Best Prairie State Wire Podcasts (2025)

1
Wesley J. Smith: Why the Assisted Suicide Debate Demands Extreme Caution 20:06

Play Pause

1d ago20:06

20:06

Award-winning author and Discovery Institute Center on Human Exceptionalism Chair Wesley J. Smith joined the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss the expanding push for assisted suicide. Smith explained why advocates rely on euphemistic language to obscure the true implications of euthanasia policies. He identified the ill, disabled, and elderly a…

1
Steve Malanga: The Hidden Cost of Lawsuits Draining America's Cities 18:41

8d ago18:41

18:41

Steve Malanga joined the podcast to discuss: How litigation costs against cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles are spiraling out of control and fueling budget crises. Why weak leadership and "settle-first" policies have encouraged a wave of frivolous lawsuits. How state-level laws and mismanagement make municipalities easy targets for tri…

1
Peoria Heights Mayor Matt Wigginton on Fighting Illinois' Grocery Tax 16:29

15d ago16:29

16:29

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde sits down with Matt Wigginton, the newly elected mayor of Peoria Heights. Wigginton explains his decision to veto a proposed local grocery tax after Illinois repealed the statewide version, arguing that taxing essentials would hit his community's struggling families the hardest. He …

1
Laurie Parman on raising Illinois' educational standards 21:42

23d ago21:42

21:42

Laurie Parman on raising Illinois' educational standardsIn this episode of the Prairie State Wire podcast, host Bryan Hyde talks with Laurie Parman, a retired educator with 30 years of experience and a mission to raise educational standards in Illinois by improving literacy and rooting out the distracting ideological agendas and wasteful spending. …

1
Charlie Meier: Fighting for Illinois' Most Vulnerable Citizens 20:55

29d ago20:55

20:55

Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss his ongoing fight to reform the state's Department of Human Services (DHS) and protect individuals with disabilities from neglect, abuse, and bureaucratic failure. A fourth-generation farmer from Okawville and a lifelong resident of Illinois' 109th District…

1
Martin McLaughlin: Fighting Gerrymandering and Restoring Fair Representation in Illinois 19:51

1M ago19:51

19:51

Martin McLaughlin joined the podcast to discuss: How Governor Pritzker and Illinois Democrats manipulated redistricting maps to entrench one-party control. The loss of fair representation for Republican and independent voters due to decades of political gerrymandering. The need for a nonpartisan redistricting commission and greater citizen involvem…

1
IL State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-107) on the impact of the so-called "Climate Equitable Jobs Act" on Illinois energy costs 19:18

1M ago19:18

19:18

Rep. Brad Halbrook was our guest recently on the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss the impact that the 2021 "Climate Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA)" is having in terms of unaffordable energy costs for all Illinois residents.By The Prairie State Wire Podcast

1
IL State Rep. Jed Davis (R-75) to discuss concerns with the IL Department of Children and Family Services 18:44

2M ago18:44

18:44

Illinois State Rep. Jed Davis of Illinois' 75th District joined us recently on the Prairie State Wire podcast to discuss how the Dept. of Children & Family Services (DCFS) has been allowing uncertified and unqualified interns to investigate families and remove children from their homes.By The Prairie State Wire Podcast

1
Rhonda Belford: Faith, Fair Elections, and Fighting for Illinois 20:33

2M ago20:33

20:33

Rhonda Belford joined the podcast to discuss: Illinois' deep political challenges under Governor JB Pritzker's leadership and the state's culture of hypocrisy on issues like gerrymandering and crime. Why restoring trust in elections, empowering local voters, and strengthening faith in civic life are essential to saving Illinois. How faith, family, …

1
Paul Vallas: Chicago's Leadership Is Failing Students, Taxpayers, and Black Residents 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

In this episode of the Prairie State Wire Podcast, Senior Fellow at the Illinois Policy Institute Paul Vallas joins the show for an in-depth conversation about three major challenges facing Chicago and Illinois. Vallas breaks down what he sees as Mayor Brandon Johnson's political pandering to the black community — and how it's diverting attention f…

1
Andrew Chesney: School Choice, Union Power, and What's Next for Illinois Families 20:26

2M ago20:26

20:26

Andrew Chesney joined the podcast to discuss: The rise and repeal of Illinois' Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarships and their impact on low-income families How teachers unions drive Democratic opposition to school choice in Chicago and statewide A new universal school choice tax credit opportunity and how citizens can mobilize to make it real And…

1
Patrick Wohl, author, "Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre" 19:39

3M ago19:39

19:39

The author of "Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre" attorney Patrick Wohl joins us on the Prairie State Wire podcast. Learn more about Patrick at: www.patrickwohl.comBy The Prairie State Wire Podcast

1
Ed Bachrach & Ted Dabrowski: Illinois' Pension Crisis 17:46

3M ago17:46

17:46

Ed Bachrach and Ted Dabrowski joined the podcast to discuss: How Illinois' pension debt has spiraled into one of the worst in the nation The dangers of Governor Pritzker's proposed "pension sweetener" bill The long-term risks for taxpayers and future generations Ed Bachrach is a retired businessman who returned to graduate school to earn a degree i…

1
Sheila A. Weinberg: Ending "Political Math" and Exposing Illinois' Hidden Debt 18:51

3M ago18:51

18:51

Sheila A. Weinberg joined the podcast to discuss: Why audited financials—not campaign talking points—must drive state budgets. Illinois' transparency failures, delayed reports, and pension shell games. How citizens can force accountability, including SEC complaints over misleading claims. Sheila A. Weinberg is a Certified Public Accountant and the …

1
Pastor Calvin Lindstrom: Faith, Civic Duty, and a Grassroots Blueprint for Illinois 19:21

3M ago19:21

19:21

Pastor Calvin Lindstrom joined the podcast to discuss: Why faith, culture, and law are inseparable—and how Illinois is drifting from its Christian roots. A homeschool-policy victory that shows prayerful, organized citizens can still move lawmakers. Practical ways believers can influence local offices where turnout is low and stakes are high. Pastor…

1
Shannon McClurg: Citizen-Led Win Against Backdoor School Bonds in Effingham, IL 16:05

4M ago16:05

16:05

Shannon McClurg joined the podcast to discuss: Stopping $57 million in school bonds that would have hiked local property taxes. Mobilizing a grassroots petition in 30 days to force voter say on "backdoor referendum" bonds. How neighbors can organize—fast—using simple tools and clear, voter-first messaging. Shannon McClurg is a lifelong Illinoisan, …

1
Bryce Hill: Illinois' Pension Crisis and the Fight for Taxpayer Reform 20:32

4M ago20:32

20:32

Bryce Hill joined the podcast to discuss: Why Illinois citizens must stay informed about state and local budget and tax decisions The roots and scale of Illinois' public pension crisis Solutions for protecting taxpayers and securing retirement promises through reform Bryce Hill is the Director of Fiscal and Economic Analysis at the Illinois Policy …

1
Danielle Carter-Walters: Chicago's Conservative Awakening and Fighting Corruption 20:27

4M ago20:27

20:27

Danielle Carter-Walters joined the podcast to discuss: How Democrat politicians in Illinois and Chicago are using illegal immigration as a tool to destroy the city and the state. Why honest business owners who play by the rules are more likely to be discriminated against by state and local policies. How the destruction can be stopped by replacing D…

1
G.H. Merritt: Building the Case for a New Illinois 18:08

4M ago18:08

18:08

G.H. Merritt joined the podcast to discuss: Why voting with your feet or simply trying harder to elect better politicians isn't enough to escape Illinois' corruption The benefits of living under a Republican form of state government The historical precedents of creating a new state G.H. Merritt is the Chairman of the New Illinois State project that…

1
Jay Swidler: Building Local Republican Strength in Illinois 20:20

5M ago20:20

20:20

Jay Swidler joined the podcast to discuss: How grassroots involvement through precinct committees shapes the future of Illinois politics Why local elections and school boards are critical battlegrounds for conservative values Strategies to overcome apathy and build a bench of principled candidates Jay Swidler is a business owner and lifelong Illino…

1
Steve Cortes: You Don't Know Barack: Exposing Obama Part 2 18:11

5M ago18:11

18:11

Steve Cortes joined the podcast to discuss: How Barack Obama retained influence over the Biden White House despite leaving office Why Obama's legacy has shifted from inspiring figure to net liability for Democrats The billion‑dollar Obama Presidential Center in Chicago as a symbol of misplaced priorities Steve Cortes is a veteran political strategi…

1
Steve Cortes: You Don't Know Barack: Exposing Obama 18:08

5M ago18:08

18:08

Steve Cortes joined the podcast to discuss: Barack Obama's rise from Chicago community organizer to U.S. Senator and ultimately president How Obama's policies enriched connected elites while leaving working Americans behind The widening racial and economic divides during and after Obama's presidency Steve Cortes is founder and president of the Leag…

1
Thomas Weitzel: Law Enforcement Reform, the Safety Act, and Illinois Policing 17:16

6M ago17:16

17:16

Thomas Weitzel joined the podcast to discuss: The impact of recent Illinois legislation, especially the Safety Act, on police authority and community safety The rise of anti-police sentiment, media narratives, and officer morale The challenges in recruiting and retaining officers in Illinois as law enforcement leaves for pro-police states Thomas We…

1
Florian Sohnke: Building Chicago's Conservative Voice—Media, Schools, and the Fight for Urban Renewal 14:44

6M ago14:44

14:44

Florian Sohnke joined the podcast to discuss: The origins and mission of the Chicago Contrarian as a conservative media outlet The deep challenges facing Chicago: public finances, failing schools, and public transit The growing but often overlooked conservative constituency in a deeply blue city Florian Sohnke is a freelance writer, editor, and spe…

1
Shannon Adcock on Woke Schools, Homeschool Battles, and Fighting Back 15:45

7M ago15:45

15:45

Shannon Adcock joined the podcast to discuss: How school lockdowns during COVID-19 prompted her political involvement and the founding of Awake Illinois The group's recent federal civil rights complaints over gender ideology in Illinois public schools Rising attacks on homeschooling and the fight to protect parental rights in education Shannon Adco…

1
Marsha McClary: Parental Rights and Education Reform in Illinois 17:58

7M ago17:58

17:58

Marsha McClary of Moms for Liberty joined the podcast to discuss: Parental rights and educational choice Men in women's spaces How gender confusion harms kids Marsha McClary is chair of the Moms for Liberty of Lake County Chapter. Moms for Liberty nationally is the largest parental rights organization in the United States with over 130,000 members …

1
IL State Rep. Jed Davis (R-IL-75): How to reduce the Illinois state budget by $44 billion 18:30

8M ago18:30

18:30

Illinois State Rep. Jed Davis (R-IL-75) joined the podcast to discuss: The effect of Illinois' $50+ billion budget and how it affects the average Illinois resident Reining in the state budget Dav's 16 page report detailing how the budget could be reduced to $44 billion, starting with energy policies Davis is a Republican member of the Illinois Hous…

1
IL State Rep. Blaine Wilhour on Gov. Pritzker, IL homeschooling bill, and IL's status as a sanctuary state 19:25

8M ago19:25

19:25

Illinois State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-IL-110) joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss: Gov. JB Pritzker's performance and the governor's aspirations to higher office Legislative attempts to hamstring homeschooling and other educational options Illinois' status as a sanctuary state and what Wilhour thinks needs to be done to align with nati…

1
Jeanne Ives on Illinois' Government Mismanagement 19:37

8M ago19:37

19:37

Former IL State Rep. Jeanne Ives joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss; Why Illinois is a bad example of how state government should be run What the chief challenges are facing Illinois voters (pensions, taxes, corruption) What people can do to take action in electing better officials Ives served three terms in the Illinois House of Repr…

1
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-IL-52) on the Illinois budget, illegal aliens, and parental rights 15:54

1+ y ago15:54

15:54

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-IL-52) joined the Prairie STate Wire Podcast to discuss: Illinois issues & getting spending under control The illegal alien crisis and the growing strain on social services Parental rights and abuse of authority under "COVID" (edited)By Prairie State Wire

1
Dan Proft Discusses Illinois Primary Election Results 18:32

1+ y ago18:32

18:32

Dan Proft joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss the Cook County State's Attorney race and the Madigan corruption trial.Proft is the host of "Chicago's Morning Answer" weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on AM 560 Chicago. A former Republican candidate for Illinois Governor, Proft attended Northwestern University and received his J.D. from Loy…

1
Former IL State Rep. Jeanne Ives Discusses how preserving America requires ordinary people to speak up and participate in the political process. 18:33

2y ago18:33

18:33

Former Illinois State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R) joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast to discuss the reasons we must be willing to challenge the experts and why America is still the greatest nation on earth. This episode can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Ives is the founder of Breakthrough Ideas and host of "The Real Story" on AM 560…

1
Illinois State Senate Republican Whip Jil Tracy 19:05

2y ago19:05

19:05

Illinois State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), the Senate Republican Whip, joined the Prairie State Wire Podcast. Tracy was elected to represent Illinois' 50th Senate District in November 2022, running unopposed in both the Republican Primary and General Election. She previously represented the the 47th Senate District from 2017 to 2023, and represented…