December 19, 2025/

WATCH: Commission makes ICE accountability referral; Rep says Pritzker wrong on prices

Spread the love

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(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.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits

WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Darby Maschoff

Starry Night

Darby Maschoff, daughter-in-law of Brian and Marla Maschhoff, brings a touch of classic art and color with her rendition of Van Gogh’s Starry Night to the southside of her in-laws’...
WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail

WATCH: Police officer, legislator: Seize opportunity to reform Illinois’ cashless bail

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Republicans want to change the state's no-cash bail law. Democrats say cashless bail is working. President...
WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’

WATCH: IL Hospital Association: $50B rural hospital fund ‘woefully inadequate’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues sounding the alarm over federal health care subsidies as the White House...
Casey Rotary Logo.2

Rotarian Shane Todd presents program at Rotary Club

Rotarian Shane Todd presented the program at Tuesday’s Rotary Club meeting at Richards Farm, updating Rotarians on the schedule of events for Casey’s 37th Annual Popcorn Festival over Labor Day...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

Illinois quick hits: Chicago businesses at 10-year low; school admin survey closes soon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago businesses at 10-year low The number of businesses operating in Chicago has reached a 10-year low. Citing city license data,...
Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes

Pritzker unveils Illinois LGBTQ hotline amid debate over transgender athletes

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Reports of a transgender student being accepted onto the Conant High School girls volleyball team has...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for July, 2025

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a nearly $60.8 million balanced operating budget and approved a new strategic plan at its meeting on July 14, 2025. The new...
Marine's mother takes on troop transport duties for family visits

Marine’s mother takes on troop transport duties for family visits

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square When Army Specialist Dakota Barnes considered flying home to California for Christmas last year, she knew she couldn't afford it without giving up her yearly...
Trump plans to clean up Democrat-run cities over local objections

Trump plans to clean up Democrat-run cities over local objections

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump plans to clean up major U.S. cities that he says are plagued by crime. Democrats see his plans to use military troops...
Lake Land College.5

Lake Land Seeks State Funding for Major Renovations to Four Campus Buildings

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has approved a funding request to the state for extensive renovations of four major campus buildings: the Northwest and Northeast Classroom...
Energy advocate applauds oil and gas commingling updates

Energy advocate applauds oil and gas commingling updates

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Oil and gas commingling rules have been updated in accordance with the Big Beautiful Bill in order to strengthen energy production and safety, with energy...
Texas legislature passes redistricting map, governor to sign into law

Texas legislature passes redistricting map, governor to sign into law

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square )The Center Squar) – The Texas Senate passed HB 4, the state’s congressional redistricting plan, which changes nearly all districts and could flip up to...
lake land college.3

Lake Land College Board Reviews Balanced $60.8 Million Operating Budget for FY 2026

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees reviewed a proposed balanced operating budget of $60,790,628 for fiscal year 2026. The budget, which reflects a slight decrease from the...