What the heck is happening in the Department of Corrections?—Smoke-Filled Room—Episode 72

Welcome back to the Smoke-Filled Room and this week, we’re kicking things off with a topic that has been on our list to dive into because it hasn’t been getting the coverage it deserves, and we have an expert joining us to give us the inside scoop.

We’re joined for episode 72 with State Senator Terri Bryant, State Representative Dan Caulkins, Northfield Township GOP Committeeman TJ Brown, Cor’s political experts Michael Butler and Chris Jackowiak, and host Collin Corbett. 

Senator Bryant knows the Illinois Department of Corrections better than any legislator and anyone else we could have on our show to share insight on the mess going on at state prisons across Illinois. It’s been cover up after cover up, and Senator Bryant, who worked for the department for 20 years, sheds the light on what’s really going on. And we all know that if this was happening under a Republican Governor, this story would be front page news.

We then get into the latest on the campaign front: TV ads are ramping up in IL-17, the digital ad war is at full throttle in House Districts, and we breakdown The Illinoize’s top 10 legislative seats for this election and we share our takes on what should’ve been left off the list.

We close out the episode with quick hits on how Illinois Republicans can’t seem to quit talking about taxes, Republicans are losing their way on immigration issues, our own residents list Illinois as the most hated state, and Representative Caulkins brings the heat calling out the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board during our OG & Clown of the Week segment.

00:00: Intro
03:40: What the Heck is Going on at the Department of Corrections?
21:37: TV Ads Ramping Up in IL-17 Race Between Joe McGraw and Eric Sorensen
32:12: Digital Ad War at Full Throttle in House Districts Throughout Illinois
43:13: The Illinoize Lists Their Top 10 Legislative Seats Likely to Flip 
01:06:14: Don't Ignore Down-Ballot Races in 2024 and Consolidated Elections in 2025
01:16:00: Teamsters Poll Shows Continued Movement Among Union Households Towards Republicans
01:21:17: Talking Taxes is a Drug House Republicans Can't Seem to Quit
01:27:00: Republicans Losing Their Way on Immigration Issue
01:30:17: Illinois Is the Most Hated State...By Our Own Residents 
01:35:39: OG & Clown of the Week
01:42:20: Closing Thoughts