Budget, Transit, Energy, Pensions—Who Wants to Be in Springfield?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 105

With Springfield scrambling to come to some sort of resolution on the budget, public transit, energy, pensions, and more by May 31st, we have a Smoke-Filled Room that gives you an inside perspective on the biggest issues facing lawmakers right now.

Joining host Collin Corbett are former State Representatives Mark Batinick and Dan Caulkins and policy expert Sharon Langlotz-Johnson. 

They kick off this episode talking about the bold statement House Democrats made by ousting Fred Crespo, someone each of our guests knows. This foreshadows a concerning scenario where our taxes once again will be on the rise.

We stick to the policy topics, discussing how residents in 96 of Illinois’ counties are going to really love paying an expanded sales tax on services to fund transit in Chicago and the suburbs (but mostly Chicago). We talk about energy rates, which are about to spike on June 1st, and pine for the days when we were an energy exporter. And then Mark gives insight into pensions, the safe harbor issue, and solutions that would actually work.

Everyone on the episode had serious thoughts about the need to end the escalation of political violence. We all question what the hell is going on in Naperville between boys competing in female sports, teen takeovers, and more politically motivated violence. And we cover some of the outlandish laws making their way through Springfield in these closing days of session.

00:00: Introductions
01:55: After Unprecedented Crespo Ouster, What Are Democrats Planning with the 2026 Budget?
15:02: Will Service Taxes Be Expanded to Pay for Transit Reform?
22:13: With Energy Rates About to Spike, Is Springfield About to Make it Even Worse?
30:04: Will Lawmakers Quietly Spike Pension Costs Yet Again?
37:00: Political Violence Continues to Escalate with Chicago Leading the Way 
45:45: Naperville Ignites Debate Over Biological Men in Women's Sports 
56:32: More Movement in 2026 Primaries, Though Yet Again Mostly Democrat
01:03:17: Illinois Democrat Chair Wants You to Pay for Laser Hair Removal for Transgenders
01:06:17: Naperville Democrat Says Yes to Abortions and Sex Changes for Minors, but No to Diet Pills or Protein Supplements
01:07:46: Springfield Democrats Want to Increase Rent for All So Those Facing Eviction Don't Have to Pay a Fine
01:10:21: Pritzker's Department of Corrections Head Doesn't Know How Many Inmates Have Died This Year
01:11:20: CTA's Red Line Extension Cost Explodes from $1.09 Billion to $5.75 Billion
01:13:40: Kraft Heinz Spending $3 Billion to Upgrade US Manufacturing Plants Because of Tariffs
01:14:35: OG & Clown of the Week
01:21:33: Closing Thoughts