Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Credit Unions: Myth Buster #1: Accessing Your Funds
Next Post: Former Sen. Sam McCann indicted on charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion
Posted in:
* Press release…
The Illinois Senate Democratic Fund (ISDF) today launched a weekly political podcast that gives the 41-member caucus an opportunity to let their constituents hear organic, authentic conversation about who they are and the work they do.
Each episode of “In Session” will run 20-40 minutes and feature three to four caucus members with a different member serving as the moderator each week.
“Having a few Senators talk among themselves reveals a dynamic that’s rarely accessible to the people we represent. These conversations will give listeners perspective into the push-pull that comes with the work we do,” Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said. “‘In Session’ gives listeners a unique chance to hear about Senators’ decision making processes, the challenges they face, and their individual stories.”
The first episode is called “How We Won” and includes discussion about how ISDF retained its seats and won a new seat in the November 2020 cycle when those gains weren’t mirrored by Democrats locally and nationally.
Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) hosts the conversation with guests President Harmon and Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago).
The first episode of “In Session” is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and the ISDF website. Click subscribe or follow to stay tuned for a new episode each week, including the next two:
New Member Prep moderated by retired Sen. Pat McGuire with guests Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) and Sen. John Connor (D-Joliet) - How new members are preparing for their role in the Senate, the best advice they’ve received, and how their skills and values from previous jobs will translate to their work in the Senate.
The Diversity of the Black Experience moderated by Black Caucus Chair Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) with guests Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) and Sen. Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove) - A discussion about the Black experience in different regions of the state — downstate, suburban and city — and how that informs members’ work in the Senate.
Posts about the Senate Democratic caucus generally produce only a handful of comments. You’d think with 41 out of 59 seats they’d generate interest, but nope. I’ve already picked the over/under on this one.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:06 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Credit Unions: Myth Buster #1: Accessing Your Funds
Next Post: Former Sen. Sam McCann indicted on charges of fraud, money laundering and tax evasion
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Yea, I don’t foresee this getting much attention. That’s not necessarily the caucus’s fault…it’s just that people probably connect more with their representative/senator than they do the caucus they serve with. Elected officials generally have success when they move past the scripts, statements, and press conferences, and directly engage with constituents on social media. If the senators aren’t all doing that…there’s only so much caucus leadership can do about it.
Comment by NIU Grad Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:12 pm
Sounds like a good idea.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:17 pm
Just posting here to push the number over…kinda like running up the price on GameStop stock.
Comment by BC Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:19 pm
Rooting for the underdogs on the over/under comment guesses.
Comment by Thereal Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:22 pm
===Posts about the Senate Democratic caucus generally produce only a handful of comments.===
They are the “Ringo” of the Fab Four caucuses.
Everybody these days is doing a podcast…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:31 pm
I’m sorry, I clicked on this thinking it was a House post.
Comment by Third Reading Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:32 pm
Not really a strong hook if you ask me…
“In Session’ gives listeners a unique chance to hear about Senators’ decision making processes, the challenges they face, and their individual stories”
Good for the beltway folks - but really who else will listen?
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:32 pm
Weren’t you the guy who loved all the groovy techno stuff the HGOPies were doing on their way to the super minority? Shame on you
Comment by Annoin' Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:33 pm
=== Good for the beltway folks===
There’s a “beltway” in Springfield?
Maybe good for the folks hanging around the rail, waiting.
I’ll give it a listen, maybe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:39 pm
Not a bad idea considering most legislators have not been able to really do much in person interaction since Covid. Just another communication avenue.
Also here to screw up the over/under.
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:50 pm
OW, you’re not familiar with the I-55/Rt.4 beltway, now known as the Portillo’s Turnpike?
Comment by Third Reading Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:52 pm
Good job C section staff!
Comment by Rayne of terror Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:55 pm
Smart communications step, especially if they cover some fresh policy angles,. Good practice for the Senators as well.
Comment by west wing Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 3:59 pm
Just wanted to say I’m old and have yet to listen to a podcast. pretty sure this one won’t change that record.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:01 pm
I like the concept but it took me a while to find it because they are far from the first “in session” to appear when you search in Apple podcasts.
Comment by Chito Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:11 pm
I listened to it. It was interesting dialogue.
Comment by Zyrostokes Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:25 pm
They already have one
https://www.spreaker.com/show/ilsendems
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:25 pm
If it doesn’t have ads for mattresses, is it really a podcast?
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:29 pm
Have you hit the over/under yet Rich?
Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:37 pm
I’m interested and will definitely follow it on a regular basis.
But then, I listen to a lot - like, a lot - of podcasts. They’re a great innovation when conducted by skilled interviewers with knowledgeable interviewees.
Also I just wanted to say that I read all the posts here on the IL Senate.
Comment by dbk Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:37 pm
“Have you hit the over/under yet Rich?”
Curious minds want to know.
Comment by wolf Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:42 pm
I suspect this podcast will have a warning that you shouldn’t listen to it while driving or operating heavy machinery.
I guess good for them for sharing, but is there really much of an audience of people of wondering ‘what does a Illinois State Senator think about that’
On the other hand if it is done like Joe Rogan (I have listened to like 10 minutes of it) where the guest partake in substances legal in Illinois and offer more wacky opinions about UFOs I might tune in.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:51 pm
(cue intro)
DK: Welcome to the our first podcast. I’m your host, Dave Koehler. Joining me to co-host is Don Harmon.
DH: Today’s topic is “How we won.”
Our guest is new state senator Karina Villa.
DK: Senator Villa, how’d we win?
KV: Jim Obwerweis.
DH: Thanks for listening, everyone.
(cue closing credits)
VO: Join us for next week’s “Member Management” episode in which Don Harmon and guest Jim Durkin discuss what it’s like to run a 40-member caucus.
Comment by Third Reading Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 4:55 pm
I liked it — there are a lot of talented elected officials, and we don’t get much exposure to them engaging in longer discussions. Short first one but looking forward to the next one
Comment by Phineas Gurley Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 5:09 pm
Call me when Mike Maron hosts one…
Comment by Raza Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 5:18 pm
Read one description that said it would include Harmon on guitar every now and again. the music is what interests me.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 5:21 pm
Who’s gonna be the first to “erupt” mentos in a 2 liter bottle of coke?
Comment by Tik Tok Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 5:30 pm
I hope they can edit the description on Spotify: “”In Session” is a podcast hosted by Illinois Senate Democrats. The goal is to hear *conservations* moderated with and by state senators on the issues of the day, challenges the state faces, and their stories along the way.” At first glance I thought it was about hearing “conservative moderates”, very confusing.
Comment by KSDinCU Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 6:07 pm
“‘In Session’ gives listeners a unique chance to hear about Senators’ decision making processes, the challenges they face, and their individual stories.”
The value of any podcast is how information dense it is.
Do all of those topics come with a heavy dose of civics?
Comment by Odysseus Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 6:08 pm
Inside baseball + dull = zzzzzzzzzz.
Comment by Captain Obvious Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 7:11 pm
I will watch one or two. After that, zzzzzz. Like most podcast if it’s news worthy I will wait for the press to write about it.
That’s not a total slam of the idea but once I already see a summary I don’t bother looking at it. Unless it’s funny (Like Corona Money). Also a lot of time I am not in a position to listen even though I can watch.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 8:40 pm
I’ve just proposed listening to one of these podcasts as part of date night with my spouse.
Comment by Yooper in Diaspora Wednesday, Feb 3, 21 @ 11:05 pm
==If it doesn’t have ads for mattresses, is it really a podcast?
Please have Ricky Hendon do said ad.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:32 am