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.

Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) joins The Morning Newswatch to discuss a meeting he had with Governor-elect Bruce Rauner in Washington, among other topics.

Professor Emeritus with the University of Illinois Dr. Kent Redfield joins The Morning Newswatch.