Joan Esposito is joined by Heartland Signal reporters Kori Skillman and Elinor Epperson for the weekly segment, Three Stories You Might Have Missed From Heartland Signal. 

The discussion covered political leadership and campaign-finance developments in Illinois, Michigan, and Congress, plus a Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment effort. Here are a few highlights from the conversation:
- Kori reported that Emanuel Chris Welch is stepping down as Illinois House speaker after 26 Democrats called for new leadership. Questions remain about the caucus’s response to the underlying workplace misconduct concerns and who will become the next speaker.
- She also discussed U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan’s rise to House Republican minority leadership and whether he will return to a more confrontational public style, after laying low in recent months.
- Elinor described a Michigan voter-approved restriction on political contributions by utilities and certain government contractors. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy sued, arguing the law violates free-speech protections.
- She also reported that Minnesota Democrats are renewing efforts to pass a broad Equal Rights Amendment, including protections related to gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes.

Catch "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/live-local-progressive).

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