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IL Informed

IL Informed

By State Matters

Poet, activist and researcher Glenance Green and former state legislator/gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss, come together to talk Illinois politics, government and how the heck it all works (or doesn’t) in Springfield.

From the games that are played just to let bills see the light of day, to the way lobbyists maneuver to keep them buried, to the secret ways you’re paying for hedge fund managers’ private plane rides...Glenance and Daniel will be pulling back the curtain and shining some light.
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Currently playing episode

Define...Corruption

IL InformedApr 02, 2019

00:00
51:29
Bonus: Legislative Session Recap

Bonus: Legislative Session Recap

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


Jun 11, 201939:56
Accountability

Accountability

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

May 28, 201953:41
Implementation

Implementation

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

May 21, 201937:40
Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power

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


May 14, 201942:50
BONUS - Harassment in the Capitol

BONUS - Harassment in the Capitol

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

May 09, 201909:39
Madigan

Madigan

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

May 07, 201943:35
BONUS Live Episode

BONUS Live Episode

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

May 01, 201901:09:26
BONUS - Dark Money
Apr 26, 201908:57
Budget Shmudget
Apr 23, 201941:34
Lobbyists

Lobbyists

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

Apr 16, 201938:13
Partisanship: In Two Acts

Partisanship: In Two Acts

Episode 4 - We’re looking at partisanship, but with less yelling pundits and more political science. How is the legislative process different when one party controls both the legislative branch and the executive branch versus when control is split between the two major parties? What does “success” look like? And hindsight 20/20, what could Governor Rauner have done to be more successful? 

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
Asst. Producer: Jessica Maynard
Theme Music: Ayanna Woods
Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt
Asst. to the Producer: Matt Norris
Graphic Design: Judith Mayer
Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner
Photographer: Topher Alexander
Special thanks to Eric Sherman

Apr 09, 201939:32
Define...Corruption
Apr 02, 201951:29
Petty Crossroads

Petty Crossroads

Episode 2 - Now the flip side, how a non-controversial bill becomes a law. It should be simple, but what actually happens when the spotlight is off and the public is silent? When the cat’s away, the mice get petty. 

With Special Guest David McEllis.


Credits: 

Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss
Producer: Kacie Smith
Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor
Theme Music: Ayanna Woods
Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt
Graphic Design: Judith Mayer
Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner

Mar 26, 201932:24
Referendum To Reality

Referendum To Reality

Episode 1 - The beginning. The basics. How a bill becomes a law. But more often than not, that process is anything but basic. We look at the $15 minimum wage increase that passed in February 2019 and the long, winding road that made what seemed a ludicrous idea, into a reality. Grassroots activism, political maneuvering, absurd amounts of side-eye and potentially an assist from Republican Governor Bruce Rauner. 

Credits: 

Hosts: Glenance Green and Daniel Biss

Producer: Kacie Smith

Audio Engineer and Editor: AJ Olstad, Noisefloor

Theme Music: Ayanna Woods 

Additional Compositions: Alexander Babbitt

Graphic Design: Judith Mayer

Marketing and Social Media: Amber Crossen and Lizzie Turner

Mar 19, 201925:25
Introducing IL Informed

Introducing IL Informed

Meet Daniel and Glenance and find out why Daniel agreed to spill the beans/T on his time in Springfield! 

Mar 05, 201903:42