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.
Today Jun 18
80° 62°
Sunny
Latest News Stories
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield Board of Education for Jan. 26, 2026
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 The Casey-Westfield Board of Education met on Monday, January 26, 2026, to handle annual financial business and personnel matters. The Board...
Casey-Westfield FCCLA Ranked No. 1 in Region for Service Hours
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) has been recognized as the top school...
Senate Bill Secures $1 Million for Casey Sewer Improvements
Casey City Council Meeting | Feb. 2, 2026 Article Summary: Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee announced that a federal budget bill passed by the Senate includes $1 million in community...
EXCLUSIVE: 5 largest U.S. cities don’t have enough money to pay bills: report
By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The five largest cities in the United States, all led by Democrats, did not have enough money to pay their bills in 2024, according to...
INVESTIGATION: Wisconsin university closes DEI unit but keeps most staff working on equity issues
By Jared StrongThe Center Square After concerns were raised about spending on DEI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison shuttered a department but kept most of the staff and their titles working...
Board Approves Updated School Resource Officer Agreement
Casey-Westfield Board of Education Meeting | Jan. 26, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey-Westfield School Board approved an updated intergovernmental agreement with the City of Casey Police Department regarding the School...
Casey Advances Housing Strategy with Land Bank Transfers and Inspection Contract
Casey City Council Meeting | Feb. 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council has approved the transfer of vacant city-owned lots to the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority and...
Chicago’s $41 billion financial hole exposes city’s pension crisis
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago finished fiscal year 2024 with a $41.1 billion gap between the money it has available...
Trump seeks $1B from Harvard in federal funding dispute
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square President Donald Trump is now seeking a $1 billion payment from Harvard University as part of an effort to resolve an ongoing dispute with the...
Lawmakers react to U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop. 50
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are responding to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Wednesday to not hear an appeal challenging the...
WATCH: Senators slam fraud, call for welfare scrutiny in Minnesota
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. Senators on Wednesday called for more scrutiny over welfare payments and railed against allegations of fraud in Minnesota and across the country. The senators...
Nurses demand inclusion in professional degree definition
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The American Nurses Association is urging the public to call for nurses to be added back into the definition of “professional degrees” after the Trump...
Early voting starts Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday in most Illinois jurisdictions for the state’s Democratic and Republican...
