August 7, 2025/

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 7th, 2025
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop continues his coverage on the ongoing debate around redistricting congressional districts with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s latest comments and reaction from Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain.
Watch the full program below. 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.
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