This week on Statewide, we take a look at government now and in the past.
The new governor, J.B. Pritzker, talks about some of the issues facing the state like criminal justice, higher education, taxes and ethics.
Pritzker is from Chicago. Most of the state's top leaders make that area their home. But there was a time when some downstate politicians carried significant weight in the legislature. We'll talk about that bygone era of downstate dealmakers.
On this episode:
* Sam Dunklau reports on the state's first posthumous exonertation. Grover Thompson was wrongly convicted and died in prison. The former governor Bruce Rauner delivered some belated justice before leaving office.
* Brian Mackey sits down with the new governor, J.B. Pritzker, to talk about his agenda and the state's problems.
* Sean Crawford interviews Robert Hartley, author of The Dealmakers of Downstate Illinois: Paul Powell, Clyde Choate and John Stelle.
* Jaclyn Driscoll talks with U of I crop scientist Chance Riggins about differences and similarities between industrial hemp and marijuana.
* Maureen McKinney has our Illinois Issues report -- looking at the possible link between opioid addiction and suicide.
Find more episodes at StatewideShow.com. You can also drop us a line at Scraw1@uis.edu
Statewide is heard each week on NPR Illinois, Illinois Public Media, WGLT, Peoria Public Radio and WSIU.
Copyright 2021 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS. To see more, visit NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS. 9(MDEwNzMwNTg2MDEzNTgxODc5OTM3MWU0Ng004))
