Steve Brown is the spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. He joined Tom Miller in the studio this morning to discuss Illinois' 11th month without a budget and answered questions pertaining to the polarization between Speaker Madigan and Governor Bruce Rauner.

Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich joins The Morning Newswatch.

The Old King Coal Festival continues this weekend! Marcia Raubach joined Tom Miller in the studio to tell us more about the traditions of this event honoring coal miners of Southern Illinois.