The Illinoize Podcast
by Forward Thinking Media, LLC
Longtime journalist and political operative Patrick Pfingsten, who writes The Illinoize political newsletter, takes on politicians, tough topics, and common sense while he cuts through the noise of politics in the Land of Lincoln.
Episodes
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The Illinoize Podcast- October 23, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by the two candidates for State Comptroller, Rep. Margaret Croke (D-Chicago) and Republican Bryan Drew. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like…
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The Illinoize Podcast - October 16, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Lt. Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Juliana Stratton. We also discuss the final stretch to Election Day with Olivia Olander of the Chicago Tribune. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1...
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The Illinoize Podcast- October 9, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Christian Mitchell Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like us on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/theillinoize
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The Illinoize Podcast- October 2, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Republican candidate for Lt. Governor Aaron Del Mar and Independent candidate for Lt. Governor Carolyn Schofield. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X:...
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The Illinoize Podcast- September 25, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten previews the U.S. Senate race with Republican nominee Don Tracy and Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like us on...
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The Illinoize Podcast- August 21, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is at the Illinois State Fair, talking politics with Senate Republican Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield). Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on...
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The Illinoize Podcast - August 14, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.x.com/the_illinoize Like us on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/theillinoize
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The Illinoize Podcast- July 31, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) to discuss a sexual harassment scandal that has ensnared House Speaker Chris Welch and the federal indictment of Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana). We're also joined by Capitol News Illinois statehouse reporter Brenden...
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The Illinoize Podcast - July 24, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Governor JB Pritzker for a one-on-one interview on ethics, DCFS, property taxes, energy prices, and his 2028 ambitions. We're also joined by Chicago Tribune political reporter Dan Petrella, who is covering Pritzker's re-election campaign, for reaction. Learn more:...
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The Illinoize Podcast- July 16, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten checks in with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth on the war in Iran, the SAVE America Act (and her surprising answer about Voter ID, and affordability. We're also joined by outgoing State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora), who isn't seeking re-election on her battle with MS and the...
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The Illinoize Podcast- April 10, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten looks ahead to the final stretch of the spring legislative session with Republican and Democratic views in the House of Representatives. Patrick is joined by Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) and Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) to discuss property taxes, the Bears stadium, local…
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The Illinoize Primary Preview Show- March 16, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore and Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois to break down the races for U.S. Senate, Governor, congress, and more the day before the March 17 primary.
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The Illinoize Podcast- March 13, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten breaks down the 9th Congressional District Democratic primary with Matthew Eadie of Evanston Now and the 7th and 8th District Democratic primaries with Mitchell Armentrout of the Chicago Sun-Times. We also sit down with State Comptroller Susana Mendoza on the election to replace...
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The Illinoize Podcast- March 6, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten sits down with GOP gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski. We also discuss outside spending on elections, the status of major races, and the property tax situation with the Chicago Bears with former Rep. Mark Batinick. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter:...
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The Illinoize Podcast- February 27, 2026
Patrick Pfingsten sits down with 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who is the frontrunner in the 2026 GOP primary for Governor. We also discuss the latest in the Bears stadium mess with Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the…
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The Illinoize Podcast - January 16, 2026
The Illinoize Podcast is back and looking ahead to what may happen at the Statehouse this year. We're joined by Senate GOP Leader John Curran (R-Downers Grove) as Republicans try to make an impact in the superminority. We're also joined by longtime Madigan spokesman Steve Brown to talk about his...
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 9, 2026
The Illinoize Podcast returns in 2026 previewing what to expect at the Statehouse this spring. We're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) and Brenden Moore of Capitol News Illinois. Learn more: www.theillinoize.com Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.theillinoize.com/subscribe-1 Follow us…
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The Illinoize Podcast- Speaker Chris Welch- October 31, 2025
Patrick Pfingsten sits down with House Speaker Chris Welch after a tumultous fall veto session.
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The Illinoize Podcast- September 13, 2024
As House Speaker Chris Welch has appointed a Democrat-only working group to address the looming funding crisis for Chicago area mass transit systems, one of the co-chairs of the group, Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the funding hole, reform, if it will result...
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The Illinoize Podcast - July 25, 2024
After Governor JB Pritzker endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President Monday morning, speculation about Pritzker for Vice President immediately kicked in. We discuss Pritzker's chances, the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago and more with Chicago Tribune Political…
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The Illinoize Podcast- July 18, 2024
Illinois Republicans in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention are optimistic about their chances to retake the Oval Office, but tensions still persist inside the Illinois Republican Party. We're joined by outgoing Republican National Committeeman for Illinois, Richard…
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The Illinoize Podcast - June 28, 2024
Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) joins The Illinoize to discuss former President Donald Trump's criminal convictions, the Gotion battery plant deal, GOP views of IVF and abortion, and the wars in Ukraine and Israel. We're also joined by former State Representative and pollster Mark Batinick...
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The Illinoize Podcast- June 7, 2024
We're joined by Comptroller Susana Mendoza who offers her thoughts on the new state budget and her comments about budget cuts that brought swift condemnation from Governor JB Pritzker and his top staff. We also discuss budget drama with Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.
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The Illinoize Podcast- May 17, 2024
With a week remaining before lawmakers are scheduled to pass a budget and leave Springfield, tensions remain high between Governor JB Pritzker and Democratic lawmakers over $800 million in tax increases. Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) discusses where things stand and if Democrats can adjourn on…
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The Illinoize Podcast - May 10, 2024
As the spring legislative session heats up and winds down all at the same time, we check in with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) on budget talks, the Bears, and a bill ending slating of legislative candidates. We also talk about Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's fruitless trip to...
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The Illinoize Podcast- April 5, 2024
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the failures of the Prisoner Review Board that led to the death of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We're joined by Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) to discuss how to fix the board. Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt also joins us to discuss his new book on former...
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The Illinoize Podcast- Primary Preview Show- March 15, 2024
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises, Dan Petrella of the Chicago Tribune, and Russell Lissau of the Daily Herald to preview top congressional and legislative primaries around the state this Tuesday.
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The Illinoize Podcast- February 9, 2024
We're joined by Rep. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford) on the Trump impact on Republican candidates, property taxes, and the state's migrant crisis. We're also joined by Dean Olsen of the Illinois Times, who has been covering the pending corruption trial of former Sen. Sam McCann. Subscribe on YouTube…
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 26, 2024
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), who has been appointed to chair a House Democrat working group on the migrant crisis. We also discuss the city of Chicago response with longtime Chicago columnist Eric Zorn.
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 12, 2024
We visit with Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Alex Degman, Statehouse Reporter for WBEZ. You can also subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon.
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 5, 2024
Patrick Pfingsten of theillinoize.com sits down with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune to discuss crime, corruption, the criminal trial of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, and more.
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The Illinoize Podcast- December 15, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the migrant crisis mess in Chicago. We dig into the tense relationship between Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson with Dan Petrella from the Chicago Tribune. Then, we're joined by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) for a conversation on migrants, Soldier…
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The Illinoize Podcast- October 13, 2023
On this week's podcast, we talk to Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) about funding for migrants, the Invest in Kids program, Ameren's power grid, and if House Republican can compete in 2024. We're also joined by Brenden Moore of Lee Enterprises.
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The Illinoize Podcast Special- September 27, 2023
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) joins Patrick Pfingsten to discuss the looming shutdown of the federal government.
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The Illinoize Podcast- August 25, 2023
We break down the perjury and obstruction of justice conviction of Tim Mapes, the longtime Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan with Ray Long of the Chicago Tribune. We're also joined by former Congressman, SIU President, and 1998 Democratic nominee for Governor Glenn Poshard…
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The Illinoize Podcast- July 28, 2023
We discuss the new Auditor General's report on $5 billion in pandemic unemployment fraud with Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet). We also talk about poor GOP fundraising and Republican chances in 2024 with GOP consultant Collin Corbett.
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The Illinoize Podcast- July 7, 2023
We discuss the Mike Bost/Darren Bailey 12th District primary with Brenden Moore of the Lee Enterprises group of newspapers and southern Illinois GOP consultant Michael Butler of Cor Strategies.
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The Illinoize Podcast- June 30, 2023
Patrick is joined by Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) and Chicago Tribune statehouse reporter Jeremy Gorner.
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The Illinoize Podcast- June 2, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the end of the spring legislative session with Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and Rep. Dave Vella (D-Rockford).
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The Illinoize Podcast- May 5, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten is joined by Jon Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times to discuss the ComEd Four trial and the latest news on the Illinois assault weapons ban. We also talk corruption with former Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
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The Illinoize Podcast- April 7, 2023
Comments from Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson and a visit with Joliet's Mayor-Elect, Terry D'Arcy.
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The Illinoize Podcast- April 3, 2023
We preview Tuesday's mayoral elections in Chicago, Naperville, Joliet, and Springfield with political consultant Collin Corbett. Subscribe now at www.theillinoize.com. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-illinoize-podcast/id1640175442 Google:...
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The Illinoize Podcast- March 24, 2023
Patrick discusses the "ComEd Four" trial with Jon Seidel of the Chicago Sun-Times.
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The Illinoize Podcast- March 15, 2023
Patrick is joined by Chicago Tribune Political Reporter Rick Pearson.
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The Illinoize Podcast- March 1, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten discusses the Chicago mayoral election with Tahman Bradley of WGN-TV and political operative Chris Jackowiak.
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The Illinoize Podcast- February 15, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten discusses Governor JB Pritzker's budget proposal and gets reaction from Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) and Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
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The Illinoize Podcast- February 1, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten talks with former Congressman and former Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, Bill Enyart. We also look into data detailing why Republicans lost in 2022 with GOP consultant Collin Corbett.
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 25, 2023
We're joined by Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) on guns, taxes, and the Governor's 2023 agenda. We also discuss the multiple legal issues facing newly passed laws and former Speaker Michael Madigan with Jon Seidel, the federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times.
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 18, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten discusses state finances with Comptroller Susana Mendoza and welcomes former Congressman Rodney Davis to talk about the messy race for Speaker of the House and the future of the Illinois GOP. Learn more at www.theillinoize.com.
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The Illinoize Podcast- January 11, 2023
Patrick Pfingsten reviews Gov. JB Pritzker's signature on the assault weapons ban bill. We discuss with gun rights supporter Todd Vandermyde. We're also joined by Chicago Tribune reporter Ray Long on Chris Welch's ascent to the Speakership two years ago and the mounting criminal case against…
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About this show
Longtime journalist and political operative Patrick Pfingsten, who writes The Illinoize political newsletter, takes on politicians, tough topics, and common sense while he cuts through the noise of politics in the Land of Lincoln.
Hosted by
Forward Thinking Media, LLC
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