October 23, 2025/
WATCH: Pritzker to sign exec. order to ‘pursue accountability’ amid federal deployments
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop starts the program with tragic news of former Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren dying in a helicopter crash.
Bishop also delves into the latest filings to the U.S. Supreme Court about the Trump administration’s use of the National Guard in Illinois, reaction to Wednesday’s immigration enforcement actions in Little Village and President Donald Trump saying he will make Chicago safe.
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.
Latest News Stories
Advocates debate free speech, executive power over student deportations
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration’s use of expanded executive power to engage in deportation operations has drawn a mix of praise and criticism from legal experts. The...
Survey: Teachers not optimistic about the future of education
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Over 60% of teachers surveyed in the U.S. believe issues within education have gotten worse over the past two years, according to the Connecticut Education...
Congressman calls Patel a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the FBI
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square While Democrats contend that FBI Director Kash Patel is running the agency as a political “vengeance campaign" for the president, Patel defends his reforms and...
Arizona Senate leader seeks to rename highway after Kirk
By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square An Arizona state legislator wants to honor Charlie Kirk. Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, has announced his intentions to introduce a bill during the next...
Southern California events canceled because of ICE
By Dave MasonThe Center Square Riverside County is the latest Southern California area to see Mexican cultural events canceled because of concerns over possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids....
House committee to investigate nexus between CCP, ‘civil unrest’
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the country continues to be gripped by political division, a House committee is investigating possible Chinese ties to “civil unrest.” An investigation being conducted...
Report: Congress authorized $15 trillion in ’emergency’ deficit spending since 1991
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Over the past 35 years, Congress has used emergency funding rules to bypass budget controls and spend a cumulative $15 trillion, a new analysis reveals....
House Dems press Patel on handling of the Epstein files
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square House Democrats drilled down on FBI Director Kash Patel’s handling of the Epstein files during an FBI oversight hearing Wednesday, after their counterparts in the...
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire A suspect is in custody after two homes were damaged by...
WATCH: Governor candidate: Low-cost districts shine while most IL schools spend, fail
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a Republican candidate for Illinois governor, schools in the state can succeed without spending big....
Fed cuts rates after holding off for months amid tariff turmoil
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Reserve announced a quarter-percentage-point rate cut on Wednesday, after taking a wait-and-see approach to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. Wednesday's rate cut was...
WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − After previous attempts were unsuccessful, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may take executive action to address...
Exclusive: Laws exacerbate firearm instructors shortage
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A shortage of firearms instructors is continuing to cause chaos for many Colorado citizens, especially in light of recent gun laws for concealed carry licenses....