BONUS - Dark Money

In this little bonus ep, Daniel Biss talks with Senators Melinda Bush and Robert Peters about the avalanche of legislation passed here in Illinois in 2019.  Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer: Ari Mejia Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer

Episode 10 - Our swan song for IL Informed Season 1. After all this talk about how the system works, we dive into how to make the system accountable. What does accountability actually mean? What does it look like? Accountable to whom?  And how do we as individuals navigate through all the confusing nonsense to actually make the change in government we want to see? Ready to find your reps? Click here! Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander

Episode 9 - The work doesn’t stop when a bill becomes a law. In this episode, Daniel and Glenance talk about implementation, enforcement, and why we all need to stay engaged beyond the bill signing ceremony. Hold the champagne, cause it ain’t over yet.  Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander

Episode 8 -   Transparency! It’s something we’re always begging for, because knowledge actually IS power. And the current lack of transparency is pretty much the reason this podcast exists. But what does true government transparency look like? And how can we the people push for more when this is arguably the most boring government reform issue imaginable? And for your viewing pleasure, that excellent rant from Representative Mike Bost.  Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander

This is from our conversation about Speaker of the House Mike Madigan. Glenance and Daniel discuss the environment that has allowed for sexual harassment to go unchecked in Springfield and the systemic reforms that are now being proposed by Senator Melinda Bush.  Check out more about those bills here.  Have thoughts on this convo? A different perspective? Hit us up on social media.  Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander

Episode 7 - The inevitable Speaker of the House Mike Madigan episode. A lot has been said about him in the press and a lot of folks already have their minds made up about the powerful Democrat and his role in state government. But we’ve got a tale or two that maybe you haven’t heard before. Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander

A detour from our norm with special guests Khadine Bennett with ACLU Illinois and State Senator Ram Villivalam. This episode was recorded live at Lagunitas Brewing Company. Our guests give a recap of what’s happened and look at what’s to come in Springfield this legislative session. Major highlights are the Reproductive Health Act, the graduated/progressive/fair tax, and legalizing recreational marijuana.  Our cohort also gets into questions about equity in state legislation, how folks can influence Springfield, and their personal experience now that Democrats are in control of both the Governor’s seat and the legislature.  A partisanship warning - Given the feelings and stances of the cohort and the audience being based in Chicago, we want to acknowledge that there’s a specific partisan bent to this conversation (and also some of the applause). We hope folks will find it useful and informative regardless of your political affiliation!  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Event Producers: Lizzie Turner and Steph Krim Recording: Zachary Sigelko  Theme Music: Ayanna Woods  Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander Special thanks to Patrick Engman, Topher Alexander, and Devin Soule.  And an extra special thanks to Lagunitas Brewing Company

BONUS FROM THE BUDGET EP! Glenance and Daniel talk about the strange and massive dark money showdown that's happening over the progressive/graduated/fair tax. There are well-funded titans on both sides of this one, but how common is 'dark money' in legislative fights?  Don't forget to get tickets for Monday's live podcast recording! 

Episode 6 - This one’s 32 minutes about the budget, 8 minutes about cake. No Illinois government podcast would be complete without a long hard look at the budget, at least not in 2019. This episode we talk through the nuts, bolts, whats and hows of the state budget. And then end with the age-old question: but, like, how screwed are we?  Join us for a live show on April 29th at Lagunitas! 

Episode 5 - We’ve mentioned them a few times: lobbyists. Crusaders for justice or guns for hire? Or both! We talk about what they do, how they do it, and what their impact is on the political process. And then we take a little detour to 2011/2012 and a funny little story called “buttongate.” Prepare yourself. It’s bananas.  Join us for a live show on April 29th at Lagunitas!  Credits:  Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss Producer: Kacie Smith Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris Theme Music: Ayanna Woods Graphic Design: Judith Mayer Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner Photographer: Topher Alexander