September 25, 2025/
Illinois in Focus: Candidate urges civil debate around ICE; state spends 43% more; mandatory voting
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares comments from Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski, state Sen. Ram Villivalam, D-Chicago, and Vice President J.D. Vance about public safety around immigration enforcement.
Bishop also delves into recent analysis by The Center Square’s investigative team about the increased state spending of tax dollars under the Pritzker administration and reaction from legislators on both sides of the aisle.
Finally, Bishop shares debate from an Illinois House Ethics and Elections Committee about the ideas around mandatory voting and consolidating local elections.
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.
Events
Latest News Stories
Newsom, Bonta vow suit over National Guard deployment
By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Editor's note: This story has been updated since its initial publication. Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed concerns that President Donald Trump is sending federal agents to...
U.S. nuclear stockpile hit with shutdown furloughs
By Liam HibbertThe Center Square All 68 federal employees at a Nevada nuclear stockpile site were furloughed in the wake of the U.S. government shutdown. Some contractors remain at the...
Spokane police chief ordered officers not to work with FBI after June 11 protest
By Tim ClouserThe Center Square Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall directed officers not to work with the FBI in the days following the June 11 immigration protests, according to records...
Treasury sanctions Russian oil companies, calls for ceasefire
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against two Russian oil companies on Wednesday. The department cited Russia's "lack of serious commitment" to ending the war...
DOJ: Illegal immigrant charged with assault
By Dave MasonThe Center Square An illegal immigrant from Mexico was expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday following an arrest in which he rammed law enforcement vehicles before...
Manufacturing advocate: ‘Follow the actions’ with Pritzker on taxes
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he prefers growing the economy over raising taxes, but a small and midsize...
Illinois quick hits: National Guard restraining order extended; economic growth above trend
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square National Guard restraining order extended Following an agreement between the state of Illinois and the federal government, U.S. District Court Judge...
US and Qatar say EU climate regulations could impact LNG supplies
By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Energy is urging the heads of State in the European Union (EU) to repeal or significantly change climate regulations adopted in...
U.S. debt tops $38 trillion for first time
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. national debt reached $38 trillion amid a partial federal government that costs taxpayers $400 million daily to pay furloughed federal workers to stay...
Trump defends tariffs, tells beef producers to lower prices
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Cattle producers called on President Donald Trump to reverse course on a plan to import beef from Argentina as prices for the grocery store staple...
VA secretary pleads with Democrats to end the shutdown
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As part of a visit to the Washington, D.C., veterans’ medical center Wednesday, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins publicly urged Democrats in Congress...
WATCH: Pritzker opposes redistricting Illinois mid-cycle as other states move forward
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The prospect of Illinois legislators changing the state’s congressional maps before the 2026 election seems unlikely with...
Record-long govt shutdown threatens food, early childhood education assistance
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Democrats are set to block Republicans’ government funding bill for the 12th time Wednesday, keeping the federal government shut down despite tens of millions...
