Politically Speaking

As he tries to become the next St. Charles County executive, former state Sen. Bill Eigel is defending his fundraising strategies that inspired Republican House members to advance legislation curtailing recurring campaign contributions. Eigel speaks with STLPR’s Jason Rosenbaum on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. Rosenbaum reports from Springfield on how Missouri Republicans at Lincoln Days are preparing for the 2026 election. And he also talks with STLPR's Will Bauer about Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's State of the State and Budget Address.

The Chicago-area real estate developer, video gambling mogul and fuel company owner entered the GOP primary in Illinois governor's race late last fall. On this episode of Politically Speaking, Heidner makes his case for why he's the right Republican to take on Gov. JB Pritzker.

The Chicago-area sheriff believes his lengthy law enforcement career positions him best to address public safety and criminal justice issues in the Republican race for governor. On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, St. Louis Public Radio's Will Bauer sits down with Mendrick to discuss how he would govern as Illinois' chief executive.

U.S. Rep. Bob Onder said it’s possible that lawmakers may not come up with an agreement to keep the federal government fully open past Friday. 
 
 While lawmakers passed a number of appropriations bills, they held off on passing a measure funding the Department of Homeland Security, which could disrupt the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Transportation Safety Administration.
 
 Democrats have demanded that the Homeland Security funding bill include guardrails, especially after ICE and Border Patrol’s actions in Minnesota drew nationwide outrage. On the latest edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, Onder acknowledged that he was “disturbed” by what went on in Minneapolis and other places around the country. But he also criticized states that allow sanctuary cities which limit cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Should Illinois Republicans renominate Darren Bailey as their gubernatorial candidate or should they choose a political newcomer to take on Gov. JB Pritzker in November? On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Will Bauer talks with Bailey about his second candidacy to be chief executive in the Land of Lincoln.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on why she's filing a lawsuit to exclude certain immigrants from the Census. Rosenbaum also checks in with St. Louis Comptroller Donna Baringer about how she's overhauling an office responsible for key financial decisions.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer about her bid for the U.S. Senate.

Republicans in Illinois' 13th Congressional District, which includes much of the Metro East, will need to decide if Wilson is the better candidate to run for the seat that's currently occupied by Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski.

Alderman Bret Narayan of the 4th Ward discusses short-term rentals, liquor licenses and the sheriff's office.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer talk with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly – one of the three major candidates running to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Ted Dabrowski trails in the latest Illinois Republican governor primary polls, but he argues sending former GOP nominee Darren Bailey into a rematch would be a mistake.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri state Rep. Ray Reed talks about why his bill to require federal agents to identify themselves and not wear masks is needed.
 
 While the chances of that bill passing in the GOP controlled legislature are small, Reed said it’s important to take a stand. 
 
 “Everyone knows that Democrats have an uphill battle in Jefferson City, but that does not mean we don't continue to fight the good fight while we're there, using all the power we have,” Reed said.

position from “day one.” 
 
 Riley is expected to ascend to the House Speaker post in 2027, especially since the GOP is widely expected to have a continued majority after the 2026 election. As speaker, Riley will have the ability to form committees and decide where certain bills go for hearings. 
 
 “That's where you have the most ability to impact change and do positive things for the state,” Riley said during a recent interview on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air. “So it's definitely something I was interested in. I didn't necessarily know for sure that that was going to all work out that way. But I was interested in it.”

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Missouri Sen. Ben Brown about why the state should eliminate the income tax. He also discussed Sens. Eric Schmitt and Josh Hawley's views on taking over Greenland with WashU's Steven Smith. And at the end of the show, Rosenbaum spoke with future Missouri House Speaker Alex Riley about the 2026 legislative session.

St. Louis' 3rd Ward alderman joins host Rachel Lippmann to talk lessons learned, incentives and municipal consolidation.

Blaha will need to overcome a massive fundraising disadvantage to beat U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski for Illinois' 13th Congressional District, the seat that represents much of the Metro East.

Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, is facing something she didn’t have in her first reelection bid two years ago: a primary challenger. Dylan Blaha, a progressive and an Illinois National Guard member, is aiming to beat Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, which includes part of the Metro East.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Sarah Kellogg preview the 2026 Missouri General Assembly session. Rosenbaum also talks with Department of Social Services director Jessica Bax about her first year on the job – and plan that could pay child abuse investigators more money.

Sen. Maggie Nurrenbern returns to Politically Speaking to discuss the upcoming 2026 legislative session. Nurrenbern speaks to St. Louis Public Radio's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum about a tougher budget process, what education policy she wants passed and her thoughts on the 2026 general election.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Missouri Lt. Gov. David Wasinger talked about his desire to see the Senate’s rules change, which provoked a backlash among GOP officials earlier this year. 
 
 Wasinger said lengthy filibusters often feature long-winded soliloquies that aren’t germane to legislation at hand and result in dysfunction. Wasinger conceded that he doesn’t have the power to compel senators to change their rules. 
 
 “I don't have a magic wand where I can just unilaterally say, ‘Here are what the rules are going to be,’” he said. “I just simply threw that out as a topic of discussion.”

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Politics Team counts down the top stories of 2025 in Missouri, Illinois and St. Louis politics. Let's just say... this year was definitely not boring.

Fifth Ward Alderman Matt Devoti says cumbersome contracting processes have been the biggest impediment to pushing relief to survivors of the May 16 tornado.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Sen. Lincoln Hough candidly discusses his 'topsy turvy' experience over the last 12 months. The Springfield Republican was ousted as Senate Appropriations Committee chairman ... and also voted against cutting off Democratic filibusters throughout the year.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum deconstructs an avalanche of Missouri redistricting news over the past week. He also spoke with state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley about why the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on the Voting Rights Act could provoke major changes to the traditionally African-American 1st Congressional District. And finally, Rosenbaum (who happens to be a Buffalo Grove, IL, native) talks with Capitol News Illinois' Brenden Moore about the race to succeed U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Jami Cox Antwi won a special election in July to replace Mayor Cara Spencer as the alderwoman of the 8th Ward

The alderman from St. Louis's 9th Ward sat down with Rachel Lippmann to discuss development, restructuring city government and reducing the cost to run for office.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Kellogg and Jason Rosenbaum break down the Dec. 1 arrival of sports betting in Missouri. Rosenbaum also talks with STLPR's Brian Munoz about the quo warranto trial of St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery. And he also discusses St. Louis County's budgetary woes with St. Louis County Public Health Director Kanika Cunningham.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, state Rep. Jaclyn Zimmermann talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about her first year in office; her thoughts on the redistricting special session; and her expectations for the 2026 legislative session.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer about how the city is handling recovery efforts six months after the tornado. Rosenbaum also speaks with St. Louis County Councilwoman Rita Days about the county's budget problems. And Rosenbaum explores which 2026 contests in Missouri could foretell a Democratic wave election – or continued national GOP dominance.

STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer about the recovery efforts around the May 16 tornado. This is an extended interview from Spencer's appearance on the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air.

During a trip to Washington, D.C., St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum spoke with Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt about the federal government shutdown, the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, Tuesday's elections and much more. This conversation also was broadcasted on Friday's St. Louis on the Air.

It's Halloween, which happens to be St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum's favorite holiday. So on a spine-tingling episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Rosenbaum talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg on Missouri's most notable political curses. Rosenbaum also explains why the Missouri Republican effort to redraw the state's congressional districts is becoming a logistical nightmare. And, finally, Rosenbaum talks with former St. Louis County Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway about the rising popularity of witchcraft.

The alderman of St. Louis' 14th Ward discusses tornado recovery, Paul McKee and his future political plans

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with Congressman Sam Graves about his legislation to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Rosenbaum also speaks with Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway about her first few weeks on the job.

Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard of the 10th Ward talks tornado recovery, zoning, civilian oversight and north side business grants.

Alderwoman Pam Boyd of the 13th Ward discusses the May 16 tornado, ward reduction and addressing nuisance properties.

On a special edition of the Politically Speaking podcast, Democrat Fred Wellman talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about his bid to unseat Congresswoman Ann Wagner. Wellman is a podcast host, military veteran and a well-known figure on social media platforms.

In her first St. Louis media interview since announcing she would be running against for Congress, former Congresswoman Cori Bush talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about why she's returning to the electoral arena, how she plans to win voters back who did support her in 2024, and why her 2026 re-match with Rep. Wesley Bell could get very contentious.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, we'll hear from autistic St. Louis residents and families autistic parents about President Donald Trump's Sept. 22 press conference on autism. STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum also talks with BiState Development's Taulby Roach about the demise of the Green Line MetroLink.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum breaks down how the special session on redistricting and the initiative petition process broke all sorts of precedents and legislative norms. Rosenbaum also talks with attorney Denise Lieberman on the efforts to defeat the map at the ballot box and in court. And St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann discusses regional efforts on law enforcement training and data cetners.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum reports from Jefferson City on what could be a pivotal special session. Rosenbaum talks with House Minority Leader Ashley Aune about a proposed redraw of the state's congressional lines and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins about a proposal making it harder for ballot items to pass.

Illinois Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is criticizing a plan by President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to Chicago to fight crime.
 
 On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking podcast, Budzinski said Trump’s threats to send troops under the guise of fighting crime is a distraction from the president’s woes. 
 
 “I think that this is a manufactured crisis by this administration, I would argue, perhaps to distract from political issues like Jeffrey Epstein or the fact that he made a commitment also on day one to reduce the costs of groceries, and he's failed to do that,” she said.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Congressman Bob Onder talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum about why he supports Gov. Mike Kehoe calling the legislature back into session for mid-decade redistricting.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum takes a deep dive into whether federal, state and local policymakers should regulate artificial intelligence. Rosenbaum talked with Oliver Roberts of the WashU Law AI Collaborative and STLPR's Kate Grumke about questions around intellectual property and environmental costs. Rosenbaum also talked with Congressman Mark Alford about why he supported defunding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

On an extended segment for the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, Congressman Mark Alford discussed Corporation for Public Broadcast defunding, town hall meetings, the One Big Beautiful Bill and redistricting.

On the latest episode of Politically Speaking, Illinois state Sen. Chris Belt talks with STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum and Will Bauer about the state budget, Donald Trump's impact on education, and whether his colleagues may redraw the state's congressional map in response to Texas.

On this week's episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum takes a closer look at why Missouri Republicans keep going after voter-approved ballot initiatives. Rosenbaum talks with GOP political consultant David Barklage about the potential for consequences in 2026 for Missouri Republicans, particularly with a potential ballot item that would make it much more difficult to overturn voter-approved initiatives. And Rosenbaum also talks with STLPR's Sarah Kellogg about the potential for a constitutional amendment protecting paid sick leave for workers. Rosenbaum also talks with Democratic Sen. Patty Lewis of Kansas City about a potential redistricting special session.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Jason Rosenbaum talks with MoHealthNet director Todd Richardson about the future of the health care program for the working poor, elderly and disabled. Rosenbaum also reflects on the legacy of former Missouri Rep. Bill Clay, arguably one of the most important Show Me State political figures in modern history.

Todd Richardson is hardly a stranger to high-stakes challenges. 
 
 He became Speaker of the Missouri House abruptly in 2015 after his predecessor resigned amid a scandal.
 
 He also waded through the near-impeachment of Eric Greitens during his last year in elective office. 
 
 And as Medicaid director, he’s dealt with a once-in-a-generation pandemic and the expansion of the health care program to include the working poor.
 
 As he enters his seventh year running Missouri’s Medicaid program, Richardson is confronting yet another challenge: Implementing work requirements in the recently-enacted One Big Beautiful Bill.

On the latest episode of the Politically Speaking Hour on St. Louis on the Air, STLPR's Sarah Fentem joins host Jason Rosenbaum to talk about the potential impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on the state's Medicaid program. Fentem spoke with Sen. Josh Hawley earlier this week about why he ended up voting for the massive budgetary package – even though it includes provisions that hurt states' abilities to retain Medicaid enrollees. Rosenbaum also talked with state Reps. Colin Wellenkamp and Marty Joe Murray about the House Future Caucus.