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.

Dr. Erica Kaufman, an infectious disease specialist, and Rosslind Rice, a spokesperson for SIH join The Morning Newswatch to discuss the amount of people who have been affected by the flu so far during this winter season, and what you can do to keep yourself healthy.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs joins Tom Miller on the Morning Newswatch to discuss public hearings coming up Thursday in Carterville.