December 18, 2025/
WATCH: Pritzker reacts to Trump’s address; Immigration enforcement continues
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from Wednesday evening primetime address to the nation from President Donald Trump and Gov. J.B. Pritzker‘s reaction.
Bishop also jumps into the latest 24 hours of continued immigration enforcement in the Chicagoland area, including an interaction between immigration enforcement official Gregory Bovino and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. This comes as the Illinois Accountability Commission prepares to meet today to provide an avenue for people to provide testimony about the impacts immigration enforcement.
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.
⚠️ Tornado Watch issued June 17 at 7:49AM CDT until June 17 at 3:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
⚠️ Wind Advisory issued June 17 at 1:55AM CDT until June 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jun 16
84° 66°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
GOP stands up for U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump and the Pentagon show no signs of changing course on using military strikes to destroy suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. "We...
IL lawmakers could address energy prices, transit, taxes during veto session
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session begins Tuesday, and taxes are expected to be part of...
Council Approves Over $86,000 in Infrastructure Contracts
Article Summary: The Casey City Council awarded three separate contracts totaling over $86,000 for sidewalk replacement, city-wide tree removal, and stump grinding. The winning bids were selected from multiple submissions...
Trump says US troops will get paid Oct. 15 despite funding lapse
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Saturday that America's 1.3 million military service members will get paid on Oct. 15 despite a congressional budget lapse that led...
$4.5B awarded in new contracts to build Smart Wall along southwest border
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Roughly $4.5 billion in contracts have been awarded to expand border wall construction, including adding advanced technological surveillance along the southwest border. Ten new construction...
Do No Harm expects FTC to take action to protect minors from transgender procedures
By Tate MillerThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – After submitting comments to the Federal Trade Commission's public inquiry on how the child transgender industry has harmed and deceived...
2024 was deadliest year for journalists on record
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Last year was the deadliest year for journalists on record, with the Gaza Strip being the deadliest location, according to multiple reports. Totals vary depending...
Govt shutdown raises concerns over national security
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square As partisan divides appear to deepen and prolong the partial government shutdown, bipartisan lawmakers said they are concerned about national security effects of the funding...
Ex-speaker Madigan to begin 7.5-year prison sentence Monday
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – One day before the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session is scheduled to begin, one of the...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey Township Library Board of Trustees for September 4, 2025
Casey Township Library Board of Trustees Meeting | September 4, 2025 The Casey Township Library Board took a major step toward a future expansion on Thursday, September 4, 2025, by...
Casey to Demolish Dilapidated Downtown Building for $42,120
Article Summary: The Casey City Council has awarded a $42,120 contract to Dirt Work Incorporated for the demolition of a dangerous and unsafe building at 204 S. Central. The city...
Trump says new 100% tariff on China as trade war escalates
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Friday said imports from China will face a new 100% tariff "over and above" existing import taxes on the world's second-largest...
Arizona congressman calls for end to government shutdown
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wants Democrats to “come to their senses” and end the government shutdown. Hamadeh told The Center Square that Democrats’ reasons...
