration.

Immigration roundup

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a $55.1 billion budget bill into law while criticizing the Trump administration for making budget planning at the state level more difficult. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers filed a constitutional lawsuit challenging a legislative procedure known as "gut and replace," by which many major acts of the General Assembly are passed.

Budget signed; constitutional challenge filed

Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term. Jerry Nowicki, Ben Szalinski and Public Affairs Reporting intern Jade Aubrey discuss the announcement and Aubrey's time at Capitol News Illinois. 

2026 arrives

This month marks the 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing Medicare and Medicaid into law. At the time, Medicaid was considered to be a minor part of the bill, but it has since ballooned to become a driving force behind the entire American health care system. Now, it's about to be cut back dramatically under President Trump's recently passed domestic policy legislation. How did we get from there to here? Peter Hancock interviews Colleen Grogan, a professor and researcher at the University of Chicago, about the political history of Medicaid.

Medicaid at 60

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Sonya Massey Latest | Capitol Cast: August 2, 2024

Capitol News Illinois

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