December 19, 2025/
WATCH: Commission makes ICE accountability referral; Rep says Pritzker wrong on prices
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop provides moments and reaction from and around the first Illinois Accountability Commission hearing. Appointees of Gov. J.B. Pritzker heard testimony and public comment about the impact of federal immigration enforcement in a state with migrant sanctuary policies.
Bishop also shares more perspective from legislators on both sides of the aisle about prices and the policies that drive them, and the cost of energy with Illinois lawmakers discussing policies around planned coal and natural gas plant closures and the focus on alternatives like battery storage.
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.
⚠️ Flood Watch issued June 20 at 1:45AM CDT until June 22 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lincoln IL
Today Jun 19
81° 63°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Analysis: Trump’s proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump has again floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 from tariff revenue, but a new analysis suggests the import taxes won't bring...
Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani...
Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case challenging state laws that allow ballots to be counted if they are received after...
Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined a petition on Monday to hear a case aimed at overturning the legalization of same-sex marriage. Kim Davis, a former...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to...
‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square China’s pursuit of artificial intelligence supremacy poses one of the greatest strategic threats in history, a new report from the Center for Security Policy warns....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for November 03, 2025
Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 The Casey City Council addressed property blight, approved major financial items, and moved forward on key city projects during its first meeting...
Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans have offered Democrats a face-saving way out of the government shutdown: in exchange for support to reopen the government, Republicans will guarantee...
Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts in October – the worst October since 2003 – and headlines rushed to blame AI....
Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A deal is close to being struck in the U.S. Senate to resume funding the federal government, indicating the end of the shutdown is close....
DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As Congress convenes for a rare Sunday session amid the ongoing shutdown, the capital region’s small business owners wait with baited breath. Besides federal workers,...
Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The second Trump administration has been largely defined by strict immigration enforcement and net zero illegal border crossings. Amid the enforcement, legal policy analysts are...
Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square More than 1,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were cancelled Sunday and more than 3,300 were delayed as staffing levels at airports...
