Jerry Nowicki

Christian County farmer Ben Curtin shows Gov. JB Pritzker around his Taylorville farm on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Christian County farmer Ben Curtin (left) talks to Gov. JB Pritzker (center) and Illinois Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II at the Curtin family farm in Taylorville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Gov. JB Pritzker takes reporter questions in a pole barn at a Taylorville farm on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, after signing an executive order aimed at protecting Illinois farmers. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Christian County farmer Ben Curtin (left), his wife Linda and daughter Lori Parks hosted Gov. JB Pritzker (center) and Illinois Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II at their family farm in Taylorville on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The group discussed the impact of tariffs and the Trump administration’s purchases of Argentinian beef on Illinois farmers. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

Gov. JB Pritzker (@govpritzker.illinois.gov) met with farmers and agriculture officials in Taylorville, IL to discuss the impact of Trump's tariffs on beef and soybeans farmers. Photos by @nowickipress.bsky.social

Subscribe here: capitolnewsillinois.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

Yesterday, @CapitolNewsIL published six stories on state government and court news. We've got an equally busy slate today. Check out our Capitol News Recap newsletter to follow along us11.campaign-archive.com?e=[UNIQID]&u...

Now’s a good time to note CNI & the Illinois Press Foundation (our parent org) separated from the Press Association a few years back.

We’re 2 separate orgs & I’m as surprised by all this as anyone

Don Craven remains our lawyer & ally — few have done more for press freedom than him.

Jim Edgar, Illinois’ 1990s-era moderate GOP governor, dies at 79 Article Summary After disclosing aggressive pancreatic cancer diagnosis in February, former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar died on Sunday. Edgar spent

Former Illinois governor Jim Edgar, who served two terms in the 1990s, died Sunday of pancreatic cancer. He was 79. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social and @nowickipress.bsky.social report. https://loom.ly/_KDmmoI

Democrats unofficially began the 2026 campaign season at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday outlining the message they believe will help them win campaigns in 2026. Get the full story: https://loom.ly/Hl9HsXU

More Republicans are entering races for statewide office after an initially slow start in announcing candidates for the 2026 election. Get the story: https://loom.ly/1o8x8Ss

First look: 2025 Illinois State Fair butter cow unveiled SPRINGFIELD — State officials ushered in the start of the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday with the annual unveiling of

The 2025 Illinois State Fair butter cow is on display. @nowickipress.bsky.social has more from the unveiling. https://loom.ly/m_8JtMQ

Ted Dabrowski of Wirepoints announces he will run for Governor in 26

Which Republicans are seeking statewide office in 2026? So far, hardly any Article Summary No Republican candidates have publicly announced they’re running for three statewide offices and just two have announced plans

The 2026 campaign season is about to get underway, but very few Republicans are running for statewide office in Illinois. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/sDqeKPg

Da butter cow

2026 arrives 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.

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. https://loom.ly/E4-fuT0

The CNI Statehouse team examines the major issues that didn’t make it across the finish line this session — including proposed reforms for energy policy and mass transit. Don’t miss this in-depth look at what passed, what stalled, and what’s next for Illinois. https://loom.ly/paL0wws

Lawmakers say they have time to pass a transit funding bill this fall. But officials at Chicagoland’s transit agency said “the negative impacts are here” as they prepare for cuts. Andrew Adams reports. https://loom.ly/RhQLng8

Ex-Speaker Madigan sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison for bribery, corruption Ex-House Speaker Mike Madigan gets 7.5 years for bribery, capping a stunning fall from political power.

BREAKING: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison for his 10 convictions on bribery and corruption charges. @hannahmeisel.bsky.social reports. https://loom.ly/gMKRi-4

Legislative leaders discuss next steps for failed transit reform push Illinois lawmakers delay Chicago-area transit funding reform, risking major service cuts and layoffs in 2026.

Here's a must-read, thoroughly reported story by @BenSzalinski
on how the transit bill failed and what comes next:
--All 4 legislative leaders and the two lead Dem negotiators weigh in. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/legisla...

New taxes on sports bets, nicotine products as Democrats pass $55.2B budget Illinois Democrats pass $55.2B budget with new taxes on vaping, betting, and business amid GOP opposition.

Democrats pushed through a $55.2B budget for FY26, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses. @benszalinski.bsky.social and @nowickipress.bsky.social report. https://loom.ly/Z0ITgrY

Lawmakers unveil $55B spending plan with just 1 day left to pass it Illinois Democrats unveil $55B FY26 budget with targeted tax hikes and healthcare cuts, facing federal uncertainty.

Illinois Democrats introduce a $55 billion budget with hopes to pass the plan on Saturday. @benszalinski.bsky.social and @nowickipress.bsky.social report https://loom.ly/JX5EdTA

Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing 'broad-based' tax increase Pritzker vows to veto any Illinois budget with broad tax hikes as revenue projections fall below spending plans.

With @BenSzalinski: Pritzker threatens to veto any budget containing ‘broad-based’ tax increase capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...

The Illinois Firefighters Memorial statue is pictured outside of the Capitol in Springfield. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jade Aubrey)

A bill to ban the sale of firefighter protective gear containing “forever chemicals” is gaining momentum in the #Illinois General Assembly. Reilly Cook and Grace Friedman report for @medillschool.bsky.social. Get the full story: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinoi...

Bill banning carbon sequestration near Mahomet Aquifer clears General Assembly Illinois lawmakers approve a ban on carbon sequestration near the Mahomet Aquifer, citing safety and water concerns.

#Illinois | A bill to ban carbon sequestration near the Mahomet Aquifer needs only a signature from the governor to become law. Jade Aubrey reports. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/bill-ba...

Governor’s office cuts revenue projection by $500M in latest downward estimate Illinois lowers its FY26 revenue forecast by $536M, forcing tough budget talks and potential cuts to state services.

#Illinois | The governor’s office reduced revenue projections for the coming fiscal year as lawmakers enter the final two weeks of budget negotiations. @benszalinski.bsky.social reports. capitolnewsillinois.com/news/governo...

‘Our identity has been frozen in time’: How Native American advocates are influencing Springfield Native advocates push for education, mascot reform, and land justice in Illinois’ Capitol and communities.

“Our identity has been frozen in time & it’s going to stay frozen in time as long as we’re portrayed as mascots & things of the past,” -Matt Beaudet, citizen of the Montauk Tribe of Indians who advocates for a Native mascot ban. From Bridgette Fox: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/our-ide...

Pritzker calls $55.2B budget ‘responsible and balanced’ – but warns Trump policies could upend it Gov. Pritzker unveils a $55.2B budget, balancing spending without tax hikes while addressing federal funding uncertainties.

Full team budget story: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/pritzke...

BREAKING: Pritzker proposes $2B in spending growth without new income or service taxes Gov. Pritzker's new budget proposes $2B growth without tax hikes, amid dynamic economic forecasts and policy shifts.

The team will have more later today, but here's an initial look at the governor's spending plan.
-HBIA funding cut.
-No new income/service taxes
-$469M in new revenue thru tax amnesty, casino tax changes & a pause on transfer of sales tax $ to road fund
capitolnewsillinois.com/news/breakin...

Madigan Trial in Review Capitol News Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel is covering the corruption trial of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Some back-of-the-napkin math shows @hannahmeisel.bsky.social wrote ~90,000 words -about 50 stories- on the Madigan trial since October for CNI.

We've retooled our Madigan Trial in Review page to feature her work chronologically in one place. Give it a look:
capitolnewsillinois.com/madigan-week...

Madigan Trial Week in Review Capitol News Illinois reporter Hannah Meisel is covering the corruption trial of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Each Friday morning, we will update this feature with a rundown of the week’...

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan took the witness stand this week in a risky and surprising move. Catch up on @hannahmeisel.bsky.social's coverage of the trial - which began in late October - here: capitolnewsillinois.com/madigan-week...

So long, Matt Eberflus.

State Supreme Court hears arguments in Jussie Smollett’s effort to overturn conviction | Capitol News Illinois The Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in actor Jussie Smollett’s appeal to overturn his conviction

Background stories:
Smollett: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/state-s...
Glorioso vs. CST: capitolnewsillinois.com/news/sun-tim...

The Illinois SUpreme Court has handed down rulings in two cases I've been following:
-Charges against Jussie Smollett will be dropped; agreement w/ Cook Co. SA Kim Foxx is legally binding.
-Mauro Glorioso can sue the Sun-Times for its reporting on property tax appeals on Trump Tower