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.
Today Jun 17
75° 57°
Isolated Rain Showers
Latest News Stories
Chicago homelessness on rise; advocates push for change
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness City Policy Manager M Nelson is looking to change the way...
Partial government shutdown looms after funding deal failure
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. Senate failed to advance a package of the six remaining federal funding bills Thursday, leaving less than 40 hours until the federal government...
Lawmaker pushing bill to study insurance for gun owners
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gun rights advocates in Illinois are raising alarms over House Bill 43, legislation that would create...
Illinois lawmakers consider bill to restrict SNAP buys
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are considering legislation to limit what recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can...
Homan touts progress; vows Trump administration won’t back down on immigration
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square “Progress” is being made in Minnesota, Border Czar Tom Homan said during a news conference Thursday after being on the ground since Monday evening. Homan...
WATCH: Congressional seat at stake; Pritzker on Medicaid costs, school choice, ICE
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square's Greg Bishop continues to unpack data...
Illinois Quick Hits: Man charged with threatening ICE agents
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois man is charged with threatening to kill federal agents working for U.S. Immigration and Customs...
Sen. Amy Klobuchar announces run for Minnesota governor
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced Thursday morning that she will be running for Minnesota governor in the 2026 election cycle. This comes after current Gov....
EXCLUSIVE: Minnesota workers say leaders rejected years of fraud warnings
By Jared StrongThe Center Square Claims from current and former Minnesota state employees that have been vetted by state lawmakers allege their bosses ignored and rebuked fraud warnings for years,...
Remote marriage license bill faces skepticism from former clerk
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new Illinois proposal aimed at expanding access to marriage licenses for people with disabilities or...
Lawsuit: Illinois Dems can’t use state law to control the name ‘democrat’
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A group of Illinois Democrats who disagree with the power structure of their party on how to address transgender civil rights law...
Senators weigh American privacy risks in FBI Investigations
By Emily RodriguezThe Center Square The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Wednesday to consider the reauthorization of a surveillance tool that has improperly collected citizens' private conversations. The Foreign...
Illinois quick hits: John Deere to build in North Carolina
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square John Deere to build in North Carolina Illinois-based John Deere has announced that it will open new facilities in North Carolina...
