The Smithsonian Institution has a collection of political memorabilia dating back to America’s earliest elections. We’ll talk with one of the historians whose job includes collecting material from the present to preserve for future generations.

Chicago businessman and former University of Illinois Board of Trustees Chairman Chris Kennedy will join the Democratic race for Illinois Governor, and will file paperwork with the state later Wednesday. Kennedy made the announcement with a campaign website and annoucement on YouTube. The son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert Kennedy says in a statement that he loves Illinois and the state has "never been in worse shape.'' He says state government needs "fundamental change.''

As Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, House Speaker Michael Madigan ran the show for Illinois’ delegation last week at the Democratic National Convention. Madigan took some time before the convention wrapped up to sit down in Philadelphia with Illinois Public Radio Statehouse Bureau Chief Amanda Vinicky and WBBM radio's Craig Dellimore.

On the 21st: We heard members of the Illinois delegation from the floor at the Democratic National Convention. We also received recommendations for political books to add to your summer reading list and talked about Lollapalooza with Chicago musician Evan Weiss from the band "Into It. Over It."

The Illinois delegation had front-row seats at this week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. And several Illinoisans were in the spotlight, from members of Congress, to the nominee, former Chicago suburbanite Hillary Rodham Clinton.