Politics News Roundup - October 13, 2023

Our weekly politics roundup recaps the latest from Washington and Springfield. 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Steve Scalise has ended his bid to become House speaker after failing to secure the votes to win the gavel. Scalise told GOP colleagues at a closed-door meeting late Thursday of his decision. Next steps are uncertain as the House is essentially closed while Republicans try to elect a speaker after ousting Kevin McCarthy from the job.

Capitol News Illinois - Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith will resign effective Dec. 31, he told colleagues in an all-staff town hall meeting Wednesday morning. For years, critics had called on Smith to resign or be fired, amid legislative hearings, contempt citations, a murdered child protection investigator and the highest number of children who died after contact with the agency in 20 years. 

GUESTS: 

Linda Kenyon

Illinois Public Media Washington, DC Reporter

Hannah Meisel

Capitol News Illinois

Beth Hundsdorfer

Capitol News Illinois