August 8, 2025/

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 8th, 2025

Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop covers the latest in the fight over redistricting with an Illinois state senator joining Texas House Republicans to have warrants from the Lone Star State to be recognized in Illinois and Gov. J.B. Pritzker responding to the FBI getting involved.

Bishop also shares the latest polling data from Illinois Policy that shows Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker underwater in favorability for the first time as he heads into a bid for a third term as governor. Republican state Rep. Chris Miller says Pritzker is vulnerable.

Finally, Bishop shares some highlights from the ribbon cutting for the 2025 Illinois State Fair, which features $140 million in upgrades and taxpayer investments for the fairgrounds.

Watch the full program below. Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Analysis: Homelessness predicted to rise despite policy efforts

Analysis: Homelessness predicted to rise despite policy efforts

By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square Homelessness is predicted to rise, while policies predicted to lower the homeless numbers only address part of the cause, according to analysts. The annual Point-In-Time...
Bachelor’s at Illinois community colleges may widen access, affordability

Bachelor’s at Illinois community colleges may widen access, affordability

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Community colleges in Illinois could soon offer Bachelor’s degree programs to Illinois residents. Officials, lawmakers and students...
Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

Iran reverses course, closes Strait of Hormuz

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Less than 24 hours after Iran and President Donald Trump touted the Strait of Hormuz open, the Islamic Republic has reportedly reversed course, closing the...
Los Angeles school district seeks state's money for pay hikes

Los Angeles school district seeks state’s money for pay hikes

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square The Center Square) - The Los Angeles Unified School District managed to avoid a strike this week after reaching 11th-hour agreements with three unions. Now...
Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

Congress kicks off government funding process for 2027

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Six months out from fiscal year 2027, U.S. lawmakers are making progress on the annual 12 appropriations bills that will fund the federal government. The...
Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire's tax

Seattle affordable housing goal elusive despite millionaire’s tax

By Randy DiamondThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- Seattle’s own version of Washington State's planned tax on millionaires is aimed at businesses with millionaire employees, but the goal of...
Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

Illinois Quick Hits: Teachers union says CPS to bus students to rally

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools leaders have agreed to transform the school day on...
Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

Pritzker says of BUILD Plan for homes would not cost taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ramped up his campaign for new housing in Illinois, and he expects taxpayers...
Casey Westfield Softball Graphic

Hermann’s Two-Way Dominance Propels Robinson Past Casey-Westfield 3-1

Senior Eva Hermann delivered a dominant two-way performance, tossing a complete-game gem and launching a crucial home run to lead the Robinson varsity softball team to a 3-1 road conference...
Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

Illinois GOP aims to keep power plants open, increase charge transparency

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As closure of coal and natural gas powered energy plants loom, a group of GOP lawmakers have...
Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

Inspector: Chicago finance department lacks tools to collect $8.1 billion owed

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s inspector general says the city is owed at least $8.1 billion and lacks the tools to...
Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

Congress passes FISA Section 702 stopgap after 18-month extension fails in House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate has adopted the House’s 10-day extension of the expiring Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, leaving Republican leadership less than...
Casey Westfield Baseball Graphic

Five-Run Fifth Inning Propels Casey-Westfield Past Robinson 7-3

The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team capitalized on a massive five-run fifth inning and a steady offensive attack to secure a 7-3 home conference victory over Robinson on Thursday afternoon. Casey-Westfield's...

Illinois lawmakers seek to eliminate state diversity commission

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) -- An Illinois state commission has failed its mission to aid businesses owned by racial minorities, women and...
Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

Republican efforts to impeach Walz, Ellison fail in Minnesota

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Republican efforts to impeach lead Democrats in Minnesota ran aground this week following a partisan deadlock in committee. The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee...