October 8, 2025/

WATCH: Bondi, Durbin clash over Guard; Pritzker says he’s not a ‘conspiracy theory guy’

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 shares some of the verbal clash between Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi during a Judiciary Committee hearing over the issue of justification for the use of the National Guard in Chicago.

Bishop also shares some of the local officials’ executive actions taken this week in the face of disruptive protesters in Broadview and police responding to federal agents calls for help in Chicago.

Finally, Bishop highlights comments Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made about the use of the National Guard in Illinois, the status of the state’s lawsuit against the Trump administration, and Pritzker’s claim that President Donald Trump is aiming to interfere with the 2026 election.

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

Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

Illinois law mandates pharmacies to sell needles, sparking safety debate

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Governor has signed House Bill 2589, which requires pharmacists to sell sterile hypodermic needles...
Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

Report warns U.S. national debt predicted to pass $53 trillion by 2035

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square By fiscal year 2035, the national debt is set to surpass $53 trillion, or 120% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, according to a new...
Courts remain firm against unsealing grand jury records from Epstein trial

Courts remain firm against unsealing grand jury records from Epstein trial

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A second federal judge has denied the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury material from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 trial. New York-based...
White House TikTok garners 1.3 million views in 24 hours

White House TikTok garners 1.3 million views in 24 hours

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Within 24 hours of its debut, the first video posted to the new White House TikTok account has racked up more than 1.3 million views....
Newsom responds to Bondi's letter on sanctuary policies

Newsom responds to Bondi’s letter on sanctuary policies

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication to include additional comments from the U.S. Department of Justice. After California received a...
U.S., NATO military officials discuss Ukraine security guarantees

U.S., NATO military officials discuss Ukraine security guarantees

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square U.S. military leaders met with NATO defense chiefs on Wednesday to iron out details of security protections for Ukraine as part of a potential peace...
Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

Illinois quick hits: Governor bans school fines; Target fires hundreds over fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Governor bans school fines Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that bans schools from issuing fines or citations to students for...
Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

Industry advocates: More state regulation will drive insurance rates higher

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Insurance industry leaders are advising Illinois lawmakers that state regulation of rates will lead to higher costs...
Lawmakers, policy groups react to social media warning suit

Lawmakers, policy groups react to social media warning suit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Bill sponsors and public interest groups have been quick to respond to a lawsuit filed last week against Colorado, challenging a new law that would...
From Mexico to Knoxville, five cartel leaders wanted in drugs, weapons conspiracy

From Mexico to Knoxville, five cartel leaders wanted in drugs, weapons conspiracy

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Despite many arguing the border crisis is over because illegal entries at the southwest border have dropped to their lowest level in recorded history, border-related...
Trump administration pushes to remove noncitizen Medicaid enrollees

Trump administration pushes to remove noncitizen Medicaid enrollees

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is cracking down on noncitizens receiving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services....
Casey Meeting Aug 18.2

“Candy Canes on Main” Gets Green Light for Parade, Donation

Editor's Note: Casey Local incorrectly reported that council members approved a Beer Garden. However, the Beer Garden was only discussed and was not approved for Candy Canes on Main. Article...
Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

Public education budgets balloon while enrollment, proficiency, standards drop

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In return for soaring state spending on education, Illinois taxpayers are getting chronic absenteeism, poor academic proficiency...
Illinois news in brief: Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage; Giannoulias pushes for state regulation of auto insurance; State seeks seasonal snow plow drivers

Illinois news in brief: Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage; Giannoulias pushes for state regulation of auto insurance; State seeks seasonal snow plow drivers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Cook County evaluates storm, flood damage The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security is reviewing damage from the...
Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

Governor defends mental health mandate, rejects parental consent plan

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, who represents the 15th Congressional district in southeastern Illinois, is reintroducing legislation...