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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Illinois could be a national model for eliminating cash bail, but implementation is another test
The landmark decision clears the way for unprecedented criminal justice reform. Here’s how politicians, prosecutors and advocates responded.
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Highland Park’s mayor reflects on the mass shooting one year later
Nancy Rotering says the ongoing gun threat is pervasive and “harming us as a society.”
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The fine print of Illinois’ ban on book bans
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a measure that will withhold state funds from libraries that ban books. The move sparked a lot of questions.
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Illinois becomes the first state in the U.S. to ban book bans
Citing a “vitriolic strain of white nationalism,” Gov. JB Pritzker signed the measure withholding state grant money from libraries if they ban books.
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All-gender restrooms, bans on book bans and full-day kindergarten among the bills passed by Illinois lawmakers
The Democratic-controlled legislature sent a slew of bills to the governor showing their priorities for the state, in addition to the $50.4 billion spending plan. Here are some highlights.
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Illinois lawmakers miss deadline for spring legislative session
With the budget up for debate, lawmakers are returning to Springfield after missing a self-imposed deadline.
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Tax breaks for Bears punted to state legislature’s fall veto session
A legislative proposal to help the Bears pay for a new stadium and entertainment complex in Arlington Heights got its first hearing, but final action is still a ways away.
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A startup newspaper is helping an Illinois town avoid becoming a news desert
The Community News Brief is harnessing the journalism expertise that’s still in Macomb to fill the local news void.
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Employees with the Illinois House Speaker’s office seek union recognition
Employees have formed the Illinois Legislative Staff Association, but Speaker Welch won’t voluntarily recognize them.
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You could be the ‘Rockefeller of cannabis’ with these college courses
As Illinois’ legal pot industry and the demand for educated workers grow, schools and companies are collaborating on marijuana classes.
