Alex Degman

Springfield

Statehouse Reporter at WBEZ-FM (Chicago, IL)

Statehouse reporter for @wbez and Illinois Public Radio. Former @kmoxnews anchor, WIU '08/UIS PAR '09, White Sox, Blues, he/him, thoughts are my own. 🏳️‍🌈

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Articles

Trial of Sean Grayson, ex-deputy at Sangamon County Sheriff's Office, moved to Peoria

2 weeks ago | nprillinois.org | Alex Degman

The trial of a white former police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a Black woman in Springfield is being moved. Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson’s case will happen in Peoria. Grayson’s attorneys say their client can’t get a fair trial in the capital city because of media coverage and a close knit community. Grayson appeared in court Tuesday wearing a striped jail uniform and didn’t face the audience, which was packed with Massey’s family and supporters.
Grayson's trial moved to Peoria

2 weeks ago | nprillinois.org | Alex Degman

The trial of a white former police officer charged with murder in the shooting death of a Black woman in Springfield is being moved. Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson’s case will happen in Peoria. Grayson’s attorneys say their client can’t get a fair trial in the capital city because of media coverage and a close knit community. Grayson appeared in court Tuesday wearing a striped jail uniform and didn’t face the audience, which was packed with Massey’s family and supporters.
State Week: Durbin's decision

3 weeks ago | nprillinois.org | Sean Crawford |Alex Degman

U.S. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois angered many within his party as he helped Republicans avoid a government shutdown this month. His support to end debate allowed the GOP to proceed to a final vote. Durbin, 80, has long been a respected figure within the party. But the Senate Democratic Whip was already facing calls to step aside when his term ends after the 2026 election. Now many progressives are turning up the heat.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared a “full force of government” response to Trump's deportation efforts

2 months ago | wbez.org | Alex Degman

He and the state legislature have a big task – tackling a multi-billion dollar deficit before the end of this fiscal year while trying to find enough money to pay for critical needs and services. WBEZ’s Alex Degman talked with Ralph Martire, executive director of the non-profit Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. That was Ralph Martire, executive director of the non-profit Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, speaking with WBEZ’s Alex Degman.
The art of creating Chicago’s traffic reports

Jan 22, 2025 | wbez.org | Andrew Meriwether |Erin Allen |Alex Degman |Susie An

Editor’s note: This story originally published in Jan. 18, 2024. The accompanying podcast episode answers several traffic-related questions, including how city traffic lights are timed and why construction on I-90/I-94 happens the way it does. Chances are if you’ve heard a Chicago-area traffic report on the radio in the past twenty years, Mike Pries helped put it together. He works for Total Traffic and Weather Network, which manages a traffic database used by nearly every local news outlet.
Madigan’s four days on the witness stand

Jan 15, 2025 | wbez.org | Mike Puente |Alex Degman |Dave McKinney

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s high-stakes legal gambit to testify in his federal corruption trial is now over. Generally, criminal defendants are dissuaded from testifying in their own trial, but Madigan defied that conventional legal wisdom. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney has been at this trial since October, and he joins Morning Edition host Melba Lara to break down Madigan’s four days on the witness stand.
How a fire-breathing dragon came to Illinois

Jan 15, 2025 | wbez.org | Alex Degman |Susie An |Erin Allen |Mary Hall

World’s largest ball of twine; the state’s biggest rocking chair; “mystery spots.” For many drivers, roadside attractions are a much-welcome stop on an otherwise long and monotonous road trip. But they are so much more for Violet Fox, who was born in Decatur and has an extra appreciation for Illinois’ lesser-known landmarks. “I love getting out and seeing all of these really fun, unique, beautiful, exciting, interesting, kitschy things that we have around the state,” Fox said.
The state of Illinois may soon get a new flag

Jan 14, 2025 | wbez.org | Mike Puente |Alex Degman |Mike Davis |Mawa Iqbal

Members of the public have submitted nearly 5,000 designs to the state flag commission ranging from stars and stripes, to Abraham Lincoln shooting lasers out of his eyes. The commission — made up of 21 artists, educators, historians and Illinois fans — has whittled the pool down to their top 10 picks. WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal sat down with commissioner Will Stephens to learn more.
A new book details East Chicago's rough and tumble history

Jan 13, 2025 | wbez.org | Alex Degman |Mike Davis |Michael Puente

There's been a lot of talk about steel production over the past week with President Biden blocking the purchase of US steel by a Japanese company. Steel making has always been the bread and butter industry in Northwest Indiana. It's what attracted thousands of immigrants to the city of East Chicago. A new book details the city's rough and tumble history and what made it a beacon for those coming near and far, by Joseph S. Pete.
'MUNCH,' 'BICHIN,' 'JAGWEED' are some of the vanity plates rejected by Illinois Secretary of State last year

Jan 8, 2025 | wbez.org | David Struett |Tina Sfondeles |Jon Seidel |Alex Degman

“JAGWEED,” “BADARSE” and “AXEHOLE.”These are just a few of the more than 300 requests for personalized vanity plates that were denied in 2024 by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. The office shared only a few of the 335 plate requests that were rejected for being offensive or inflammatory.