August 15, 2025/
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Friday Aug. 15th, 2025
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks with gun rights advocate Todd Vandermyde about the latest filing from the state defending Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court. Read the filing here.
Bishop also provides highlights from Republican Day at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, from stage speeches and off-stage conversations with candidates and elected officials.
Finally, Bishop shares the latest back and forth in the debate over congressional maps as Texas Democrats may be heading back to the Lone Star State to face off with Republicans looking to give the GOP more seats in Congress.
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.
Part 1
Part 2
Today Jun 17
75° 58°
Partly Sunny
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Kelly to vote against funding Homeland Security
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly has announced he will vote "no" for the Department of Homeland Security budget this week following the fatal shootings in Minneapolis....
Census projections show red states to see gains in U.S. House seats, electoral college
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Several blue states appear set to lose electoral college votes while red states will make sweeping gains, new data from the U.S. Census Bureau suggests....
Chicago mayor visits D.C., considers order to prosecute federal agents
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is considering an executive order that would allow for prosecution of...
‘GO ICE’ social media post sparks GOP-Dem clash in Illinois
By Cat Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Democratic and Republican lawmakers clashed this week after a West Chicago teacher was placed on administrative...
Illinois Quick Hits: Water rates could rise
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois American Water has filed a request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to raise customer rates in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Clark County Board for Dec. 19, 2025
The Clark County Board met on Friday, Dec. 19, to handle a variety of end-of-year business, including zoning issues, HR staffing, and highway maintenance funding. In addition to approving a...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for Dec. 8, 2025
Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | Dec. 8, 2025 The Lake Land College Board of Trustees met on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Mattoon to finalize business for...
Three Democrats seeking Illinois U.S. Senate seat debate in Chicago
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Immigration and taxation policies are front and center for Democratic Party candidates seeking to replace Illinois U.S....
California legislators react to ICE’s fatal shooting of citizen
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square In reaction to Saturday's fatal shooting of an American citizen in Minnesota by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, California lawmakers are introducing legislation designed...
Senate Judiciary to hear Minnesota fraud allegations
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hear new accusations regarding the Minnesota fraud scandal investigation. The hearing, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, will likely...
Trump: Minnesota fraud, riots linked
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As protests continue in Minneapolis after the Saturday shooting death of a city resident by an immigration officer, the Trump administration is blaming local and...
WA leaders intensify opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts
By TJ MartinellThe Center Square Washington state elected officials are intensifying their opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts following the shooting of a protester in Minnesota by Immigration and Customs...
WATCH: Trump, Walz speak; White House puts demands on Minnesota leaders
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As tensions continue to rise in Minneapolis and immigration officials ratchet up enforcement, President Donald Trump announced a potential breakthrough in a stalemate between Trump...
Police group urges White House to convene law enforcement officials to work together
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a second fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving immigration officials, a prominent law enforcement organization is urging the White House to bring together local, state...
