Steve Brown is the spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan. He spoke with Tom Miller on the phone about the state budget impasse and lack of higher education funding along with the number of bills being sent to the House floor.

SIU President Randy Dunn joins us to talk about his first month on the job and the sudden possible departure of SIU-Carbondale Chancellor Rita Cheng.

Illinois State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) joins The Morning Newswatch.