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.
Today Jun 18
80° 62°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Denver City Council votes to ban masks on ICE agents
By Derek DraplinThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says it will not comply with a new Denver ordinance that bans law enforcement, including federal agents, from wearing...
Trump: U.S. Navy to provide escorts for tankers through Strait of Hormuz
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Over concerns that Iran is blocking vital tankers from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy will begin escorting...
Minnesota sues Trump administration over $243M Medicaid funding pause
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota announced Tuesday it is suing the federal government for withholding $243 million in Medicaid payments. State officials say the move puts health care coverage...
WATCH: Pritzker denies flying with Epstein
By Jim TalamontiThe Center Square Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he never met Jeffery Epstein and was never on a plane with the late sex offender. The governor made the...
Illinois Quick Hits: Alleged Sinaloa boss indicted
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted an alleged Sinaloa Cartel boss on drug, firearm and...
Coroners warn bill renaming fentanyl overdoses could distort death certificates
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers want to rebrand fentanyl deaths as “poisoning” instead of “overdose,” but coroners say the...
New missile attacks in Iran as Trump administration set to update Congress
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Israel and the U.S. launched new missile attacks into Iran on Tuesday as the Trump administration is set to brief members of the U.S. House...
Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago advances in bid for 2028 DNC
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago is one of five cities in the running to hold the 2028 Democratic National Convention. The...
Congressional Perks: Lawmakers billed taxpayers for limousine services
By Mark StricherzThe Center Square A number of U.S. representatives like to be driven in style, billing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars for limo service from their office accounts,...
Casey-Westfield Board Approves 3.5% Admin Raises, Hires New Band Director
Casey-Westfield School Board Meeting | Feb. 23, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board approved employment contracts and set salary increases for the district's administration for the upcoming fiscal year....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: City of Marshall City Council for February 23, 2026
City of Marshall City Council Meeting | February 23, 2026 The regular meeting of the City of Marshall City Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February...
Public school test scores continue to decline since pandemic
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Academic achievement in U.S. public schools continues to fall behind pre-pandemic levels, with national test data showing a persistent decline in math and reading scores...
Southwestern states react to U.S. airstrikes in Iran
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Politicians and others in the Southwest remain divided over U.S. airstrikes in Iran. The Operation Epic Fury strikes began over the weekend and were in...
