December 1, 2025/
WATCH: Johnson responds to Trump; Migrant rental assistance urged; Credit card oversight
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest comments from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in response to President Donald Trump’s criticism of elected officials’ handling of public safety in Illinois.
Bishop also gives perspectives from both sides of the issue of immigration enforcement and rental assistance for noncitizen migrants that advocates say are too afraid to leave their homes.
Finally, Bishop shares comments from Illinois state Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, about several pieces of legislation he filed to provide more oversight on local governments’ use of taxpayer funded credit cards and a prohibition of using taxpayer dollars for guaranteed income programs.
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.
Today Jun 12
83° 66°
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Gun rights advocate questions Illinois ballistic imaging plan
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A newly introduced measure in the Illinois General Assembly aimed at expanding ballistic imaging technology is...
Beasley Allen booted from looming talc trial in Chicago
By John O’Brien | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Judges in Miami and Chicago have revoked permission that allowed the firm Beasley Allen to pursue talc lawsuits because it collaborated with...
Illinois Quick Hits: Gas prices rise again
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in Illinois has jumped 14 cents in one...
Illinois pauses redistricting effort after Supreme Court ruling
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois has paused a legislative redistricting effort after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday, but Gov....
U.S. gas prices at 4-year high as oil exports hit new record
By Alton Wallace | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – United States gasoline prices pushed higher for the sixth consecutive day Wednesday, reaching $4.23 a gallon, as...
Government leaders statewide call for cashless bail reform after CPD officer killed
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Critics on both sides of the aisle in Illinois government are calling for changes to the SAFE-T...
Early Run Support Lifts Casey-Westfield Past Dieterich Baseball, 9-2
The Casey-Westfield varsity baseball team utilized a relentless 14-hit offensive attack to defeat host Dieterich 9-2 in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon. Casey-Westfield set the tone immediately, jumping out...
Freshman Ava Leo Powers Mattoon Softball Past Casey-Westfield, 11-8
The Mattoon varsity softball team utilized a potent offensive attack and a resilient complete-game pitching performance by freshman Ava Leo to secure an 11-8 non-conference home victory over Casey-Westfield on...
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker announces new IBM investment at Quantum Park
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says IBM’s new delivery center at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, fueled by...
ISU’s union says it cheaper to negotiate than paying
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois State University support employees have entered their fourth week on strike this week as more state...
Iran conflict, refinery disruption play roles as Illinois gas price passes $4.50
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gas prices have surged in Illinois, and an American Automobile Association spokesperson says several factors are to...
Illinois Quick Hits: Ex-East St. Louis librarian sentenced for fraud, theft
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The former director of the East St. Louis public library has been sentenced to 15 months in...
Building Reports Highlight Testing Triumphs, Historic Track Records, and Career Exploration
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: Building administrators delivered comprehensive academic reports to the Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday, highlighting state testing completions, athletic milestones,...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for April 20, 2026
Casey City Council Meeting | April 20, 2026 The Casey City Council convened on Monday, April 20, 2026, for a meeting heavily focused on municipal infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, and personnel...
Casey-Westfield Board Approves Nearly $100,000 for Monroe Elementary Technology Upgrades
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | April 20, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield Board of Education on Monday approved extensive equipment and maintenance expenditures, headlined by a $98,167 technology purchase to...