Tony Arnold
Tony Arnold covers Illinois state politics for WBEZ. His investigations have ranged from the multiple Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks at the Quincy veterans’ home that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen residents, to documenting an increase in the deaths of children who had contact with Illinois’ child welfare system. He’s also covered the unprecedented two-year state budget impasse, Chicago mayoral elections, national political conventions, and he’s edited the daily news desk. He’s won numerous Illinois AP and Peter Lisagor awards for his reporting.
Tony has a B.A. in American Studies from Miami University. He’s previously worked at WNIJ in DeKalb, IL and WMUB in Oxford, OH. His first job in journalism was as a stringer, recording stats for local high school sports.
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The nation's longest serving state house speaker in modern history, Democrat Michael Madigan from Illinois, stepped down from the speakership. He was driven from power by a federal corruption probe.
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During the coronavirus pandemic, states have struggled with staggering revenue losses and budget shortfalls. Here's what is happening in Illinois.
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President Trump is again considering letting former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich out of prison early. Blagojevich is serving 14 years for trying to sell Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
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J.B. Pritzker, Democratic nominee for governor in Illinois, has broken the record for campaign self-finance. A lot of money is going to advertising, which isn't making everyone in Illinois happy.
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Women in politics are starting to call out sexual harassment in state capitols around the country. In Illinois, a bill's being considered that would require lawmakers and staff to undergo training.
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While the state's public schools could open on time, some school districts say they will run out of money by October if the legislature and governor can't agree on a school funding formula soon.
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Democrats in Illinois are debating whether they should back a billionaire candidate to take on Gov. Bruce Rauner next year, or whether embracing the money will lead the party astray.
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Illinois has gone 20 months without a budget and the state's finances and services are increasingly precarious. Gov. Bruce Rauner and his chief Democratic opponent show little sign of compromising.
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It's common for governors to raise money for political allies. What's not common is for governors to spend tens of millions of dollars out of their own pocket for political allies. But that's exactly what Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is doing on behalf of statehouse Republicans.
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Donald Trump cancelled a campaign rally in Chicago last night after his supporters clashed with protesters inside an arena where thousands were gathered.