Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) joins The Morning Newswatch.

Harrisburg mayor Dale Fowler is running for State Senate District 59. He joined Tom Miller in the studio to discuss the senate race, the issue regarding coal power and the impact of unit and mine closures, and the effect of the state impasse that's been left on the Harrisburg school district among many other topics.

State Rep. John Bradley joins us to talk about the recent downgrade in Illinois' finances from Standard and Poor's and the lack of progress on fracking.