Alex Degman
Statehouse Reporter
Degman (which is actually what most people call him instead of ‘Alex’) reported from Springfield professionally from 2011 to 2015, preceded by Tri States Public Radio in Macomb (2009-2011) and followed by KMOX in St. Louis (2015-2022). Even in those non statehouse specific roles, he became a go to person for many things Illinois state government related.
Degman is a native of north suburban Northbrook and graduated from Glenbrook North High School in 2004, that’s where he caught the radio bug that never really went away. He graduated from Western Illinois University in 2008, which is where he caught the news bug that didn’t go away. Degman got his Master of Arts in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2009, where he caught the “reporting on Illinois public policy bug” that… well, you know.
Outside of work, Degman enjoys slowly working on the 1864 Lincoln-era home he purchased in Springfield’s Enos Park neighborhood (no, there aren’t ghosts that knew President Lincoln, much to his disappointment), attempting to cook, exploring local places to support and raising Louie, a black lab mix that is a handful and a half. Louie formed Degman’s unintentional tradition of naming his black labs after Venezuelan White Sox players: Louie is named after Luis Aparicio, the late Ozzie was named after Ozzie Guillen.
Stories by Alex Degman
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Matthew Brewer: Shepherding ‘grasshoppers’ through Illinois cannabis industry
Illinois’ first Black independently owned cannabis dispensary wants to change the way you think about weed.
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Illinois craft cannabis growers get much needed extension
Social equity craft growers get an extension to open, but financing their facilities is still a hurdle.
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From state regulations to finding financing, Illinois cannabis craft growers face multiple obstacles
Craft grower marijuana licenses are supposed to help Black and brown communities, yet only one business is open.
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Illinois House passes assault weapons ban, reproductive health bill
Alex Degman provides the latest from Springfield, where the Illinois House has passed an assault weapons ban and increased protections for abortion providers.
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Reforms to the SAFE-T Act and the debate around it
Despite approved revisions around the SAFE-T Act – a sweeping criminal justice reform bill – there was still plenty of opposition in the General Assembly.
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For social equity cannabis entrepreneurs, red tape and delays drag on
An Illinois lawmaker says the state needs a single government agency to simplify regulation of the legal cannabis industry.
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New charge filed against Mike Madigan as AT&T Illinois agrees to pay $23 million fine
Two major utilities serving Illinois residents have now been charged as a result of the years-long investigation that swirled around Madigan.
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Illinois voters will decide whether to enshrine the right to unionize in the state constitution
Proponents of the amendment say it preserves the right to organize. Critics warn it would lead to more expensive labor contracts.
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Toni Kukoc lawsuit alleges $11 million ‘looting’ by adviser and banker
The former Chicago Bull says he was kept in the dark as the alleged fraud took place for years.
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U.S. Rep. Mary Miller defeats fellow incumbent Rodney Davis
Miller wins the 15th Congressional District Republican primary, just days after she made a racially-charged gaffe saying the reversal of Roe v. Wade was a “victory for white life.”
