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In this episode Jim Mertens talks with Illinois lawmakers, who have just returned to the state capitol for a new session, about what to expect in the new year.
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Jerry Nowicki, editor in chief for Capital News Illinois, lists his top news stories in Illinois politics and government for 2025. He also looks ahead to some key issues and people to watch for in 2026.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation, invites the public to attend a second public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 28, for the U.S. 67 (Centennial Bridge) corridor project. The meeting will be from 3 to 6 p.m. at the second floor of The Current Iowa, 215 N. Main St., Davenport. There will be no formal presentation, and the public is invited to attend at any time during the hours listed.
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While the Third Ward council member originally sought a suspension of the city social services ordinance (approved in October), to be discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting Jan. 12, that item will not be on the agenda, per the request of Mayor Ashley Harris.
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Iowa House Representative Gary Mohr eyes property tax reform, barring for-profit companies from using eminent domain, and tough on crime policies as his main priorities for the legislative term.
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New Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon met the media Tuesday afternoon, with the City Council, who will all be sworn into office at the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 226 W. 4th St. The 2026-27 City Council includes four new aldermen: Paul Vasquez (Ward 3), John Blunk (Ward 5), Mark Holloway (Ward 7), and Matt Lienen (Ward 8). In brief remarks, Gordon said he’s looking forward to hiring a new city administrator as the most important first task of the council.
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The Iowa Legislature’s 91st General Assembly begins next month. One local representative is proposing paid family leave.
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Nationally-eminent historian H.W. Brands discusses his book, Andrew Jackson: His Like and Times, a timely topic since Jackson is one of president Trump's favorites. Brands discusses Jackson's upbringing that shaped his values as president, the "Corrupt Bargain" and the longest campaign for the presidency in 1828, Jackson's appeal to voters, his role in what Brands calls the beginning of American democracy and its first true test, and the similarities and differences between Jackson and Trump.
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Jim talks with Reverend Rich Hendricks from the Metropolitan Community Church and Tyler Mitchell from the Project of the Quad Cities about the new administration and how policies are impacting people from the LQBTQ+ community.
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A.J. Wilhemi, President and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, talks about the impact of the Affordable Care Act on Illinois health care, the system's dependence on federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, the shortage of health care workers, how immigration impacts health care staffing, rural health care, the increasing roles of technology and AI, and much more.
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The Rock Island City Council is considering rate increases for refuse, sewer, stormwater, and water services to address negative fund balances and fund ongoing infrastructure projects.
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Former West Virginia Governor and Senator Joe Manchin discusses his recent book Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense, how the Democrats lost working class voters, how he was able to win in a Red State, our partisan divide, his defense of the filibuster, and much more.