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
82° 63°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: Notices of affected flights; injunction issued over ICE force
By The Center SquareThe Center Square Notices of affected flights Chicago-based United Airlines is promising to let passengers know “as soon as possible” if their flights are affected by the...
Evers, Grisham fly to Brazil for climate change summit as government remains shut down
By Tate MillerThe Center Square In the midst of the ongoing government shutdown, a number of Democrat governors, mayors and other officials are flying to Brazil climate change convenings. Founder...
Upcoming mass flight cancellations worry U.S. air travelers
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With dozens of major U.S. airports reducing their flight volumes starting Friday, travelers will see droves of flights cancelled nationwide for the duration of the...
Pritzker watching redistricting debate as GOP grapples with filibuster
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In the aftermath of Tuesday’s elections in other parts of the country, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is...
Trump administration finds SNAP fraud
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking to root out fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as...
WATCH: Trump says tariffs may cost Americans ‘something’ but keep U.S. safe
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Thursday Americans should be thankful for his tariffs, which he said he has used to end wars that Americans would otherwise...
Chicago mayor: IL legislature has ‘more work to do’ on tax increases
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to see more tax increases from the Illinois General Assembly, but a...
Chicago pension, debt services costs among highest in country
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago’s budget has grown by nearly 40% since 2019 with the biggest increased expenditure going toward...
Casey City Council Takes Action on Blighted Properties, Rewards Redevelopment
Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 Article SummaryThe Casey City Council approved resolutions to declare two residential properties dangerous and unsafe, initiating a process that could lead to...
WATCH: DCFS still looking for missing children numbers; Pritzker on elections results
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage...
Illinois quick hits: DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions; Garcia explains retirement decision
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS ordered to address ICE facility conditions A U.S. District Court judge in Chicago has issued a temporary restraining order directing...
Congressional Perks: Luxury cars and mileage result in big costs for taxpayers
By Arthur Kane | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Reps Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and David Scott, D-Ga., have each had taxpayers pay as much as...
Illinois quick hits: $20 million for Alton housing project; alleged migrant assaults reported
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square $20 million for Alton housing project Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority announced the opening of a $20...
