November 4, 2025/
WATCH: GOP U.S. Sen. candidate Tracy on shutdown, tariffs; state expands sanctuary
(The Center Square) – In today’s edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop talks live with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Don Tracy about the government shutdown, politics over immigration, the use of tariffs and more.
Bishop also reviews floor debate over a bill to expand the state’s migrant sanctuary policies on the Illinois House floor as the clock struck midnight into Halloween. Democrats say the measure reigns in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republicans worry it opens state and local police and various institutions up to civil lawsuits.
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
Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani...
Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case challenging state laws that allow ballots to be counted if they are received after...
Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined a petition on Monday to hear a case aimed at overturning the legalization of same-sex marriage. Kim Davis, a former...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to...
‘Code and Country’ report urges stronger U.S. response to China’s AI ambitions
By Tom JoyceThe Center Square China’s pursuit of artificial intelligence supremacy poses one of the greatest strategic threats in history, a new report from the Center for Security Policy warns....
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey City Council for November 03, 2025
Casey City Council Meeting | November 03, 2025 The Casey City Council addressed property blight, approved major financial items, and moved forward on key city projects during its first meeting...
Light at the end of the government shutdown tunnel
By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square U.S. Senate Republicans have offered Democrats a face-saving way out of the government shutdown: in exchange for support to reopen the government, Republicans will guarantee...
Everyday Economics: Is AI to blame for the layoffs – or a late-cycle hangover?
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – U.S. employers announced 153,074 job cuts in October – the worst October since 2003 – and headlines rushed to blame AI....
Deal close in U.S. Senate to reopen government
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square A deal is close to being struck in the U.S. Senate to resume funding the federal government, indicating the end of the shutdown is close....
DMV small businesses also bear brunt of Congress’ budget brawl
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square As Congress convenes for a rare Sunday session amid the ongoing shutdown, the capital region’s small business owners wait with baited breath. Besides federal workers,...
Legal experts split over state, federal immigration control
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The second Trump administration has been largely defined by strict immigration enforcement and net zero illegal border crossings. Amid the enforcement, legal policy analysts are...
Thousands of flights delayed, cancelled as shutdown rocks airports
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square More than 1,400 flights within, into or out of the U.S. were cancelled Sunday and more than 3,300 were delayed as staffing levels at airports...
Trump: Americans to receive $2,000 each from tariff revenue
By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday said every American with the exception of the wealthy will receive $2,000 from the revenue the U.S. has collected from...
